The 80-year history of FB Ketjutekniikka Oy has spanned many different stages. But the core business has remained the same throughout the decades: FB Ketju factory designs and manufactures conveyor chains and components for industrial plants around the world. The company is known for its high quality. This will remain a matter of the heart for FB Ketju also in the future.
The companies Oy Ammus and Oy Sytytin, founded by Rafael Lönnström, manufactured military equipment in Rauma until production ceased in the autumn of 1944. At that time, an armistice agreement was signed with the Soviet Union.
The Lönnström companies had a thousand employees when the main business was taken away. New production lines had to be found. The ammunition factory was converted into a machine shop and became involved in war reparations production. In 1945, the company started supplying railway wagons and conveyor chains to the Soviet Union.
After the war reparations, conveyor systems became Ammus’ main business. In the 1950s, they were produced mainly for the pulp, paper, chemical and metallurgical industries. Reorganisations have taken place over the years and ownership has changed, but the conveyor business continues.
The company’s production was transferred from Rauma to Köyliö in 1979. From there, FB Ketju moved to Rauma Lappi 40 years later.
– We found almost twice the space in Lappi. We were also able to increase capacity by optimising the production layout during the move. Now we have around 6,000 square metres of space and room for expansion on the site. I believe that more space will be needed in the future,” says Mika Suomi, Managing Director.
Since 2000, FB Ketju has been part of the Swedish listed company Addtech Group.
– Addtech is not a traditional private equity investor, but an industrial owner that acquires companies that can be developed to become better in their core business.
People are our greatest asset
For FB Ketju, high quality is a top priority, a matter of the heart; high quality also requires investment.
– We were somewhat behind in terms of equipment, but in recent years we have turned the situation around through investments.
However, quality is not only achieved through good equipment, but also through the people who work in the company.
– We have invested in safety and well-being in many ways. Employees’ ideas are genuinely listened to and they also have a say. People are our greatest asset,” says Suomi.
A forerunner for conveyor chain manufacturers
Today, FB Ketju manufactures a variety of conveyor chains, sprockets and other chain related components for the energy, wood, paper, mining, cement and recycling industries, among others. For decades, the company has also worked with leading steel mills in the Nordic countries.
Much of the production is exported, but there is probably not a sawmill, paper mill or power plant in Finland that has never bought FB Ketju products.
In 1993, FB Ketju became the first Nordic conveyor chain manufacturer with a certified ISO 9001 quality system. The company was awarded environmental certification in 2002 and Today sustainability is an increasingly important part of everyday life.
The Managing Director Suomi sums up the guiding principle of FB Ketju:
– Our customers can count on two things: FB Ketju is always moving forward – and our chains never stop moving!