Pekka Tuomikoski’s Legacy Lives On – Finnchain Innovates Environmental Solutions Globally
The story of Finnchain is deeply rooted in the vision of its founder, Pekka Tuomikoski, whose innovations laid the technological foundation of the company. Tuomikoski’s ideas – such as the use of plastic chains and distinctive product design – remain central to Finnchain’s ongoing development and commitment to environmental solutions.
In 2008, Finnchain received the Innosuomi Award from the President of Finland for Pekka Tuomikoski’s latest innovation at the time – a patented surface sludge removal system. Pekka developed a successful product, and multilingual Leena Tuomikoski opened the door to international markets.
Pekka Tuomikoski, founder of our company, showed the way to Finnchain. Tuomikoski developed a new type of notched-link chain model and realised that it is often worth replacing steel with plastic, which does not rust.
”The idea and form of the plastic chain is still the core of our system. It makes a lot of other things possible. Of course, our products have changed over the decades, but Pekka's handprint is still very recognisable," says Krister Stenbom, CEO of Finnchain.
Tuomikoski was an inventor who was always constantly developing new solutions. Many of those are patented.
”Pekka's guiding principle was that there should be a unique angle to design”.
Tuomikoski was inspired and motivated by a strong vision of his own company operating in a growing industrial sector. Pekka's foresight proved to be absolutely spot on. Environmental investments have been increasing every year.
”The need for environmental solutions is only growing. Pekka's way of doing things continues to energise us. Product development continues to be active, albeit not as “wild” as in Pekka's time. From a long list of development projects, we have chosen a few to focus on," says Stenbom.
Those selected are the products and issues where Finnchain sees the clearest potential.
”Further development of existing products and complementary products in the same environment. For example, the irrigation of the rails of surface-mounted refrigerators to reduce friction.”
Recognition for Innovation – Innosuomi Award and Presidential Invitation
In 2008, Finnchain was awarded the Inno Finland prize by president Tarja Halonen for Pekka's then latest invention, a patented surface sludge removal system.
”That prize could have been awarded much earlier. It's a great recognition that sums up the company's business idea," says Stenbom.
The Inno Finland (Innosuomi) prize was followed by another piece of good news: Pekka and Irja Tuomikoski were invited to the Independence Day celebration in the Presidential Palace.
Leena Tuomikoski started working for the family company founded by her father in the 1980s. She later founded a company which is today Finnchain. Pekka became Finnchain’s chairman of the board, focusing on innovation.
”Pekka developed a successful product, Leena, with her language skills, opened up export opportunities. Leena managed her company with consistency and skill. The balance sheet has remained strong and almost all financial years have been profitable. That is a great achievement in the project world," says Stenbom.
As a result of Pekka and Leena's years of work, Finnchain is a globally operating company well known in its field. Strong references and long-standing distributors create a solid foundation on which to build a future success story.
