T-DRILL has developed machines, tools and technology that are exported globally. The Ostrobothnian company is experiencing strong growth and will soon expand its operations into a new production hall in Laihia.
Traditionally, skilled welders are required when joining metal pipes, along with a lot of expertise and time. A good example is the manufacturing of the part shown in the adjacent picture.
The traditional method may require ten welded joints to manufacture: five pipes, four flanges (discs) and two T-fittings to be assembled.
“A welder may spend up to 7 hours and 20 minutes on this task,” says Jouni Matikainen, CEO of T-DRILL.
Using T-DRILL’s methods and machines, it is possible to reduce the working time to 1 hour and 5 minutes. Only two weld joints and three pipes are needed.
– For many of our customers, the same work step is repeated 10,000 times a year, so the savings in both time and money are significant.
At the same time, having fewer parts to keep track of reduces logistics costs and provides environmental benefits.
Both small and large machines
In short, T-DRILL develops and manufactures machines and equipment for pipe processing. The company has developed techniques and machinery for tube-end forming, internal welding, collaring and chipless cutting, among other skills.
The smallest tools sold by T-DRILL are handheld and mobile, while the largest machines can be over ten metres long. Most of the machines can be installed within 3-5 square metres on shop floors across various industries.
Strong Ostrobothnian player
T-DRILL is an Ostrobothnian company with its headquarters in Laihia and machining facilities in Isokyrö. The company is growing and will soon expand its operations with a new production hall in Maunola, Laihia.
The municipality of Laihia is building a new hall where T-DRILL will rent approximately 1,000 square metres. The new hall is expected to be completed in May, and T-DRILL will use the new facility for production and assembly.
“Next year we expect to hire 5-10 new employees,” says CEO Jouni Matikainen.
In Finland, T-DRILL employs approximately 100 people, 15 percent of whom work in service and support roles. Service personnel travel extensively to install, commission and service the growing number of T-DRILL machines operating around the world.
T-DRILL’s customers represent a wide range of industrial sectors where different types of pipe systems and solutions form an important part of the business. Keimo Kalliosaari, CEO of Leinolat Group, lists the HVAC sector, shipbuilding and the automotive industry, as well as operations requiring process pipelines and water systems as clear examples of T-DRILL solutions in the field.
“Data centres are also a growing segment,” says Keimo Kalliosaari.
At the forefront globally
A full 98 percent of T-DRILL’s products are exported to more than 50 countries, of which North America and Europe are major markets. The company has long been active in Asia as well and sees growth potential there, as well as in its home markets in Finland and the rest of the Nordic region.
While T-DRILL works extensively with dealers, in Atlanta, USA, the company has its own subsidiary, which handles both the service and sales in that region.
T-DRILL products and technology are at the forefront of the world. Approximately 5 percent of the company’s turnover is continuously reinvested in product development. Last year, the company acquired a technology and patent portfolio to further strengthen its position and expand its product range to include solutions for pipe welding.
Part of the Leinolat Group
T-DRILL is part of the Leinolat Group, which includes companies with different business focuses: some are strong in manufacturing, while others concentrate on subcontracting. Regardless of the type of focus, the values of all the group’s companies remain the same: trust, teamwork and transparency.
“For us, it is very important to be a reliable partner for both employees as well as customers, in the short and long term,” says Keimo Kalliosaari.
In addition to T-DRILL, the Leinolat Group also includes Kilkanen, Leimec, Uwira and Bobi.com. The group’s companies employ 270 people in Finland, as well as approximately 290 if operations in the United States are included.
This article is part of a series about companies undertaking world-class product development in Ostrobothnia. Partners:
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