Europe's most modern sock factory also sucks the feet of Chinese and Taiwanese
The sock masters have been awarded the Ylöjärvi Entrepreneur Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Award, justified by a growth and development hung. In addition to the entrepreneurial award, there is also reason to celebrate due to the ever -expanding market. CEO Jussi Koskinen is delighted that demand for merino wool design socks is growing in the global market. Socks made at Ylöjärvi at its own factory are increasingly reaching the feet of Chinese and Taiwanese trusting Finnish quality.
Founded in 1996 Sukkamestarit Oy, Teivo Business Park since 2001, the Finnish sock industry flagship company employs 35 textile professionals with a turnover of over EUR 5 million.
Success with responsible premium design ques
CEO Jussi Koskinen leads the largest Finnish sock factory that focuses on manufacturing in socks representing the premium level and top note. The products are made from well-controlled Nativa Merino wool. The entire raw material chain is 100 % traceable. This strongly supports the responsibility and sustainable development of the Ylöjärvi Factory. Koskinen says that the company has pruned all the rumors and successfully summarized its production into the most successful products.
Sukkamestarit Oy has largely abandoned cotton and bamboo as a raw material. More responsible alternatives are selected as replacement materials.
- We make all the socks with our own permanent staff at the Ylöjärvi plant. We do not use subcontractors or temporary labor. Already in 2018, we outlined our operating culture in 2018. For example, it would mean that we completely abandoned the import of tights and socks and focused on what we do best - making socks. This strategy has been very functional and drives us to our goals, Koskinen says.
Exports are pulling - now 30% of revenue from exports, with a target of 50%
In exports, Finnishness, Finnish quality and responsibility are of interest. Sukkamestarit Oy promotes exports purposefully and growth. According to Koskinen, export reports that have lasted for years have produced good results.
- Our goal is to increase exports so that 50 % of our production will go to export in three years, Koskinen outlines.
The sock masters are clear why investing in exports is important.
-Increasing the part of the export brings the desired security and buffer Sukkamestarit Oy's entire operation. When a company has many support legs, it withstands demand fluctuations. In our history, we have a period when a significant part of our production went to two domestic trading operators. Such a concept is vulnerable, Koskinen knows.
Currently from Ylöjärvi Socks 30 % exported abroad.
- We are also developing and investing in our online store, which operates globally, Koskinen adds. E -commerce sales account for ten percent of net sales and production.
Sukkamestarit Oy already has exports to a couple of ten countries. The most important export countries are Germany, Sweden and Norway familiar to many.
- Particularly attractive and interesting export countries include China and Taiwa, Koskinen lists.
The latest conquest, China and Taiwan are a huge market with a lot of quality conscious and purchasing power consumers, for whom Finland itself is promised to quality.
- The fact that the tiny Finland and a relatively small Ylöjärvi factory reaches to China and Taiwan will certainly not be the first to come to mind. There are a significant number of people in these major markets who value high -quality products made in Finland, says Koskinen.
Success in the world requires work and nothing comes for free. The contacts must be created by themselves and the home base must be in order. Therefore Sukkamestarit Oy invests in modern technology and machinery. Jussi Koskinen is delighted that Ylöjärvi has the most modern sock factory in Europe.
- The fact that the machines represent the last cry is an absolute prerequisite for growth and profitable operations. This brings competitiveness and flexibility. We are always ready to make sensible investments, says Koskinen.
Further information:
CEO, Jussi Koskinen
050 582 7230
Jussi.koskinen@sukkamestarit.fi
