Valtasiirto Oy manages logistics in a fast-paced industrial sector and has relied on Marakon's expertise year after year. Operating in the industrial logistics sector demands long-term commitment and rapid response capabilities from companies: most factories run around the clock, leaving no room for unnecessary interruptions. In addition, the operating environment for hydraulic hammers in particular can be challenging due to, among other things, extreme temperatures. When Valtasiirto Oy, which has been providing logistics services in the industrial sector for over 20 years, needs a trusted partner and durable hammers, they turn to Marakon, part of Normet.
Hectic days are nothing new for Jani Sillberg, Workshop Manager at Valtasiirto Oy. He is responsible for coordinating Valtasiirto's maintenance team and his days also include a varied mix of troubleshooting equipment faults, maintenance work, and sourcing spare parts and handling requests for quotations. Working in two shifts, the in-house maintenance team never gets a chance to get bored.
Valtasiirto's core operations focus on internal and external industrial logistics services. The company's activities also include terminal services that support the changing warehousing needs of Valtasiirto's customers. In addition, Valtasiirto also offers its partners on-call maintenance and repair services for work machinery. When there are many moving parts in a demanding day-to-day environment, the importance of reliable partnerships is emphasised. Normet, of which Marakon is now a part, has been an important partner for Valtasiirto for years.
Our job is to ensure that both our own and our customers' work runs as smoothly as possible. The stronger the know-how about what needs to be done when machinery develops potential faults, the faster we can get back up and running. Both Normet and Marakon have strong expertise especially when it comes to hammers, and whenever we've needed quick assistance with maintaining our own equipment, they've always come through for us, says Sillberg.
Durable, efficient equipment plays a key role in extreme working conditions
Valtasiirto acquired a new Normet Xrock XB14 hammer for its fleet in early 2023. When the maintenance costs of the old hammer became too expensive, a Marakon expert recommended a new hammer to Valtasiirto, and after a successful trial period, the hammer was purchased as a permanent addition to the fleet.
We were given the chance to try out the new hammer at our own pace before making a decision. Deliveries and other services with Normet went smoothly, just as agreed. The new hammer largely matched the specifications of the previous one in use. Although there were slight differences in strike speed, during the trial period we found the hammer to be well suited for the work required, says Sillberg.
The new Xrock XB14 hammer has been in active use at a metal smelter, where metals are separated from various raw materials for industrial use. At the smelter, slag is removed from the converter furnace using the hammer several times a day. The slag is on average 1,300–1,400 degrees Celsius, so the hammer is required to deliver optimal performance under extreme conditions.
The hammer has to be extremely durable, precise, and sufficiently powerful. The air surrounding the slag being removed can easily exceed 1,000 degrees Celsius, but the hammer still needs to deliver proper striking force and remain accurate. The hammer glows red while in use, but this XB14 has excellent heat resistance, says Sillberg.
Trusted partners supporting each other year after year
Valtasiirto has been satisfied with the hammer recommended by Marakon's professional. Although the body of the new hammer is slightly more robust in appearance than the previous one for durability reasons, operators have grown accustomed to its dimensions during use. Also important has been the sufficiently long, sturdy chisel, which has compensated for the larger body and made the work smooth and efficient. Sillberg sees that the hammer's characteristics meet the demands of the required task well.
The hammer has to be extremely durable, precise, and sufficiently powerful. The air surrounding the slag being removed can easily exceed 1,000 degrees Celsius, but the hammer still needs to deliver proper striking force and remain accurate. The hammer glows red while in use, but this XB14 has excellent heat resistance, says Sillberg.
The hammer body has held up well through long working hours and, despite the heat, no problems have arisen. The hammer operators have reported that the Xrock XB14 is easy to use and that the slag comes off efficiently. And that's what matters most in this line of work, says Sillberg.
In addition to a positive product experience, Valtasiirto continues to place strong trust in Marakon's expertise going forward. As a partner, Sillberg describes Marakon as precise and efficient. Decades of experience in the industry and with the equipment enables excellent customer service and high-quality workmanship.
