Case Maper: Product specialization led to business growth
How a potential growth can be achieved in small business
Timo and Mari Kyyrönen have been managing Maper Oy’s operations successfully and passionately since 2007. Today, the company is one of the leading manufacturers of valves and mechanical actuators especially in the pulp & paper industry. Over the past 15 years, the company has grown and developed steadily but grows now faster than ever. How to turn a company with potential growth into a successful operator with sustainable business values and growing expertise?
Timo Kyyrönen, majority owner and CEO of Maper joined the company after being ten years as CEO at the Tampereen Insinööritoimisto and at Tampereen Laakerikeskus. “Compared to the current situation, a lot has changed since we arrived here. Production has been modernized by renovating facilities and developing products. In addition, the company has implemented digital leap by investing in the development of its IT systems and raising awareness of Maper and its products.” Mari Kyyrönen agrees. “In the early days, the work on the administration side was done almost entirely manually. Thanks to the IT investments and the ERP system, the company’s efficiency has increased and the company has been able to focus on growing by developing its own products from the customer’s point of view.”
“The competitive advantage is that you can offer something that other operators on the market can’t do or what they don’t have”
The resources saved through the investments also made it possible to expand the product portfolio with Maper´s mechanical actuators in addition to own valve production. The competitive advantage gained through strong specialization has rapidly increased sales in recent years and thus also created more jobs in the company. “When specializing in a particular branch, you need to know exactly how the product works from the customer’s point of view. The competitive advantage is that you can offer something that other operators on the market can’t do or what they don’t have.”
“Low hierarchy and high commitment will create a strong community inside the company”
Maper has also maintained its competitive advantages by engaging staff in the company’s operations and goals. “Low hierarchy and high commitment will create a strong community inside the company. At Maper, some employees have worked in three different decades for the company.” With its company values, Maper has succeeded in creating a work community, where know-how flows completely inwards. When community members understand the importance of their own contribution, their strengths, and their potential areas for development, the defined business goals can be achieved much more effectively.
11.5.2022
