With 30 years’ experience in cabin refurbishment and furniture production, MAKINEN hopes to take this experience and become the benchmark for the cruise industry: CEO Jaakko Mäkikalli explained how the company will reach this milestone. Report by Imogen Ward.
Over the years, MAKINEN has perfected its service approach. From effective software to more efficient working approaches, the company has performed tirelessly to set the best standards for marine interior manufacturers.
“MAKINEN is a trustworthy, family-owned company, that offers an innovative approach to all its interiors,” CEO Jaakko Mäkikalli said. “In 2012, we started embarking on heavy refurbishment projects with a new, lean approach. This is something that is not used by too many other players in the industry and has become part of the MAKINEN way – we successfully utilise methods that are the most efficient and effective.”
For the past 30 years, MAKINEN has established an expertise for maritime interior refurbishment. Following this success, the company expanded into the newbuild sector in 2017.
Diving straight in, the company’s first newbuild contract was awarded by CMHI shipyard and established MAKINEN as the sole interior turnkey contractor for the SunStone Infinity series of vessels.
“Our capabilities and knowledge have broadened substantially over the past six years,” said Mr Mäkikalli. “With the Infinity series, and new areas including expedition vessels, we have continued to implement a competitive advantage in the market. Our fellow competitors might do the same, but we are consistent in everything we do. As marine interior experts, we pour our company culture into all aspects of the job, built on Finnish roots we have cultivated a culture of trust and quality, which is what we are known for globally.”
Leaning in on success
Striving to have a positive influence over the market, MAKINEN dedicated its resources to developing a new approach that would benefit everyone. The company likens the lean approach to a train: every element moving in synchronicity , reducing inefficiency and leaving less room for mistakes.
“Our lean approach originated from a customer’s desire for change,” said Mr Mäkikalli “As one of our main customers, Royal Caribbean Group realised that, with
standard vessel size increasing, future refurbishment and dry docking would take too much time and money. To overcome this hurdle, we dedicated ourselves to the lean approach.”
Impressively, since introducing this method, MAKINEN has been able to improve its refurbishment figures from an average of 35 cabins a day to a record-breaking 225. This impressive jump in efficiency has meant that customers can save money whilst still receiving the same great service that MAKINEN is known for.
The lean approach ensures that customers receive exceptional quality installations that meet agreed deadlines and cause minimal disruption. These refurbishments can be completed during service or in drydock – making it customer-friendly and super-
efficient. With the astounding success of MAKINEN’s lean concept, the company has extended this to its other services. Taking only the very best practices and implementing them in furniture production and newbuild projects, MAKINEN is continuously improving its offering.
Not only does this approach benefit the customers, but its dedication to waste reduction also helps promote a more positive relationship with the environment.
Zeroing in on neutrality
Everything that is achieved by MAKINEN is done so with the environment in mind. As the first company in Finland to be awarded the CSR Performance Ladder Standard 3rd Level Certificate, MAKINEN is committed to maintaining this certification.
“We have a Sustainability Steering Group which is made up of MAKINEN employees, who have regular meetings to highlight areas that require improvement,” said Mr Mäkikalli . “All of which revolve around our CSR commitments, from social responsibility to environmental promises. These are then assigned a timeline for completion, and every goal achieved makes way for a new one.”
One of the goals currently fostered by MAKINEN pushes for scope one carbon neutrality by 2028. Following the company’s first official carbon footprint calculation in
2022, MAKINEN is using this as a base point to further improve its emissions until it achieves net zero.
“We are on the right path to accomplish our 2028 goals,” Mr Mäkikalli explained. “Even just having that initial awareness is really positive.”
Other sustainable commitments involve responsible sourcing. Last year, the company implemented its Supplier Code of Conduct. A guideline for all MAKINEN suppliers, this highlighted the company’s expectations (from an ethical and ecological standpoint). In line with this,
the company aims to have the code signed by 80% of its supply chain as of the end of the 2023/2024 financial year.
As part of its commitment to becoming the industry benchmark, MAKINEN developed the IS Master Software in collaboration with partners. This software was initially created for the company’s cabin refurbishment projects and allows for precise planning and timely execution.
“The number of cabins can be 500 or 2,000,” said Mr Mäkikalli. “The figure doesn’t matter to us; we can easily scale up the project, especially with the implementation of our new software.”
Originally planned for use in 2020, the implementation of MAKINEN’s IS Master Software was halted due to Covid. With all its refurbishment projects on hold, the company continued to develop the system to ensure it continued to meet the evolving requirements of the marketplace. Once the cruise industry emerged from its two-year
slumber, MAKINEN’s software was ready to be put to work.
The company has just completed a project for CFC. Taking just over a month, this included renovation of 630 cabins and 18 public spaces. “One of our latest projects, the CFC Renaissance, is a very interesting example. Renaissance has given us a great opportunity to highlight our skill in public space renovation.”
Everything leads to one main objective for MAKINEN: the desire to positively influence the marine industry. “Our main goal for the future is to become the benchmark of our industry,” Mr Mäkikalli concluded. “And we will achieve that by continuing to provide premium solutions with pride, trust and quality assurance.
“The tourism industry has recovered well since Covid; people are wanting to travel the world and discover new places and cultures. It’s great to play a part in helping them achieve that.”
