Signode Finland manufactures automatic stretch wrapping machines for pallet loads at its Masku facility in Southwest Finland. The production facility, constructed in 1988 and extended in 1997, reflects the style of its time with its sauna facilities and exposed rock walls in the production hall.
According to Ville-Pekka Ihatsu, Quality and Occupational Safety Engineer at Signode, maintenance backlog had been building up over the years. Leaking roofs and unreliable heating were clear signs that repairs were needed.
“In wintertime the production hall often became cold as the large overhead doors needed to be opened to bring materials in. The oil heating system could fail and if fault alarms didn’t reach property maintenance, employees could arrive at work to find the temperature inside at 13-14 degrees. It was frustrating.”
Summers brought the opposite challenge. Opening doors created airflow but also stirred up dust, adding to the discomfort
A well-founded expert view on the necessary activities needed makes it easier to discuss investments with the owners.
Ville-Pekka Ihatsu, Quality and Occupational Safety Engineer, Signode Finland
Valuable insights from condition assessment
Granlund carried out a Condition Assessment of the property, providing a clear ten-year outlook on repair needs. For Ihatsu, the site inspection was both an informative and a positive experience:
“Walking through the plant with the experts gave me valuable knowledge on what to monitor and pay attention to in the future.”
The recommendations from the assessment were stored in Granlund Manager, giving Signode a transparent view of upcoming repairs and preliminary cost estimates. This structured information makes it easier to plan ahead and to discuss investment needs with the property owners.
Response times for maintenance are easy to track and, according to Ihatsu, they have improved since adopting Granlund Manager.
Raising the quality of property management
A few years ago, in addition to his own role, Ihatsu was given the responsibility for managing the property and its upkeep. While facility safety as part of occupational safety was familiar to him, and his engineering background provided a technical foundation, he had little direct expertise in property management.
Beyond a long-term view of repair needs, he also needed a tool to bring more structure to daily property management.
At Signode, everyday maintenance is handled by an external property service company. Having used Granlund Manager with other clients, they recommended the software to Ihatsu as well.
When Granlund Manager was first introduced, the experience at Signode was equally positive. Maintenance response times are now easy to follow and according to Ihatsu, they have improved since the system was taken into use. Service requests are no longer left sitting in an inbox but are delivered directly through Granlund Manager.
There’s no need to go searching for a specific drawing in a pile of papers anymore. All the drawings are available on the computer.
Documents in order
The facility’s drawing management has also become significantly easier. Granlund’s experts reviewed and scanned the site’s paper drawings and stored them as digital files in Granlund Manager.
“There’s no need to go hunting for a specific drawing in a pile of papers anymore – it’s enough to open the file on the computer,” says Ihatsu.
Better conditions, better safety
A few years ago, in addition to his own role, Ihatsu was given the responsibility for managing the property and its upkeep. While facility safety as part of occupational safety was familiar to him, and his engineering background provided a technical foundation, he had little direct expertise in property management.
With clear recommendations in place, Signode has already implemented key upgrades. The heating system has been renewed, eliminating the need for temporary heaters and cold surprises on winter mornings. This summer, new air source heat pumps will keep the facilities cool during heatwaves.
For Ihatsu, these improvements are also an investment in occupational safety: “Technical solutions like cooling mean employees no longer need to work in hot temperatures.”
Next steps include a condition survey of the roof and repairs to the yard area. Expansion of the facilities is also being considered and Granlund Manager’s data will support decision-making there, too.
