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.
Sockmakers Managing Director Jussi Koskinen is justifiably happy. The four-year contract is significant for a Finnish sock factory, also in terms of employment:
- It is a Sukkamestarit It is also 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 sock washing line. 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 organised 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. Sukkamestarit The company's merino wool socks performed overwhelmingly well in both laboratory tests and field conditions. The tender was based on 70% quality (Sukkamestare score 4.46 out of 5) and 30% price (Sukkamestare 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 recognised for their importance in effective outdoor clothing. Now the ball was thrown to the professionals - make the best products for demanding conditions. This is a challenge to 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 emphasised quality over price and gave end-users the power to choose products.
Sukkamestarit The company 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 up the products to the NATO system, making them available to the armed forces of other countries.
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 24 to 26 February 2025.
The main material of the socks is responsibly produced NATIVA marine wool. Sukkamestarit Oy is the only sock factory in Europe to be certified under the demanding NATIVA sustainability and traceability programme.
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 10 March.2025. The competition product is the SA M05 merino wool understocking, which is used, among other things, by the Finnish Defence Forces. Sukkamestarit has previously produced for the armed forces.
For more information:
Jussi Koskinen, Managing Director
p. 050 5827 230
jussi.koskinen@sukkamestarit.en
Product images, logos and illustrations: Download images for media
Sukkamestarit In a nutshell:
- Leading sock manufacturer in Finland
- Leading manufacturer of hosiery 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
- Employees 35
- Three own brands: Sukkamestarit, UphillSport and TOEZZ Hockey
