TK-Vilmet has large-scale investment projects in order to increase production capacity and enhance energy management. Recent acquisitions, such as the modern Tos Varnsdorf machine tools and the Hyundai HA006B welding robot station are part of the company’s continuous development. An important step is the abandonment of oil heating, which is part of the sustainable recovery of the economy and a response to the climate crisis and natural degradation. The heating renovation of the welding hall represents new technology and translates to economic savings for the company in addition to environmental impacts.

Machine shop TK-Vilmet is renewing its production environment

With the help of an energy subsidy received for the project, an investment related to energy saving and efficiency was carried out at TK-Vilmet, which promotes the introduction of new technologies. A new solution for the abandonment of oil heating is a waste heat recovery system of the welding hall, a pilot project of which was also carried out in Lehtosen Konepaja, a group company of LEKO Group. Positive experiences gained from the introduction and functioning of the system were transferred to the benefit of TK-Vilmet and the renovation was carried out in record time in approx. four months. In heat recovery of ventilation, the heat energy of the exhaust air is transferred back to the supply air and to the heating system of the property. This improves the energy efficiency of the building and reduces heat loss caused by ventilation.

Minimal energy expenses and good air quality

According to the experience gained, heat recovery saves up to 70% of energy and the consumption of heating energy is reduced by 30-40%. In addition to the minimum energy expenses, the air quality remains extremely good, as can be seen at Lehtosen Konepaja. In practice, the benefits are also noticed in the fact that during the winter, the heat does not escape from the property and during the summer, the ventilation is sufficient. There were two ventilators installed in the welding hall of TK-Vilmet and when the system was fully operational, it already paid itself back within two months. Plumbing and equipment installation in the welding hall did not hinder production, but it continued without interruption during evening hours and weekends. The decommissioned above-ground oil tank was delivered empty for metal recycling.

LEKO Group wishes to thank their customers and partners for successful days at the Subcontracting Fair 27.-29.9.2022. The themes of this year’s fair were the attractiveness, needs and makers of industry. The fair remains the most significant industry meeting place in Finland, and that is why all LEKO Group businesses were represented at our stand at A 1002, and all positions were manned for quality encounters in customer meetings. Every company in the group showcased their own activities and the customer benefits that the businesses can offer together. LEKO Group does offer its customers a tight network of benefits and specialty solutions with four partners.

Machine investments a point of interest

The focus in the discussions with customers was in LEKO Group’s latest machine investments and the development of the machinery in general. Both Lehtosen Konepaja and TK-Vilmet have expanded their welding and machining capacity as well as their production facilities over the past year. Building expansions, renovations and new construction are on-going, affecting also logistics and operational reliability. Customer orders consists of increasingly larger pieces and more extensive series. Enhancing production is also significant in developing low-carbon circular economy and digitalisation of industrial processes, which is one of the aims of LEKO Group’s activities.

Significant demand in development of own products

The developing production capacity of the group companies also directly influences the design and sales of industrial fans. At the Subcontracting Fair, machinery modifications and spare part deliveries also raised interest. LEKO Fans, specialising in demanding fan solutions, can offer their customers group benefits in material expenses, flexible production as well as customer deliveries.

The screw conveyors of Siirtoruuvi and LEKO conveyor systems also received deserved attention. At the fair, the company talked about project-specific solutions and implementations in the production of renewable energy, among others. Customers also valued the expertise of Siirtoruuvi and LEKO Fans in industrial projects where there is a need for tailored products of both companies. If needed, the entire LEKO Group participates in planning and manufacturing.

PulPaper 2022, the leading international event for the forest industry at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre was a long-awaited opportunity to meet our customers and partners. Of the companies in the LEKO Group, out joint stands showcased LEKO Fans Oy and Siirtoruuvi Oy that provide their design and manufacturing expertise and customer-tailored products for the needs of, among others, the forest industry. New forms of energy, developing industries, and climate change increase demand for industrial fans from LEKO Fans, screw conveyors by Siirtoruuvi, and LEKO conveyor solutions in several industrial sectors. The companies offer their products also as joint projects for both new manufacture and renovation targets.

Customer feedback tells us that the event was highly successful. We created new contacts, strengthened old customerships, and are happy to say that LEKO Group’s service-oriented concept impressed many international companies as well.
Companies that operate within the same group support one another and yield many benefits to customers in areas such as product design, cost-effectiveness, and production and quality control. LEKO Fans Oy and Siirtoruuvi Oy differ from the other operators in the field by not only providing engineering design but also delivering comprehensive manufacture. The LEKO Group companies in the heavy and medium-heavy mechanical engineering industry include Lehtosen Konepaja Oy and TK-Vilmet Oy.

In the Suomen Asiakastieto Oy credit rating system, Lehtosen Konepaja Oy has been among the Strongest in Finland Platinum® companies between 2019–2022. For this certificate, we wish to thank Suomen Asiakastieto, our customers, our partners, and in particular our knowledgeable staff who has enabled us to achieve this success. In 2023 we will celebrate the 100 years of history for Lehtosen Konepaja and proudly continue the traditions of Finnish labour.

”The certificate is a sign of a company’s positive financial figures, creditworthiness, background information, and good payment behaviour. The Strongest in Finland certificate tells the customers, partners, credit granters,
and other stakeholders that cooperation with the company rests on a solid foundation.”

The Strongest in Finland Platinum certificate is given to a company with the highest Rating Alfa credit rating for a minimum of three consecutive years. This certificate is granted by Suomen Asiakastieto Oy.

TK-Vilmet continues making new investments, and as production increases, the latest acquisition in the subcontracting machine shop – Tos Varnsdorf WHN 130 Q – adds to the capacity of the comparable machine purchased in 2020. Both machines are tailored to match the workshop’s requirements, and compared to the previous one, the new machine’s Y-axis motion has been increased from 2000 to 2500. The Czech TOS Varnsdorf a.s. is a manufacturer of metal machining equipment with long-standing traditions and modern, CNC controlled, and reliable machinery. As we are already familiar with TOS broaching machines and our staff has received extra training for their use, commissioning the new machine went smoothly and the whole production capacity was quickly up and running at the workshop.

The subcontracting machine shop TK-Vilmet is part of the LEKO Group. In addition to joint administration, we have synergy gains from the large-scale machine workshop of an internationally developing group and a service concept for the metal industry. These enable TK-Vilmet to offer their customers bigger and more demanding wholes.

Basics of the new machine:
Tos Varnsdorf WHN 130 Q
Control: Heidenhain TNC 640
Spindle : Ø 130 mm, 3000rpm, 41 kW, cooling through 40 bar, 60 slot automatic tool changer
Range: X=3000, Y=2500, Z=1250, W-800
Carousel table: 1400 x 1600mm, 8000 kg

Lehtosen Konepaja is again investing in the productivity of welding technology and is determined to invest in its machine base.
In heavy machinery manufacturing, highly automated solutions and welding robots increase the technological expertise required for demanding customer work.
For example, machine frame manufacturing typically consists of parts manufacturing, welding, heat treatment, machining and surface treatment.
In particular, our welding and surface treatment departments are top-notch and the main objective is still to increase the welding power and productivity. Our new acquisition is a submerged arc welding tower ESAB CaB 460 M, 7×5 M.

Submerged arc welding tower ESAB CaB 460 M, 7×5 M

The submerged arc welding tower ESAB CaB 460 M, 7×5 M multiplies production power, speeds up welding and improves the lead time of production. The submerged arc welding tower increases productivity, e.g. compared to automatic welding even five times, not to mention manual welding. Robot welding provides uniform and good quality quickly and cost-effectively. Especially for thicker materials, productivity. Submerged arc welding also has a significant safety and environmental aspect, as it does not emit heat, light or welding fumes.

Benefits of submerged arc welding:
• Speed and cost-effectiveness
• Suitable for large material thicknesses
• Suitable for handling large pieces
• Ensures consistent and good quality
• Best welding process for the working environment
• Relieves the employee from manual, physical welding

LEKO Group participates in PulPaper2022, Helsinki 7.-9.6.2022. In particular, the theme at the trade fair is our own product manufacturing, i.e. Siirtoruuvi Oy’s conveyors and LEKO Fans Oy’s industrial fans. At the department, you also have the opportunity to discuss the needs of the heavy and medium heavy metal industry with Lehtosen Konepaja and TK-Vilmet experts.

Siirtoruuvi products include conveyor process solutions, standard and customized screw conveyors,
complete conveyor screw pumps, conveyor screws, vertical screws, dilution screws, coils, screw bases and tearing screws.

LEKO Fans is an expert in industrial fan services that manufactures centrifugal fans for various industrial sectors. Our experts help customers ensure that their processes work by also providing fan condition monitoring and maintenance.

The companies of the manufacturing metal industry of the LEKO Group are TK-Vilmet and Lehtosen Konepaja.
TK-Vilmet is a subcontracting machine shop that manufactures machine and equipment structures and components according to customer needs as ready-to-install products or assemblies.
Lehtosen Konepaja is a system supplier, producing the customer’s individual products as ready-to-use product and machine.
The areas of production include system deliveries, manufacture of machine bodies and demanding machinable parts.

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