Hautala Service Oy, operating in Ilmajoki, was originally founded in 1987 for maintenance activities. Over the years, the operation has grown and expanded to the import and sale of professional machines, such as high-performance mowers and green machines. It is a family business, whose operations today include, in addition to the original entrepreneur Jarkko Hautala, his brother Arto and Jarkko's two sons, Joel and Tuomas.
Joel Hautala joined the company full-time in December 2015, after graduating as a construction foreman.
- When I was still in high school, it wasn't clear that I would come to work here, but at the point when I came, it was clear as day, says Hautala.
- In the family business, we have a good dynamic and we get along well with each other. We all have a slightly different view because we are different ages and have different backgrounds. The elders know how to do it and we younger ones bring development. No one pushes back too much and the decisions have been made unanimously, says Joel Hautala.
The maintenance hall brought much-needed additional space
Most of the turnover for the company comes from imports. In addition, machine maintenance is carried out in Ilmajoki and at authorized service points all over Finland. The long experience can be seen in the operation in many ways and, for example, the reliability of delivery of spare parts for imported brands has been kept high. The company is constantly thinking about how the operations could be developed.
- My brother is getting a higher education in maintenance. They would like to further develop the maintenance side and acquire modern systems. Even now, we are a well-developed company and we try to automate as much as possible, so that we don't have to verbally tell the same things many times and then everyone can focus better on what we are doing.
Maintenance and assembly operations were previously carried out at two different locations in Ilmajoki. One hall was located further away and the other next to the new hall completed in spring 2021. Liiveri granted Hautala Service Oy investment support for the construction of a maintenance hall. With the construction of a new hall, it will also be possible to carry out maintenance on the heavier machine side in the same place.
- All the maintenance men are now in the same place and even bigger machines can fit in the halls.
The maintenance hall was completed and put into use in the planned schedule. Hautala feels that it was important to get more space. When the framework is in order, maintenance can be done all year round. Last winter, machines were sought for maintenance from further afield.
Everyone's voice heard
At Hautala Service, a meeting is held every month and the whole team is involved in making decisions. The company considers it important that everyone is listened to and that things are taken forward as a team.
- We have very little employee turnover. We have a really competent team and that is of course great for myself and it is nice to be here when everyone knows their job and appreciates this job.
- It's difficult for people from Ostrobothnia, but we do try to remember to praise sometimes, says Hautala.
Sometimes we go out to eat as a group, festive moments are taken into account, and in connection with occasional long working days, pizza can be ordered for the whole group.
- Let's make sure that hunger doesn't surprise us and take care of our own.
- The purpose is to guide operations in a long-term plan. I am now 30 years old and I would like to continue for at least another 30 years, Hautala smiles.