Meet the team: Master welders Eeli and Marko

Finbins welding department employs a total of nine people, who ensure the high quality and durability of our products. The welding department is divided into four stations: Solar station (CitySolar compacting smart waste bin), Finbin station (waste and recycling bins), PT station (bike racks, benches, and tables), and canopy station (bike and bus shelters).

Eeli specializes in welding CitySolar smart waste bins and also serves as a safety representative, actively developing a safer working environment. His task is to listen to his colleagues and relay their concerns and suggestions to the management team.

Marko works at the Finbin station, welding waste and recycling bins. In addition, he serves as the chief shop steward, whose role is to promote the development of the work community and ensure employees' voices are heard in decision-making. Marko's workdays are filled with both practical welding tasks and supporting and listening to his colleagues.

Eeli and Marko work together to ensure that Lehtovuori's work environment is safe and motivating. Their responsible roles and open collaboration have laid the foundation for regular interaction with the production manager, where employee concerns and development suggestions are addressed. This systematic interaction has significantly improved the working environment over the past 1.5 years.

Eeli's career at Finbin began directly after vocational school, where he completed his studies as a sheet metal worker and welder, and he has worked for the company for over five and a half years. Eeli's dream from the start was to work at the Solar station as a welder, and a little over a year ago, his wish came true. The meticulous and sufficiently challenging work at the Solar station motivates Eeli.

Marko joined the company 13 years ago directly after vocational school, and all his internships and work placements have been completed at Finbin. Marko says he appreciates the company's commitment to the future. He commends the investment and development in the company. Many things have been done right to allow the company to grow. This keeps the future bright, and there is no fear that jobs at Lehtovuori would run out, which is no longer a given in these times.

For both, the most important things in the company are their colleagues and the sense of community. They appreciate being able to be completely themselves at work. The welding shop is indeed a close-knit community, where joint Christmas parties and other events are organized. This strong team spirit and mutual support are evident in daily work and have helped create an environment where everyone feels heard – regardless of age, experience, or gender.

Challenges and Skills in Welding

Welding requires precision and concentration. Every joint affects the final quality and durability of the product. Eeli and Marko adhere to strict standards, ensuring that every weld is as precise and durable as possible. Many myths surround welding, such as the idea that it is dirty and physically demanding. However, modern welding work is often clean and requires considerable craftsmanship. Eeli compares welding to tattooing, which he also has experience in.

Eeli shares an interesting fact about welding, which connects to his deep interest in astronomy: "Welding does not necessarily involve heat. For example, in space, which is a vacuum, welding does not require heat. Without an oxygen layer, metal molecules do not recognize that they are not one piece, so you can just press them together."

Eeli's and Marko's work at Finbin's welding shop demonstrates how the professionalism and commitment of individual employees form the foundation of the company's success. Their contribution is not limited to weld seams; they also significantly influence the spirit of the work community and the entire company culture.