2013 For Surface Protection

Customer Magazine by FSP

Combine harvester is crowned with elegant coating

Moist sea air emphasises the importance of quality

The largest project order from Sweden

Andritz ordered inspection of surface finishing

Contents News Flexibility rises to key position in the Technip shipyard Moist sea air emphasises the importance of quality The largest project order from Sweden Andritz ordered inspection of surface finishing Combine harvester is crowned with elegant coating

For Surface Protection is FSP’s customer magazine Editorial staff and layout: Viestintätoimisto VCA Oy Cover photo: Antti Verkasalo

About FSP Since its establishment in the 1960's, FSP Finnish Steel Painting Ltd has grown into the leading surface treatment service providers in Northern Europe. In 2012, our turnover was about 25 million euros. We employ 220 surface treatment specialists in 30 painting shops in Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Poland.

Our customer base includes manufacturers and process and offshore industries in the global market. We offer our customers surface treatment services and linked added value services, which help streamline the management of production chains and logistics, for instance.

We offer surface treatment services for bridges, storage tanks and large steel structures at our workshops or on location using our mobile equipment. We take full responsibility for projects following turn-key principles, which saves our customers time, increases their productivity and allows them to focus on their own core competencies.

Our strong business reputation, long experience in the industry and certified management system ensure that our durable, high-quality final products fulfil the most stringent industry standards. Our surface treatments protect our customers’ products, which improves their durability and operating life, as well as increasing maintenance intervals.

We follow the principles of sustainable development in our operations. We collect all waste, store chemicals safely and use non-polluting working methods. We are constantly investing in the well-being and continued professional skill development of our workforce.

We follow the ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 quality, environmental, occupational safety and health standards. Our clients include small, medium and large businesses. Please see our full range of services and references at www.fspcorp.com and get in touch! ■

Publisher: FSP Finnish Steel Painting Oy | Hiekkamäentie 4, FI-01150 Söderkulla, Finland | Tel. +358 9 278 6270 | www.fspcorp.com

Build your growth with a versatile partner

W

e wanted a strong, long-term partner which brings us the necessary surface treatment know-how and added value through quality development," says Sampo Rosenlew's Jali Prihti on pages 12–13, where we talk about our partnerships.

The only combine harvester manufacturer in Scandinavia says that a versatile partner brings both advantages and added value.

This way, it can focus on developing its core competence and creating growth.

Many of our partners in the international market feel the same way. Previously, they have carried out surface treatments at their own production facilities or procured them from other suppliers of the field. Now our partners turn to FSP not only with their surface treatment and corrosion prevention needs but with other services, as well: logistics, packaging, unit assembly and expert services.

Our recipe for success is based on our smart, service-oriented and mutually agreed-upon ways of working. We have just updated our strategy which highlights the role of active service and idea generation culture.

Our goal is to be a local partner in all market areas. At the moment, our customers include various global metal and machine engineering companies. In Estonia, our surface treatment know-how is used by, for example, ABB and Stera and in Poland, Cargotec.

FSP's global operating environment is the Baltic Sea region, but we offer our customers Engineering specialist services in other market areas, as well. Owing to strict quality requirements, the Engineering specialist services have been growing in demand. On pages 14–15, we describe our surface treatment inspection services on another continent, namely Uruguay in South America.

Dear Reader, you're now holding our For Surface Protection magazine, in which we illustrate the latest in profound under­ standing of surface treatment needs in surface treatment facilities, specialist services as well as in offshore and project business.

We hope to be Your strong partner, as well. At the moment, we are one of the leading surface treatment companies in Europe. We are ready to meet our promises of quality, delivery reliability, environmental friendliness and occupational safety.

Don't hesitate – get in contact and we'll talk more!

Ismo Rojo Vice President, International Operations ismo.rojo@fspcorp.com

Pentti Virtanen President pentti.virtanen@fspcorp.com Follow us on Facebook SURFACE 3

FSP is considered a reliable, high quality service provider that has a good reputation

© Vesa-Matti Väärä

Partnerships expand to Estonia and Poland

F

SP is collaborating with wellknown mechanical engineering and process technology partners in Estonia and Poland. The trend is that partnerships have expanded from Finland to the international market.

FSP has been the main partner for Stera Technologies' Saue mill, which produces sheet metal parts and other products. Since 2009, FSP has been the Saue mill's principle surface treatment provider.

Stera launched its operations in Estonia in 2006 already. Production started in the beginning of 2007.

The Saue mill is located some 10 kilometres southwest of Tallinn.

In Finland, Stera Technologies operates as a mechanics and electronics contract manufacturer of sheet metal parts and other products. These products are made in Stera's Kaarina mill and as a surface treatment partner, FSP provides surface treatment services with a turnkey contract.

A new tool for idea generation: TellUs

F

SP's new application for gathering and storing of workplace improvement ideas now has a name: the broad naming contest organised was closed at the end of August, and of the name candidates, TellUs was the clear favourite. FSP's personnel came up with a total of 36 suggestions. The winner of the contest was deemed suitably short, succinct and well-applicable in an international working environment.

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Lauri Pasola (left), the Area Manager of FSP, and Jarkko Vähä-Tahlo, the Deputy Managing Director of Stera Technologies, inspect a sheet metal part at the Kaarina painting hall.

The collaboration in Saue is based on the same principle as in Kaarina.

Stera's customer base in Saue comprises well-known electronics and machine engineering companies. The significance of the operations is clear: the volume of painted square metres in one shift exceeds one hundred and during one working week, can go as high as 1,000 square metres.

In Jüri, Estonia, FSP's other facility is responsible for the surface treatment of ABB's generators.

In Poland, FSP has since 2010 collaborated with Cargotec, a manufacturer of cargo and load handling equipment. FSP's Polish operations are housed in Cargotec's facilities in Stargard Szczeci´nski. Also, thanks to the production area integrated in Cargotec's production, FSP is able to offer innovative surface treatment services to its other customers. ■

The winning suggestion was provided by Anni Huttunen, whose line of argument goes as follows: "When we receive good suggestions, maybe one of them could generate positive environmental results."

TellUs is a browser-based application that supports FSP's idea generation process. TellUs allows the personnel to express their opinions on the working environment and encourages people to make improvement suggestions. The goal is to gather the silent information available within the organisation.

This, in turn, benefits not only the personnel but FSP's customers and partners, as well.

The improvement suggestion is made via a form that can also be

submitted anonymously. However, if the respondent provides his or her name, the necessary actions and possible prize can be directed to the right FSP facility and person behind the suggestion.

All suggestions are handled openly, which means that they are visible to the entire organisation.

The suggestions can be based on ideas, experiences, initiatives, feedback, unplanned occurrences, safety observations, close calls or any improvement activity involving ways of working, safety or environmental care.

Now it is easy to make development suggestions with TellUs – free of place or time. ■

Willingness to recommend continues its growth

T

he overall score still remains on a reasonably good level. The score that indicates success in operation was the same as in the previous year. As much as nine out of ten of the respondents are ready to recommend FSP to other purchasers of services.

Contract clients and random buyers are more willing to recommend. Willingness to recommend increased two percentage points from the previous year.

This is what the results of the national Customer Satisfaction Survey of FSP tell us. 94 partners of FSP answered the survey. They were asked to give their opinions of conspicuousness, experience, expertise, channels, areas of focus and overall quality of activity of FSP.

At the moment, the three most popular services are anti-corrosive painting, abrasive blasting and washing and cleaning. The respondents were also asked which services FSP should concentrate on in future. The biggest expectations focused on, in addition to abovementioned, fire proofing, powder painting and inspection services.

Focus on subjects of development The survey included a section for comments where the respondents were free to present their wishes concerning development of FSP. The respondents wished most that FSP would devote to development of Engineering expert services, protection methods, quick feedthrough and productivity.

Own contact persons, the customer magazine, colleagues and partners are considered the most important channels of information. Social media has the role of supporter for the other means of communication.

Electronic channels of communication are now appreciated more than in previous years.

FSP thanks all the partners that have given valuable feedback. ■

Good reputation, reliable and high quality FSP is considered a reliable, high quality service provider that has a good reputation. The results also show wishes concerning development of sales and regeneration which will be tackled carefully in future. It is significant that over one half of the respondents think that FSP’s activity is to some extent or outstandingly better than that of competitors.

Success of FSP in its operation (average) 2013 3,8 2012 3,8 2011 3,6 2010 3,5 2009 3,6 1

2

3

4

3

4

Five most important areas of expertise Reliable and safe partner 4,0 Strong expert in quality 3,8 Customer-oriented service expert 3,7 Expertise in after-sale cooperation 3,7 Expertise in turnkey delivery 3,6 1

2

Source: FSP customer survey 2009–2013

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A high-quality surface treatment protects from the corrosion caused by saltY sea air

© Harri Joensuu

Flexibility rises to key position in the Technip Pori shipyard

© Jouni Porsanger

In early 2012, FSP surfaced two large reels on the inside and outside on the Pori shipyard. The reels, weighing thousands of tonnes, are intended for pipe-laying ships.

The work stages included washing and cleaning processes, sandblasting and anti-corrosion painting.

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J

uha Järvenpää, Production Engineer of Technip Offshore Finland Ltd building the spar platform, sees that surface treatment will, in future decades, be in a vital position as a part of the platform's maintenance. The reason is that a high-quality surface treatment protects particularly the hull section of the platform from the corrosion caused by salty sea air.

The surface treatment extends the maintenance interval of the spar platform hull intended for a floating oil and gas production unit. Therefore, the platform will serve many decades before it is in need of larger maintenance.

"Approximately 80 percent of the entire hull of the production platform will be under water," Järvenpää clarifies.

FSP Finnish Steel Painting was selected as the main surface treatment partner of the project. The company finished its other project on the Technip Pori shipyard in spring 2012. It was a surface treatment project for two large reels intended for pipe-laying ships.

shipyard staff and a number of subcontractors. The capacity of the platform is 80,000 barrels of oil and 12 million cubic metres of gas per day.

The Technip platform project is run from Houston, Texas. The platform is designed and produced in Mänty­luoto, where most of the company's platforms have been made. The platform will be ready for drilling in the Gulf of Mexico in 2014.

The platform will be built in a way that prevents it from overturning in any conditions. The overturning will be prevented by its centre of gravity which will be lower than its floating point. The overall length of the platform is approximately 200 metres.

The hull of the platform is built from eight different ring blocks that are welded together. The surface treatment will progress in the following stages: washing and cleaning processes, sandblasting and anti-corrosion painting. The objects in need of surface treatment on the platform are, for instance, ballast tanks and structures above surface.

Capacity for 80,000 barrels of oil The significance of the spar production platform is increased by it being currently built by the entire Pori

The standard requirements must be met In FSP operations, Järvenpää sees three key factors which support the progression of the surface treatment

Kalle Salonen, an inspector for the Technip quality department, measures the coat thicknesses of a large reel. Juha Granholm and Juha Järvenpää observe the inspection.

work according to the objectives and the agreed schedule. One key factor, according to Järvenpää, is the professional skill which ensures a high-quality surface treatment.

The surface treatment work is done according to the customer's standards, whereupon FSP, in cooperation with Technip, looks through the paints that are suitable for the painting system and meet the standard requirements.

If necessary, FSP is qualified to superintend the quality of surface treatment according to NORSOK standards. For example, Vice President Juha Granholm, has received a Frosio inspection qualification.

Flexibility as load increases One key factor according to Järven­ pää is professional skill, the importance of which grows as the load increases.

"The production proceeds cyclically, which is why the Technip shipyard needs more surface treatment workers from FSP during production peaks," says Järvenpää.

"The production numbers occasionally grow immensely, and under those circumstances we are able to recruit more surface treat-

ment workers from other surface treatment facilities of our company," says Granholm, and adds that the schedule of surface treatment will hold even during busy seasons.

Occupational safety stands out in the shipyard The work in the shipyard is carried out in two to three shifts, depending on production numbers.

If necessary, the workers pick up the speed in order to maintain the agreed schedules. FSP has 10 surface treatment workers in the Pori shipyard. The supervisor, Kari Holm, also manages the Technip surface treatment workers during his shift.

The third key element is occupational safety, which promotes safe work methods and environmentally friendly procedures.

"The surface treatment workers always wear helmets, safety glasses and protective clothing and, if necessary, harnesses, if the surface treatment work is carried out on high," says Granholm. ■

Technip Offshore Finland LTD • the company, founded in 1972 as a machine shop called Rauma Repola, is nowadays a part of the French Technip S.A. Group • designs, produces and delivers equipment for oil, gas and petrochemistry industries • the products include, for instance, spar hulls for floating oil production units, power production equipment and frames, as well as steel structures for energy and processing industry • located in Mäntyluoto, Pori

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© Antti Verkasalo

Hollming Works values good price-quality ratio in a surface treatment partner

FSP provided surface treatment for 12 gigantic sea cable reels and winches at the Loviisa workshop.

Moist sea air emphasises the importance of quality in Loviisa

T

he sea cable reels are built by Hollming Works Ltd, whose Foreman Seppo Kärkkäinen values three key features in the company's surface treatment partner. According to Kärkkäinen, the most important feature has to be quality, since high-quality surface treatment protects the structures from constant wear and tear and from corrosion caused by the salty ocean air.

In 2013, the Loviisa workshop of Hollming Works delivered gigantic sea cable reels to its Norwegian customer Kongsberg Evotec, who utilises the reels on vessels specialised in searching for oil on the oceans around the world.

Hollming Works delivers the reels as a turnkey project. In addition to the manufacturing of the necessary parts, the process includes assembly, hydraulic installa-

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tions, tests and trial runs. Hollming Works is a prominent expert in the field of marine and offshore technology, because it provides the offshore and shipbuilding industry with winches, complex steel constructions and components for oil drilling and oil search rigs, as well as with propeller equipment, rudders and Linkspan systems.

Long history of cooperation One of the strengths of Hollming Works is the ability to provide its international customers with turnkey deliveries either as serial production, customised batches or as single units.

Uncompromising top-quality surface treatment solutions are an essential part of the finished products.

As their surface treatment partner, Hollming Works

selected FSP, with whom they have a long history of cooperation.

"FSP is a familiar and reliable surface treatment partner, with whom we have worked since the 1990s," says Kärkkäinen.

In 2013, FSP provided surface treatment for 12 reels or winches.

The project was carried out with the same concept and delivery amounts as in the summer of 2012, when FSP was also in charge of component surface treatment at the Loviisa workshop.

Thermal spraying ensures protection for the paintwork The significance of this project is highlighted by the fact that the largest machined components weigh approximately ten thousand kilos, are approximately 6.5 metres in diameter and 2.5 metres in height.

For the purposes of this project, FSP's surface treatment operations are integrated as a part of the production work at the Loviisa workshop. For Hollming Works, the goal is to focus on their own core skills and develop them further, and to manufacture complex steel structures with a professional surface treatment partner.

The high level of quality that is required in this particular project can be seen, for example, in that the sea cable reels get a zinc coating that is thermally sprayed on the components after washing, cleaning and sandblasting.

Thermal spraying is a procedure where zinc is melted and then sprayed onto a surface with compressed air. The result is a high-speed mist consisting of tiny droplets, which is sprayed on the rough and blasted surface of an iron component, where it forms a coating. Afterwards the surface is painted twice, first with a primer and then with a top coat.

"Thermal spraying is a complex surface treatment procedure which protects the paintwork from corrosion caused by salty sea water.

Paint sticks to a thermally sprayed surface extremely well, and the procedure provides long-lasting protection against corrosion and erosion," explains FSP Foreman Marko Timonen, who has more than 20 years of experience of demanding surface treatment projects.

Punctual deliveries Top-quality surface treatment work is guided by standards, and compliance with these standards is monitored with inspections. During the entire process, FSP keeps a detailed record of the conditions of the sandblasting and painting phases, and of the thickness of the paint film. In this particular project, the customer Kongsberg Evotec has defined specific requirements for the surface treatment.

"With regard to the project of summer 2012, our careful and vigorous quality control work meant that we did not have to do a single corrective operation afterwards because of, say, imperfect surface treatment," explains Timonen.

According to Kärkkäinen, another important key feature of cooperation is that the project proceeds on schedule. The customers of Hollming Works are accustomed to receiving detailed, high-quality products as punctual deliveries.

Therefore it is important to plan the work process carefully, so that the surface treatment work is carried out quickly and exactly at the right time during the workshop supply chain. Timonen states that the delivery cycle of one large-scale reel is approximately five working days, during which the reel goes through all the different stages of surface treatment.

The third key feature is costeffectiveness, which means that Kärkkäinen values good pricequality ratio in a surface treatment partner. For this reason, he has a positive attitude towards extended cooperation with FSP in the future projects of the Loviisa workshop. ■

Hollming Works Ltd • supplies the international industry with heavy mechanical engineering services • focuses on medium weight and heavy engineering products • industrial areas of specialty include offshore and shipbuilding industry, energy, mining and other industrial fields • almost 100 percent of products go to the export market

According to Seppo Kärkkäinen (right), FSP has been a familiar and reliable partner since the 1990s. Marko Timonen works as the Project Foreman in Loviisa.

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The cooperation has run smoothly, as FSP listens to customers views on the project

The largest project order in history from Sweden

I

n the summer of 2012, FSP has surface treated two major bridges in the Dalarna province in Sweden; the 166-metre Djurås plate girder bridge and the 143-metre Särna arch bridge.

Both bridges are situated on the 300-kilometre Österdalälven river. Håkan Forslund, Project Manager at Trafikverket, the administration responsible for the Swedish road, railway, sea and air traffic, has been pleased with the quality of FSP's surface treatment work. FSP was chosen as the contractor after a public bidding competition.

"The price-quality ratio was the most decisive factor in choosing FSP as the contractor for the surface treatment work," Forslund describes the start of the cooperation.

The entire process will cover the repainting work of four arch bridges and two plate girder bridges in the area of Gävleborg, Jämtland and Dalarna counties in 2012-2014. It is the all-time largest individual project order from Sweden for FSP. The vastness of the project is reflected, for instance, in the fact that the number of square metres to be painted will be more than 20,000.

Competent communication The partnership has grown deeper during the Djurås and Särna bridge surface treatment projects in the summer of 2012. Forslund emphasises three features in the FSP's cooperation: quality, environmental protection and the ability to communicate.

"We appreciate competent communication in particular. The cooperation has run smoothly, as FSP listens to our views on the project," says Forslund and adds that both Swedish and English are used as communication languages.

For FSP, the project order is a significant opening to a new market area. The contract of six bridges employs 20 surface treatment workers and scaffolders.

Highlighting roadwork safety FSP's on-site Project Manager of surface treatment contracts, Aki Rahnasto, says that occupational safety has been in a key position during different work stages. In addition to sandblasting, puttying and spray painting, the contract covers traffic arrangements and planning.

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"Roadwork safety is important, because the bridge is in continuous use during the surface treatment process. All those working on bridges have gone through a training called ‘working on the road’ which highlights safe roadwork conditions," Rahnasto explains and adds that the workers use, among other things, reflective clothing, helmets, safety glasses and, if necessary, harnesses. The drop to the water is tens of metres long, and therefore a safety boat, life buoys and fall protection are always ready under the bridge.

Collecting the sandblasting waste In addition to occupational safety, FSP is particularly concerned about environmental protection. Before starting the surface treatment process, scaffolding and protective covering are erected around the bridge to protect the waterway.

"We collect the sandblasting waste and ensure with coverings that the paint spray is prevented from entering the surroundings," says Rahnasto.

Lead paint had been used earlier in the Swedish bridge operations, and FSP delivered the sandblasting waste to a hazardous waste treatment plant. The cooperation also includes tight quality controls, focused, for instance, on occupational safety and environmental protection.

A wide capacity for major projects "The project order from Sweden proves that in Europe, FSP has a strong technological knowledge and an environmentally friendly image in the field, as well as a wide capacity to carry out maintenance works for large bridges," says FSP's Vice President, International Operations, Ismo Rojo.

The high quality level of surface treatment work is ensured by FSP's standards for quality, environment, occupational safety and health. The cooperation with the Swedish Transport Administration also means that FSP is capable of serving internationalising Finnish companies both on the Swedish market and in other market areas. ”We are enthusiastic about opening to a new market area and will continue internationalising. In addition to infrastructure industry, we are searching for more project subjects in the fields of petrochemistry and energy industry in Sweden," Rojo continues. ■

© FSP

Jämtland County

Gävleborg County

Särna

Dalarna County Djurås

The new major Swedish bridge receives a durable surface in Poland FSP has received a large project order from an international consortium, the subject of which is one of the largest new bridge projects in the Swedish history.

The project order given to FSP covers the surface treatment work of the steel structures of a bridge in the Max Bögl production facility in Szczecin, Poland.

It is a 2.1-kilometre four-lane chest bridge which will, after its completion, be the second longest road bridge in Sweden. It will be built on the E4 traffic route in Sundsvall, in the Västernorrland county area. A Danish-German consortium is responsible for the construction work of the bridge. One of their members is the largest privately owned construction company in Germany, Max Bögl International SE. The entire surface treatment work covers the sandblasting, priming and top coating of the blocks and the whole bridge structure. In addition, the contract includes a temporary corrosion protection of the bridge deck and a cleaning of the inner surfaces.

One example of the size of the project is that there will be approximately 50,000 square metres to be painted and 350,000 m2 of inner surfaces to be cleaned. All in all, FSP is responsible for the surface treatment works of nine large bridge blocks in 2012–2013. The bridge is due to open to traffic in October 2014. ■ SURFACE 11

FSP provides extra value through quality improvement

© Antti Verkasalo

Combine harvester is crowned with elegant coating

In September, Sampo-Rosenlew published its new model C12 which is the biggest combine harvester model manufactured in Pori production unit.

According to Jali Prihti (left), willingness to focus on own core competency was the reason for beginning cooperation with FSP. Tommi Kuusisto acts as the Head of the FSP Pori production unit.

S

ampo-Rosenlew Ltd manufactures high quality combine harvesters and forestry equipment especially for the international market. The company’s partner, FSP, is responsible for surface finishing of combine harvesters and components of other machinery.

Jali Prihti, the CEO of the traditional family-owned company Sampo-Rosenlew Ltd, believes that the only manufacturer of combine harvesters in Nordic Countries has benefited the partnership with FSP in its factory in Konepajanranta, Pori.

Cooperation started in December 2010 and after that number of machinery and components to be surface treated has been growing constantly. Originally, FSP had local operation in Pori. According to Prihti, willingness to concentrate on own core competency and developing it as well as building conditions for business growth were the prime movers behind the cooperation.

“We wanted a strong and long-term partner that provides us indispensable expertise in surface treatment and extra value through quality improvement for our production unit in Pori,” Prihti points out.

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“In our service provider, we appreciate caring that is to say skill in communicating regularly and making longterm plans. In this regard, Tommi Kuusisto, the Head of the Pori production unit has been a jewel for us.”

Majority of products for export The objective of the partnership is to ensure an elegant finish for the products that benefits the customers of Sampo-Rosenlew in Finland and especially in the international market. Prihti counts that no less than 85 percent of the products are directed to the export market, among others to Nordic Countries, North Africa, Ukraine, Azerbaidžan and Belarus.

Internationalisation in Western Europe is still increasing because in the end of August Sampo-Rosenlew started cooperation with Deere & Company aka John Deere, a giant manufacturer of agriculture and forestry equipment.

According to the retail agreement; John Deere starts to sell combine harvesters manufactured by SampoRosenlew to Western Europe.

This may increase production volume because Prihti estimates that Deere will buy some hundreds of combine harvesters already in the next 3–4 year period.

Elegant outfit assurance for quality Retail is facilitated by the fact that the Sampo-Rosenlew group is known for its high quality, customer-friendly combine harvesters and forestry equipment that are applicable to demanding conditions such as fields and forests. The products are based on high-tech, good quality and continuous development together with customers.

Prihti thinks that the main purpose of surface treatment is to give the combine harvester an elegant outfit and glossy coating which gives an impression of a high quality product. The price of a combine harvester is about 80 000 euros on average. The products of the group have sold very well because the turnover has risen to about 84 million euros. The group provides employment for approximately 550 persons.

Surface treatment proceeds in different phases Surface treatment work phases are distributed so that Sampo-Rosenlew is responsible for dip painting and powder coating of components and FSP answers for finishing paintings. The Head of FSP Pori production unit, Tommi Kuusisto, tells that the surface treatment activity of FSP has been integrated to be a part of the production of Sampo-Rosenlew.

“In the production process, our surface treatment work includes processing with a pressure washer which includes removal of grease, grinding the base, protection needed for the surface painting and labelling.

After final assembly, we perform touch-up painting, finish the surface to delivery condition and document quality inspections,” Kuusisto says.

FSP performs also abrasive blasting in its paint shop when necessary, about three kilometres away from the combine harvester factory.

Two painting lines In Pori factory, FSP has two painting lines along which both the combine harvester and cutting table proceed towards finishing painting. Time needed to passing through is shortened by ovens that accelerate drying of the paint. The finishing work of combine harvesters proceed seasonally and is concentrated especially in the period from March to August when FSP has 18 surface workers working in its production plant. In high season, quick reacting and flexibility are essential. FSP transfers additional workers from other production units if necessary.

Schedules must be kept also during peak time. The fact that Sampo-Rosenlew manufactures approximately a thousand combine harvesters per year on average tells about the importance of production output.

This is the reason why finishing painting must be performed quickly and right on time; the delivery date has already been scheduled for the finished products. ■

Sampo-Rosenlew ltd • established in 1991 • production of combine harvesters began in Pori factory in 1957 • industrial activity in the premises started as early as in 1853 • products are sold to approx. 50 countries • the main market areas are Nordic Countries, North Africa, Ukraine, Azerbaidžan and Belarus • 550 employees • turnover is 84 million euros

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© FSP

FSP was a safe choice for a project that demands strong expertise

Lauri Pasola used in the inspection among others a cross-cut test and a device to measure film thickness. He also examined the overall appearance of surface coating.

Andritz ordered inspection in Uruguay from FSP

F

SP received a commission of inspection to another continent, South America, in early summer 2013.

Lauri Pasola, Area Manager of FSP, packed his bags and headed for Uruguay in order to inspect a pulp mill under construction.

The orderer of the project was Andritz Ltd, an international industrial company and a long-term partner of FSP. Marko Rantala, Quality Assurance Manager of Andritz, tells that the company utilises external expert services for quality inspection when it is necessary due to e.g. the demanding nature or large size of the project.

In the end of the year 2012, Andritz and FSP created instructions for performing surface treatment. These instructions were utilised in the Uruguay project in which inspection, measuring methods and reporting of results followed the instructions. FSP has a surface treatment plant next to Savonlinna Works Oy owned by Andritz and the companies have cooperated together for the past ten years.

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“Usually we utilise the know-how in surface treatment of the company in our fabricated products in the facilities of FSP, but we knew that they provide their expertise for our use also in quality assurance. The familiar partner that is known to be reliable was a safe choice for a project that demands strong expertise,” Rantala says.

Inspecting coating thickness Normally inspections are conducted by the FSP Engineering unit but this time Pasola, the Area Manager in South-West Finland and Estonia, was assigned the task. Training in Material and Surface Treatment Engineering and years of work experience gave him qualification to perform the international inspection appropriately.

“I set off the week after Midsummer. The journey of inspection took around a week. I carried out the inspections by taking random samples that is to say I inspected

objects in every area. There were seven areas in total.

Objects that had been surface treated were for example containers, towers and steel constructions,” Pasola tells about his faraway assignment.

“There were plenty of treated surfaces and some of them will be hidden under insulating material. However, they also must be inspected thoroughly because the coating must be in accordance with specifications every­where to ensure good corrosion protection.”

Safety regulations preceded inspections At first they conducted a survey in the pulp mill area, went through the safety regulations and made a plan to carry out the inspections. Pasola agreed upon practical matters with Ari Pääkkönen from Andritz, the Quality Assurance Manager of the construction site.

At the end it was the time to conduct the inspections in practice. Safety equipment included fall protection gear, a helmet, safety glasses, safety shoes and a reflective high-visibility vest.

“There was plenty of climbing because many of the objects to be inspected were located high in towers or containers,” Pasola tells about the conditions that demanded full safety equipment.

Documentation tells the exact results The actual surface treatment was not made by FSP. When it is a question of a demanding project such as a project ordered by maritime industries or a big industrial establishment, the customer usually orders the inspection from a third party. This way impartiality of the inspection can be ensured.

Pasola has acted as the Head of the Kaarina unit since 2007 and the Area Manager since the beginning of the year 2013. He is a qualified engineer who graduated in Material and Surface Treatment Engineering from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. His assignment in South America was his farthest inspection object so far.

Pasola made a detailed documentation for Andritz on every area he inspected. The results were good. The documents were also delivered to the final customer. ■

Lauri Pasola inspected surface treated areas which included 60-metre towers.

Andritz AG • one of the leading suppliers of pulp and paper industry systems, equipment and services in the world • manufactures also biomass cauldrons and gas plants • operates both in the local and industrial sector • an Austrian company that has businesses in every continent in dozens of countries • number of personnel approx 24 000, about one thousand in Finland

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For Surface Protection

A Longer Life Span

We surface treat machinery, equipment, ships, bridges, storage tanks, steel structures and drilling rigs on a turnkey basis.

We rely on clean working methods and ensure recycling and safe storage. We comply with the quality, environmental and OHS standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.

© Shutterstock

FSP Finnish Steel Painting Ltd Hiekkamäentie 4 FI-01150 Söderkulla Tel. +358 9 278 6270 Fax +358 9 272 1636 www.fspcorp.com