Company story of VSJ-Steel Oy

The company started its operations in 2018 as a personnel agency. In January 2021, the company expanded its job description when Pekka Aittakallio was hired as foreman and Päivi Nykänen as project manager for the workshop located in Ahtiala, Lahti. When the first project was sold, employees also had to be hired. This is how VSJ-Steel Oy, which makes medium and heavy welding assemblies, started.

"We sat there with Peka for the first few weeks, in an empty factory calling around and offering welding, even though there was no information about welders at that point," says Päivi. "Nevertheless, the work started quickly and soon there was already a lot of noise going on in the workshop."

Ahtiala's workshop quickly became small, and already in October 2021 the operation was moved to Hollola's Keskikankaantie in the Salpakkanka business area. In connection with the move, VSJ-Steel got a wet paint shop in its own premises. This, as well as the shot blasting of a neighboring partner, made it possible for the company to finally be able to offer its customers all of its welded products also with surface treatment. The cooperation with the companies in the surrounding areas is otherwise strong in VSJ-Steel's everyday life.

"According to my own experience, the companies in the nearby areas really cooperate with each other. We also try to buy all the subcontracting we need as close as possible to Hollola. Similarly, some of our customers are just around the corner. It works great when we help each other." Pekka states.

During its two years of operation, VSJ-Steel has grown its turnover explosively. The company's goal at the moment is to establish its position among subcontractors in the metal industry and increase its profit. There are many kinds of development projects underway, the goal of which is clear: "We want to hold on to our customers and offer them high-quality welding results in a cost-effective and customer-oriented way," sums up Päivi.

VSJ-Steel does not have its own products, but manufacturing is always based on the customer's pictures, according to the customer's needs. Every project is different and that keeps the work meaningful and challenging. Sometimes the hall is filled with containers over ten meters long, sometimes there are smaller subassemblies under work. Two 10t cranes enable the production of even large pieces. The needs of the construction industry are also taken into account in our production.

"We meet the requirements for load-bearing structures made of steel in class EXC1 and EXC2, which means that the quality of our steel assemblies complies with EN 1090-1+A1 CE marking." Pekka tells. "Furthermore, our painters are trained in fire protection. There are not many such painters in Finland."

"It's really satisfying to employ enthusiastic and forward-looking people, and to help skilled foreign-speaking welders get into the working life in Finland," states Juri Koivistoinen enthusiastically. "Hopefully we will be able to help many more!"