Second-generation entrepreneurial brothers Janne ja Tero Tirrones was a cause for celebration last May. At the annual meeting of the Finnish Wood Industry Association in Tampere, Punkaharjun Puutaito Oy was awarded the Wood Industry Company of the Year 2024.
It feels good to be honored by an outside party, as the company has a long history in the manufacturing of wood products.
“My father founded Puutaito in 1989. The generational change took place in 2002, when my brother Tero and I took over the management of the company. We have now been on that path for 22 years,” says Janne Tirronen.
First product still in production
The first products of Puutaito, which was established amidst the magnificent landscapes of Punkaharju, were roll end plugs needed by the paper and cardboard industry, which are placed on the ends of paper or cardboard rolls to prevent them from being damaged during storage and transport.
Wooden roller caps can be recycled almost as is.
“Roller head plugs are an important product for us, as they account for about a third of Puutaito's turnover. In addition to them, we manufacture disposable sheet pallets for the paper and cardboard industry,” says Tirronen.
Efficiency from factory to site
Puutaito also specializes in demanding solid wood solutions, the production of which utilizes modern and dimensionally accurate CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology. The company made its first CNC equipment investments in the 1990s, and new investments and competence development are still being made.
Puutaito uses the most modern woodworking machinery and design software to ensure that its products meet the latest industry requirements and customer needs.
The production of wooden elements uses LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber), which is stronger and stiffer than traditional lumber, and achieves an equally strong structure with less mass.
"Puuataito's factories produce high-quality and durable wooden elements for both housing production and public construction projects. The latest references include the machining of the wooden frame of the Jätkäsaari Wood City office building and the machining and further processing of the wooden frame of the Katajanokka Pier," lists Tirronen.
Finnish wood expertise for a Mexican luxury hotel
The story of Punkalive products began with a new method for further processing industrial wood materials designed by the founder of Puutaito and carpenter Tero Tirronen.
Today, Punkalive only manufactures project products and assemblies according to the wishes of the customer and designer.
Although Punkalive's design products are not a financially significant source of income for the company, they serve as a showcase for what can be made from Finnish wood.
There are also many interesting stories associated with Punkalive. For example, the ending of Punkalive chairs at the Mexican luxury hotel Temptation Cancun Resort.
“The hotel’s interior design was designed by a famous and award-winning designer Karim rashid"He found us at the Milan Interior Design Fair and visited the Puutaito factory to learn about the production technology. That's how the collaboration started," Tirronen recalls.
Punkaharjun Woodworking Ltd.
– Founded in 1989
– Manufactures wooden packaging materials for the paper and cardboard industry, sheet metal processing for the plywood industry, elements for wood construction, and Punkalive products
– Approximately 40 employees
– Offices in Punkaharju and Kerimäki
– Turnover 7,7 million euros (2023)
– Wood Industry Company of the Year 2024
