Danish Defence Forces Procurement Organisation The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) and Sukkamestarit Oy have jointly signed a supply contract on 4.2.2025 for the manufacture of merino wool socks with a total value of at least approximately EUR 4 million, 750 000 pairs of socks. The contract allows for purchases of up to EUR 10.5 million, depending on demand.
Managing Director Jussi Koskinen from Sukkamestarit is justifiably happy. The four-year contract is significant for a Finnish sock factory, also in terms of employment:
- It is the largest and longest single supply contract in the history of the company. In practice, the contract means 13.4 man-years of work, says Koskinen, summing up the impact on the sock factory's operations.
The framework of the contract also creates recruitment and investment needs.
- The knitting machines have sufficient capacity, but we are investing in a washing line for socks. Normally the products are not prewashed, but in this case, we want to have the products ready for direct use, so we will prewash them during production. In addition, we may need to recruit 1-2 new people, adds Koskinen.
DALO organized a large tender for military socks in May 2024. 14 companies participated in the sock tender. In the competition, the products were thoroughly tested in garrisons for six weeks in autumn 2024. Merino wool socks made by Sukkamestarit performed overwhelmingly well in both laboratory tests and field conditions. The tender was based on 70% quality (Sukkamestarit score 4.46 out of 5) and 30% price (Sukkamestarit score 3.86 out of 5), and the Finnish company's products emerged as the winner with this weighting.
- It's great that socks are appreciated and recognized for their importance in effective outdoor clothing. Now the ball was thrown at the professionals - produce the best products for demanding conditions. This is a challenge for the manufacturer to put their full professionalism and expertise into product development. We won all the quality tests, with the price being the second highest, Koskinen says, reflecting on Denmark's exceptional way of competing for socks, which emphasized quality over price and gave end-users the power to choose products.
Sukkamestarit participated in the tender with a range of technical marine socks developed specifically for military use. Similar products have been sold in the past, including the Finnish Defence Forces, Dutch Marines and to consumers across Europe.
The agreement will open the products to the NATO system, making them available to the armed forces of other countries too.
Sukkamestarit will participate in the Enforce Tac trade fair for the government and security sector in Nuremberg, Germany, where the product range will be exhibited internationally from 24th to 26th of February 2025.
The main material of the socks is responsibly produced of NATIVA merino wool. Sukkamestarit Oy is the only sock factory in Europe to be certified under the demanding NATIVA sustainability and traceability program.
Preparations for socks are also underway domestically
The Finnish Defence Forces are currently running a sock procurement competition which Sukkamestarit is participating. The competition ends on 10th of March 2025. The competition product is the SA M05 merino wool liner sock, which is used, among other things, by the Finnish Defence Forces. Sukkamestarit has previously produced it for the armed forces.
For more information:
Jussi Koskinen, managing director
tel. +358 50 5827 230
jussi.koskinen@sukkamestarit.fi
Jani Tarkki, factory director
tel. +358 40 8418 632
jani.tarkki@sukkamestarit.fi
Product images, logos and illustrations: Download images for media
Sukkamestarit in a nutshell:
- Leading sock manufacturer in Finland
- Leading manufacturer of socks in Finland, with factory and headquarters in Ylöjärvi, Finland
- Company founded in 1996
- Turnover in 2024: 4 775 000€
- Export share of turnover in 2024: €1 200 000
- 35 employees
- Three own brands: Sukkamestarit, UphillSport and TOEZZ Hockey
