This series highlights the companies, innovations and faces of the EnergyVaasa cluster – while offering a closer look at what collaboration within the cluster looks like in practice. This time, we visit Fintos, where CEO Tuuli Prinkkilä, Technical Expert Jarno Hokkanen and Chief Design Officer Niko Manninen explain how tailor-made engineering solutions are helping customers solve complex technical challenges to support the clean energy transition.
Fintos specializes in designing customized hydraulic, pneumatic and liquid cooling solutions for demanding industrial applications. Rather than offering standard products, the company works closely with its customers to develop solutions that meet the specific requirements of each project. Today, Fintos supports a wide range of industries, including hydrogen, methanol, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and data centres.
Scroll down to discover how Fintos transforms complex engineering challenges into practical solutions, how collaboration within the EnergyVaasa cluster supports the company’s development, and to get to know Tuuli Prinkkilä, Jarno Hokkanen and Niko Manninen – some of the experts behind Fintos’ engineering solutions and customer relations.
Custom engineering for the clean transition – click to read
What problem are you solving – and how?
Many new energy technologies place demands on equipment that standard products simply can’t meet. That’s where we come in.
We design and manufacture customized hydraulic, pneumatic and liquid cooling solutions for industries such as hydrogen, methanol, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and data centres. Instead of adapting an existing product, we start by understanding what the customer actually needs and then design a solution around those requirements.
Many of our projects involve developing a specific piece of equipment that becomes part of a much larger system. That means we also need to understand how our solution will work alongside the customer’s existing technology and processes. We work closely with our customers throughout the project to make sure everything functions as intended.
What makes your technology or approach unique?
No two projects are exactly alike, which is why flexibility is such an important part of the way we work.
Our team combines expertise in mechanical engineering, electrical systems and software, allowing us to manage projects from the first design sketches all the way to manufacturing, testing and commissioning. Because we handle so many stages of the process ourselves, we can adapt quickly when requirements change or new ideas emerge during a project.
Our collaboration with customers doesn’t end when the equipment is delivered either. We continue providing technical support and after-sales services to help ensure everything keeps running as expected.
What’s next for this innovation – and where do you hope it leads?
We’re seeing growing interest in areas such as hydrogen, energy storage, data centers and alternative fuels, and we expect that trend to continue.
Rather than focusing on developing one flagship product, we see our role as helping customers solve different kinds of engineering challenges. Every project is a little different, and that’s what makes the work interesting. The experience we gain from one project often helps us develop better solutions for the next.
A part of the EnergyVaasa cluster – click to read
What advice would you give to a startup joining the cluster today?
Our advice is to get involved from the very beginning. The more actively you participate in events, networking and discussions, the more you’ll get out of being part of the EnergyVaasa cluster.
For a growing company, it’s valuable to get to know other businesses in the region. You never know where a conversation might lead, and many opportunities start simply by meeting people and sharing ideas.
What role does collaboration within the cluster play for you?
Collaboration plays an important role in the way we work. Many projects require expertise from several different companies, and being part of the cluster makes it easier to find partners with complementary knowledge and experience.
It also gives us a chance to exchange ideas, learn from others and stay up to date with what’s happening in the industry. Even though each company has its own area of expertise, everyone is working towards many of the same goals.
Can you give an example of how you’ve benefited from the cluster?
EnergyWeek is probably the best example. We’ve participated in the event for several years, and it’s become an important opportunity for us to meet both existing and potential customers, strengthen relationships and make new connections.
Being part of the EnergyVaasa cluster has also helped us get to know other companies in the region and build collaborations over time. For us, one of the biggest strengths of the cluster is that it brings together companies with different expertise that can learn from each other and work together when the right opportunities arise.
Faces of EnergyVaasa: Tuuli Prinkkilä – click to read
What is your role in the company and what does your workday look like?
I am the CEO of Fintos and manage the company’s administration. My workday often involves meetings with clients, various stakeholders, and staff. I also continuously assess the current situation and evaluate whether we are progressing according to plan. My work includes planning for the future and resource allocation. Additionally, I attend various representational events on a somewhat irregular basis.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your work?
Situations vary, and no two days are alike at a company the size of Fintos. When the situation calls for it, I am ready to roll up my sleeves and pitch in myself—whether that means hopping behind the controls of a forklift or personally delivering an order to a customer.
What’s one project or achievement you’re especially proud of?
I am proud of and grateful for the talented, multidisciplinary team I have assembled. We have a strong team spirit, and colleagues help one another when help is needed.
If budget and time were no issue – what dream project would you launch tomorrow?
I would invest more in the product development of Finto’s own products. We have a pipeline of fantastic ideas, but limited resources are slowing down their market launch. I would also be bolder in recruiting more talent for Finto’s dream team. Our employees are our most important asset!
What advice would you give someone seeking opportunities in the EnergyVaasa cluster?
Don’t hesitate to get involved, network, and participate in various events! You will get exactly as much out of the EnergyVaasa cluster as the time and energy you invest in it.
Faces of EnergyVaasa: Jarno Hokkanen – click to read
What is your role in the company and what does your workday look like?
I work as a Technical Expert, and no two workdays are the same. My days consist of a wide variety of tasks, including 3D design, project planning, software development, technical support, product development brainstorming, preparing quotations, and hands-on manufacturing.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your work?
Many people are surprised by how diverse my work is. I bridge the gap between theoretical planning and physical production, handling everything from the initial design to the finished product.
What’s one project or achievement you’re especially proud of?
One of my proudest professional achievements has been my work on Fuel Lab projects for leading engine manufacturers. I’ve designed and manufactured several fuel testing devices and components that have played a critical role in solving complex testing challenges.
If budget and time were no issue, what dream project would you launch tomorrow?
I would create a fully integrated, AI-driven prototyping smart micro factory. It would be a place where a developer could input a theoretical concept or a 3D model, and an automated system would optimize the design, update the software and control advanced machinery to manufacture a high-precision final product overnight.
Merging digital design with hands-on physical manufacturing has always been my passion, and this would take that idea to the next level.
What advice would you give someone seeking opportunities in the EnergyVaasa cluster?
Continuous learning and a genuine passion for your craft are the true keys to growth. When you’re genuinely interested in what you do, new opportunities will always follow.
Faces of EnergyVaasa: Niko Manninen – click to read
What is your role in the company and what does your workday look like?
I am the Chief Design Officer (CDO) at Fintos. My workdays mainly consist of 3D design, meetings and customer visits. I design a wide range of projects and tailor-made solutions for our customers, while also developing equipment and tools for our own production.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your work?
Many people are surprised by how many different factors need to be considered when designing a functional piece of equipment. Sometimes you have to think outside the box to find the best possible solution, and the final product can end up looking quite different from the original concept. In the end, the most important thing is making sure the customer is satisfied with the result.
What’s one project or achievement you’re especially proud of?
One customer needed a cooling pipeline system and a pressure testing unit for their testing facility. We proposed a completely different pipeline solution from what they had originally requested and custom-designed the pressure testing unit to meet their specific requirements.
The customer was extremely pleased with the final solution and gave us excellent feedback. That made the project especially rewarding.
If budget and time were no issue, what dream project would you launch tomorrow?
I would love to develop a highly efficient and easily scalable filtration and cooling system for applications such as data centers. The goal would be to significantly reduce water consumption while helping facilities achieve their environmental sustainability targets.
What advice would you give someone seeking opportunities in the EnergyVaasa cluster?
I would encourage anyone interested to join the EnergyVaasa cluster with confidence. It offers excellent opportunities to build new connections, collaborate with other member companies and discover new business opportunities.
