Ukonhauta Oy stands out through its expertise and relies on a strong partner network, of which Marakon has been a part since the 1990s. Ukonhauta Oy, which provides production and maintenance services for heavy industry, has experienced the changes in the field over its more than 30 years of operation – from recycling requirements to the diversification of demolition work. With solid experience, high-quality equipment and a carefully selected partner network, the company, which thrives in a highly competitive industry, trusts in the expertise of Marakon, part of Normet, when it comes to both equipment and other services.
Changes in the operating environment, legislation, and increasingly stringent requirements – these are the biggest factors that have challenged players in the industrial sector over recent decades. Olli Tiilikainen, who has served as CEO of Ukonhauta Oy for 7 years, has steered the company through a constantly changing environment in which the importance of good partnerships is highlighted. Despite the changes, the principles of Ukonhauta's operations are, and will remain: Heavy work is not something to be feared – words are turned into action.
A major focus of Ukonhauta's operations is industrial screening and recycling services. In addition, the company helps its customers carry out demolition work and related recycling efficiently and cost-effectively. Other supporting maintenance, servicing and upkeep work also forms part of Ukonhauta's service portfolio. While strong partnerships are important, Ukonhauta's own skilled personnel also play a central role in the quality of the services.
Particularly on the demolition side, competition is really fierce. That's where you stand out through expertise, flexibility and versatility. In addition, labour availability is generally a challenge in the industry. I'm glad that our team has been happy here. That makes a crucially significant difference, says Tiilikainen.
A trusted hydraulic hammer strengthens Ukonhauta's fleet
Ukonhauta's fleet includes around 45 wheeled or tracked machines. The fleet includes, among other things, lorries and vans, chipping machines and excavators. Hydraulic hammers are essential to Ukonhauta, and they are used in demolition work as well as in the processing of by-products from the steel industry, such as slag. The latest addition to the fleet is the Normet Xrock XB18 hammer, which Ukonhauta's professionals chose based on a recommendation from Marakon. The acquisition of the hammer became timely when maintaining the previous machine was no longer cost-effective.
If anyone other than someone from Normet or Marakon had suggested a new hammer, we probably wouldn't have considered it. However, this hammer was immediately available, and we were also offered the opportunity to trial it before making a decision. That had a big and important influence on our decision-making, says Tiilikainen.
During the trial period, it became clear that the hammer was a suitable choice for the intended task. The Xrock XB18 is used at Ukonhauta for cleaning and breaking slag pieces at a steel plant. The work also involves a few special stages. Working with hot steel is not straightforward, as the temperature around the hammer can reach up to 1,000 degrees.
We tried the hammer and found that it's really good. The heat resistance is excellent, and the long chisel compensates for the fact that the hammer body is quite wide. The long chisel allows for precise work, as intact structures must not be damaged. On top of that, the hammer delivers plenty of power, says Tiilikainen.
Everything starts with the customer
The most demanding operating hours for the new hammer are still ahead. However, Ukonhauta trusts in Normet's solutions and in the hammer continuing to carry out work efficiently and accurately going forward. Normet's and Marakon's long experience with equipment and in the industry makes it possible to strengthen the lifecycle of the machines at every stage.
One of the great things about both Normet and Marakon is that their knowledge of the equipment they sell is really strong. You can always get help from them if you need it. Their spare parts availability and product support are truly impressive, says Tiilikainen.
Planning and executing every job according to the individual needs of the customer is an important value in Ukonhauta's operations. This characteristic connects Ukonhauta and Marakon, and forms the basis of mutual trust. Work is handled properly, and when mistakes happen, responsibility is taken.
