Tauno Jaara (FinDoor Oy) and Janne Lahdenperä (OT-Kumi Oy) have been working together for decades.

 

Folding doors and special sealing profiles from the same neighbourhood

FinDoor manufactures folding doors for industrial and professional use. It is the biggest folding door manufacturer in Finland. By the same road in Ii, Oulu Region, come their doors’ special sealing profiles.

OT-Kumi and FinDoor have been in cooperation for decades. Tauno Jaara, CEO and founder of FinDoor, started it with the founder of OT-Kumi, Veikko Lahdenperä in 1989. Now OT-Kumi is led by Janne Lahdenperä, Veikko’s son.

Folding doors are the main branch of FinDoor, but they started as a transport company in 1989. The company did not find doors good enough for their garages, so they started making them. Soon others in need of doors found it out and wanted their doors as well. Since 1998 FinDoor has been operating mainly in door manufacturing. FinDoor doors are for industrial use and perfect for challenging environments. FinDoor manufactures doors for example for farms, fire stations, factories, and distribution centres.

OT-Kumi manufactures all the sealing profiles FinDoor needs. The experts design and manufacture special seals for industrial use and construction. The sealing profiles are tailored for every customer’s unique needs. The joint design process with the customer and the experts of OT-Kumi ensures an excellent specificity.

 

Installing the window’s seals quickly and easily before installing the glass.

 

Strength: cooperation in design process

The close location of the manufacturers creates many benefits. The transport costs are minimal. The efficiency is on its own level. The two companies design and test their products together. The other’s needs are well known. OT-Kumi designs new profiles constantly and FinDoor’s new manufacturer in Canada gets all the sealing profiles needed from OT-Kumi.

Today, FinDoor manufactures over 3,000 doors per year and all of them get their special sealing profiles from OT-Kumi. OT-Kumi also manufactures metal parts as a subcontractor for FinDoor.

“The quality is good, and the products perfect for us”, FinDoor’s Tauno Jaara states.

 

Folding doors get their seals installed manually after which the seals are cut in the right size. The doors also have lathed metal parts manufactured by OT-Kumi.

 

Family companies running full speed

OT-Kumi is a family company that employs already a third generation Lahdenperä, Janne’s son. Total number of employees is 25. FinDoor employs 48 persons in Finland.

OT-Kumi has developed their machinery during pandemic, and there is again a new machine coming.

“Now we have even better machines to produce cut-to-size objects”, Janne Lahdenperä explains. The company has also introduced a 3D printer in their production. The 3D printing helps enhancing the quality control and modelling. Economical and easily made test jigs help minimise the material loss.

OT-Kumi has grown their office personnel and invests in quality system and an investment project. Janne Lahdenperä adds: “The time has been challenging but we are running full speed as usual!”

 

3D printed mould that tests the product’s quality.

Interview and text: Veera Kiurujoki, Design Inspis
Photos: Jenina Bomström, Design Inspis