The Finnish Wavin-Labko Ltd started the career of designing, developing and manufacturing various environmental applications already 45 years ago as a family-owned business. The company started its operation in Heinola, from where it moved via Tampere to Kangasala in 1982, where also the present head office is located.
The business operation of the former Oy Labko Ab (Ltd) was at first based on level gauging between the oil and water surface. Already at that time, the company was a pioneer in this field, since no other company used the same technology.
The sister company of Labko of that time manufactured GRP boats, and the advantages of using the GRP were found in R&D, too. As the result of innovations, a separator system was born, and added with the know-how in electronics, a forerunning product was presented in the market: a separator system equipped with an alarm device.
Soon, aside the separator systems, the company manufactured cesspools, which opened the way to a new field of business. Today, separator systems and the wastewater treatment systems in rural areas build the backbone of Wavin-Labko’s business. The company has pioneered in developing and manufacturing both of these product groups. The success has been based, not only on the productive innovations, but also on high quality, and on goal-directed developing of the business skills.
The GRP products of Wavin-Labko were first manufactured from the early 70’s onwards in Sysmä. With growing business, the production was moved to Joutsa in 1989. At this point, Lasa-Muovi Ltd, a facility focused only on production, was founded. Even today, it is here the GRP products are manufactured. Operational development and diversity called forth the need for a further facility to manufacture PE products. After 10 years, a PE plastics factory was built in Kangasala, located only a few kilometres from the head office.
In 2003 the business perspective was widened, as the family-owned company was sold to the international Wavin Group. “Oy Labko Ab” became “Wavin-Labko Ltd”, and also a subsidiary of the Danish Nordisk Wavin A/S.
Wavin is the leading supplier of plastic pipe systems in Europe. Separator and tank products fit well in its strategy. Pipes and tanks share the same distribution network, and additionally, pipes can be used with separator and tank products. Through the acquisition, Wavin-Labko has a new and significant marketing network in Europe. Wavin products are a welcome addition to Wavin-Labko’s product range in home markets. The company’s status as the engineer of various demanding solutions was strengthened.
Electronic level measuring and alarm devices, automation and identification, and web-based data transfer systems were a significant part of the Wavin-Labko’s product range for a long time. As the years passed, it was concluded that the level measurement business was rather far apart from the core know-how area of the company, and thus it was given up.
In 2007 the Net&Instruments unit was sold to the Swedish Indutrade AB. With the acquisition, both companies are able to strengthen their core areas in business, and can more accurately respond to the needs of each customer. Level measuring electronics is still a significant part of Wavin-Labko’s product range, and the reliable wastewater treatment solutions with their alarm devices are still available in one place.
Clean nature and rich water resources are a great and valuable matter, and their protection benefits everybody, and is everybody’s delight. Law on nature conservation takes a stand on wastewater management, too: Wastewater purification must be efficient enough to minimize the risk of any harm to environment. Wastewater treatment systems must base on known and tested methods.
Wavin-Labko presents the required solutions today and tomorrow. Environmentally friendly products, wide product range, and solid expertise are the company’s strengths, which can be trusted on in the future, too.
