User:Amira Achek/Laitex Oy

Laitex Oy is a Finnish company that manufactures material handling equipment and technology. The company manufactures material handling equipment and systems and provides services for their maintenance and modernization worldwide. Automation and electrification can be included to the products.

In 2020, Laitex employed 71 people and had a turnover of €17 million. It has its head office and two production units in Lappeenranta and an office in Vantaa.

History
Kari Kurronen founded Laitex Oy in 1986 together with his partner Tauno Tanskanen in Lappeenranta. Kurronen received his education from Larox, a company owned by Nuutti Vartiainen. He was responsible for example development, production and sales of screw conveyors and rotary feeders. Larox specialized in pressure filters and the products under Kurronen's responsibility were pruned.

Kurronen started his business in the company Ruoste-Esto owned by Tanskanen, which was part of the Ruoste-Ekspertti. Tanskanen owned 40 percent of Laitex and Kurronen 60 percent. The first sale was made to Sodankylä's garrison and the first employee was hired in 1987. Kari Suvanen, Kurronen's colleague from Larox, joined the company and they bought Tanskanen's share of Laitex, leaving Kurronen with 80 per cent and Suvanen 20 per cent. However, Tanskanen served on the Board for a long time, with Kurronen as a deputy member. The company started by focusing on laundry products. However, it was soon found that the manufacture of material handling equipment was more profitable. In its early days, Laitex made a lot of equipment for the boiler industry. In 1989 and 1997, Laitex made significant expansions. In 1991, Larox Oy and Laitex Oy agreed on industry arrangements so that the manufacture and sale of hose valves were centralized to Larox and the manufacture of rotary feeders to Laitex. In the early 2000s, the company decided to focus on product development and expand the business to the environmental and recycling sectors. The company also actively developed crushers. In 2005, the share of exports increased, especially in Russia, and a subsidiary was established in Russia in 2013. In 2016, Laitex moved to new facilities on Kuormaajankatu in Lappeenranta and a sales office was opened in Vantaa.

Board
Tanskanen served on the Board for a long time, with Kurronen as a deputy member. In the 1996 Annual General Meeting, Kari Kurronen was elected as a member of the Board and Kari Suvanen as a deputy member. During 2003 and 2006, the Board had two members when Tom Hultin was included. The 2012 Extraordinary General Meeting decided to expand the Board; Timo Vartiainen and Ilkka Mujunen became new members. In 2012, Kari Vanhalakka was hired as CEO. In 2014, Anssi Jansson will take over the position of CEO. In 2016, Vartiainen resigned from the Board and Lasse Kurronen will be appointed as CEO. Jyrki Uurtio served also on the Board during 2018-2020.

Products
Laitex manufactures material handling systems for heavy duty industry. Products are tailored typically for use in the energy, mining, environmental, pulp and paper industries. Deliveries can also include automation and electrification, as well as commission monitoring and installation. In addition, deliveries often include products related to the storage of materials generated or conveyed in the process, such as silos. The company aims to provide its customers with turnkey solutions.

Acknowledgments

 * 2012 South Karelian Entrepreneurs Association awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year award to Laitex Oy.
 * 2012 Inspecta Certification ISO 9001 (quality management system) and ISO 3834 (welding quality requirements)
 * 2017 South Karelia Golden Gavel 2017.
 * 2018 The Lappeenranta Entrepreneurs Association awarded Lasse Kurronen and Laitex Oy the Lappeenranta-based company of the year.
 * 2020 Inspecta Certification ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety system)