Master of Tuotanto – Mika Kruuse: ”A Shared Commitment to Quality”

The Raumaster Oy Sampaanala workshop principally manufactures screw reclaimers. Plater-Welder Mika Kruuse must handle various manual skills and different welding processes and must also be able to read and interpret technical drawings.

The Sampaanala workshop employs professionals across various production phases. Plater-welders play a crucial role in the production process by manufacturing and assembling screw reclaimers and their components.

Having worked as a Plater-Welder at Raumaster Oy since January 2019, Mika Kruuse understands the importance of Manufacturing in the production process, as the final quality is shaped by their hands.

"Each of us carries the responsibility for our own tasks and always does our work as well as possible. We understand the standards of quality, and everyone working in Manufacturing is committed to making long life cycle, high-quality products. Here, we have true professional pride", says Kruuse.

”A Plater-Welder must have a solution-oriented mindset and a genuine will to take care of product quality.”

He works at the screw hall of the workshop, manufacturing screws as his principal task. Kruuse welds the screws’ threads in place. Additionally, he transfers stock with a forklift truck, along with shelving and labeling items.

"A Plater-Welder must understand the equipment and its individual details. Making screws involves various phases, such as pulling the threads, installing the threads on the pipe, covering the screw pipes, shafting the screws, and welding. I work on all of these tasks, and the variety of work makes the everyday meaningful."

"Throughout the years, I have worked with scribing and welding machines, and I have recently been involved in the reimplementation of the welding robot. The robot has been out of use for a couple of years, and we’ve been working on its startup throughout the spring."

An equation of varied expertise

Plater-Welders cut, shape and work metal with tools such as metal-shearing, trimming, and angle bending machines. They must also extensively grasp different welding techniques.

At the workshop, machinery is manufactured according to the technical drawings designed by the Engineering department, so Kruuse needs to accurately read and interpret them. Alongside his work, he makes sure that the end product matches the correct measurements and quality standards.

"I look at the drawings from a machinery point of view, and at times I notice things that should be taken into consideration. After this, a foreperson will take the matter up with Engineering, and we’ll make the necessary changes. By leveraging the professional skills of every phase of work, we are able to create a high-quality end product — in this case, the screw reclaimer", Kruuse emphasises.

A solution-oriented routine of continuous learning

When Kruuse started working at Raumaster, he already had long term work experience in metal industry positions. The foundation for the professional skill of a Plater-Welder is created at school, but much like many other professions, the final strong and wide-ranging knowledge is formed through practical work and teachings from more experienced colleagues.

"In this work, one must have a solution-oriented way of thinking and a genuine will to take care of product quality, along with the skills to investigate issues while ensuring that the equipment manufactured is precisely as planned", says Kruuse.

At the workshop, close communication is actively maintained, and the experience of other colleagues is regularly utilised.

"Manufacturing is teamwork, and with us, communication works extremely well. The less-experienced constantly get to learn new things in their daily work, and they each have their own mentors, even though they can and have the courage to ask anyone for help or advice."

Master of Tuotanto – so how is manufacturing mastered?

Mika Kruuse, Plater-Welder, Raumaster: “Raumaster quality is made together. We take our work seriously, but not ourselves, meaning we do high-quality work and have professional pride, but in a good work environment, there must also be humour. With us, everyone knows their role and their responsibilities, and that’s how a good end result is created.”