There are collaborations, and then there are partnerships that stand the test of time. The history of the Ylivieska plant began with a single filled zinc kettle in 1976. Back then, the mission was to serve Wärtsilä’s production of marine piping. Today, five decades later, volumes have increased fivefold – but the zinc supplier remains the same: Boliden.
Måns Jungar, Laboratory and Sales Manager at Boliden, has been working with the team for over a decade: “My collaboration with Recion started more than 10 years ago. I remember my first visit to Ylivieska. I felt warmly welcomed from the very first meeting.”
“The zinc man in distress”
A long-term partnership isn’t just about the sunny days. Pekka Poutiainen, Head of the Galvanizing Unit at Recion, shares an anecdote that demonstrates what a personal relationship means in practice. On one occasion, the zinc inventory ran critically low – a nightmare for an operation that stands or falls with its raw material.
“I called Boliden, crossed my fingers, and apologized. After a few phone calls, they managed to arrange an emergency delivery lightning-fast. They understood the ‘zinc man in distress’ and did everything possible to keep our stocks from running dry,” says Pekka.
Måns emphasizes that it is precisely these personal relationships, built over many years, that make it possible to solve issues with minimal consequences.
“I feel that both parties have a solution-oriented mindset,” Måns says. “There is a genuine willingness to understand the other party’s constraints and challenges when we face issues together.”
Spreading “the gospel of zinc” together
While the basic process of galvanizing has remained the same throughout the years, Pekka notes that the development of advanced pre-alloyed zinc ingots has progressed tremendously, which has kept the company moving forward. Today, the partnership also extends beyond the factory walls, promoting the best ways to protect steel against corrosion.
“Our main cooperation is, of course, the partnership regarding zinc supply. However, we also collaborate through the Nordic Galvanizers association, influencing the surface treatment section of the Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association, analyzing zinc quality, and generally spreading ‘the gospel of zinc’ to the world,” says Pekka.
A partnership built to last
Although the plant in Ylivieska has undergone many changes in ownership and name over the years, Boliden has remained a stable constant. The secret behind a half-century of cooperation is simple yet powerful: a solution-oriented mindset and a genuine feeling of being important to one another.
As Pekka summarizes: “They are a reliable partner in all situations, and besides, it’s simply great to work with good people.”
