Our history
From industrial project deliveries to harvester head factory
Pekka Nevalainen established Outokummun Metalli Oy in 1980 with three other partners. From its establishment until the early 2000s, the company’s primary business was industrial project deliveries. Driven by the active mining operations in the local area, the company gained expertise particularly in the manufacturing of equipment related to material handling in the mining industry, such as conveyor systems and storage silos.
Over the years, Outokummun Metalli has also manufactured various other products, including gas cylinders, sludge handling equipment, and workpiece positioners, as well as performed various subcontracting and custom machining tasks in the manufacturing industry.
Alongside project business, the goal from the beginning was to find proprietary products that would balance the seasonal nature of project work. The development of harvester heads began in 1984 with the acquisition of the Finko processor grapple product rights. At that time, mechanical logging was in its early stages and Outokummun Metalli was pioneering work in the development of forest harvesting equipment. Many of the technical solutions used in today’s harvester heads, such as the four-driven feed rollers and multi-tree handling equipment, were developed at Outokummun Metalli.
The company became a family business in 2002 when the Nevalainen family continued the operations after the other founding partners retired. The production of harvester heads grew rapidly in the early 2000s, which gradually led to the discontinuation of industrial project deliveries. In 2003, Outokummun Metalli, in collaboration with John Deere Forestry Oy, established a joint venture, Waratah OM Oy. The product development of harvester heads was transferred to Waratah OM, allowing Outokummun Metalli to focus on the manufacturing of harvester heads. Through determined development work and significant investments, Outokummun Metalli has built a modern, contract manufacturing-focused factory in the 2000s, with its core business being the production of harvester head frames.
With the acquisition, the business gained a second pillar, and the Outokummun Metalli Group was formed when Outokummun Metalli Oy acquired Koneosapalvelu Oy Aliranta in 2011. The subsidiary is now named Koneosapalvelu Oy and its offerings include hydraulics, spare parts, and maintenance services for work machinery and industry.
Events over the years
1980
Pekka Nevalainen establishes Outokummun Metalli Oy. The company focuses on project deliveries and maintenance of machines for the mining and process industry.
1984
Product development and manufacture of harvester heads starts. Sales co-operation begins with the Rauma-Repola forestry machine group (today John Deere Forestry).
1986
Manufacture of steel LPG cylinders begins in Outokumpu. Manufacture discontinued in the 1990s as production moves abroad.
1989
Development of harvester heads proceeds at breakneck speed in the late 1980s. The one hundredth harvester head, a model H750, is manufactured in December 1989.
1990s
Coming into the 1990s, Outokummun Metalli’s standing as an expert supplier of conveyor systems and storage tanks is established. Demanding projects are carried out for Finnminerals Oy, Outokumpu Oy and Enocell Oy, among others.
1991
Outokummun Metalli acquires New Firo piece positioning equipment for its product range. Manufacturing starts in Outokumpu.
1999
The one thousandth harvester head is completed – a model H758. The so-called third-generation harvester heads are launched half-way through the 1990s. Innovations include four driving wheels, four delimbing knives and multi-tree handling.
2000
Possibly the most demanding industrial project of the company’s history: the design, manufacture and installation of ore processing equipment in Outokumpu Oy’s Pyhäsalmi mine. The majority of the equipment was installed at a depth of 1,400 metres.
2003
A company specialising in harvester head product development, Waratah OM Oy, is established together with John Deere Forestry.
2003-04
New production and office premises are built in the Sysmäjärvi industrial area in Outokumpu and the old engineering workshop is renovated. Major machine investments are made in connection with the launch.
2007
The company’s founder and Managing Director Pekka Nevalainen becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors. Jarmo Paakkunainen is appointed as the new Managing Director.
2008
The premises are expanded again, making the total surface area of the Sysmäjärvi plant 7,200 m2.
The industrial project and the New Firo piece positioning equipment business operations are transferred to a new company called Firotec. The piece positioning equipment operations will later continue at New Firo.
2009
Outokummun Metalli invests in energy wood harvesting by buying a share in Pentin Paja Oy. The company is known for its felling heads and stroke harvesters using the Naarva trademark.
2011
Koneosapalvelu Oy becomes Outokummun Metalli’s subsidiary through an acquisition, creating the Outokummun Metalli Group.
The manufacturing of Koneosapalvelu’s Vahva grapples begins at Outokummun Metalli’s factory. The first grapple manufactured at Outokumpu is the Vahva B27.
2014
The first of the C-series of Vahva grapples are launched. The completely updated C-series is manufactured entirely in Outokumpu.
2015
The company celebrates its 35-year journey at the roundhouse located adjacent to the plant. Sysmäjärvi’s old roundhouse was renovated with the support of Outokummun Metalli.
2016
Outokummun Metalli’s ten thousandth harvester head frame is completed in July. The model of the harvester head is a John Deere H414.
2018
The extensive development project ROBSI (robotised crosslinking) materialises when the new automatic multi-robot cell is introduced. The welding cell is used to manufacture harvester head frames, with the H415 as the first model in production.
Production management is extensively digitised in collaboration with our partner Collapick Oy.
The factory’s internal logistics improve when the welding facility’s material warehouse and operations are moved to new premises.
Outokummun Metalli’s 12,000th harvester head is finished. The harvester head is a Waratah H215E. This model is an efficient, next-generation debarking harvester head for processing eucalyptus trees.
2019
The strong development approach in production now continues in machining, when the new OKUMA machining centre is commissioned alongside four existing machining centres.
The Group expands by two new companies in September, when Outokummun Metalli’s subsidiary Koneosapalvelu acquires Kithydro Oy (based in Kitee) and Hyprox Oy (based in Lahti).
2020
Outokummun Metalli Oy turns 40 on May 9, 2020. The time to celebrate will come later, as the coronavirus pandemic prevents gatherings.
2021
A modern 3D scanner is introduced for quality assurance tasks.
2022
The second robotized automatic welding station doubles our robotic welding capacity (ROBSI II).
The 15,000th harvester head manufactured by Outokummun Metalli is completed. The harvester head model is Waratah H425.
2023
Factory premises are expanded by 1080 m2. The new facilities include a completely new assembly line for harvester heads.
A new machining center, DNS HM 1250, is put into operation. The completion of the machining center marks the conclusion of our investment program totaling 4.5 million euros.