Finbow’s veteran rolls and veteran makers – Quality is born from a love for the trade
Finbow has shipped thousands of spreader rolls worldwide, so it’s no wonder that not every roll leaves a lasting memory for its maker. However, a while ago our service department received a roll that immediately grabbed Petri Nieminen’s attention.
”I started working at Finbow in 1992 as a young mechanic, and that roll was one of the first that I’ve ever assembled. It has been in operation at our client’s location in Eastern Europe for over 30 years without any significant issues, the bearings and greasing were still in great shape.”
A 30-year-old spreader roll is still no rarity, as Finbow products are known for their durability and reliable operation. There are many veteran Finbow spreader rolls in production around the world that have been assembled by Finbow’s veteran experts.
Work teaches its doer
Finbow started its operations in 1985. Designing and assembling spreader rolls was not taught in any school at the time – and still isn’t. This is why Finbow’s seasoned veterans have learned the art of roll manufacturing through practice.
“The work has truly taught its doer. Our crew has always been united by a will to study and continuously improve our own processes. It is a matter of professional honor to provide a good product, and this is why we always dig deep to find the cause of every malfunction. I always do my work with love and passion,” Petri says.
Foreman Aulis Silvala arrived at Finbow in 1995. Since then, the pulp and paper industry has evolved, but the fundamental work has remained the same.
”We’ve learned so much over the years. At the same time, spreader roll sizes and driving speeds have increased, and the production pace has accelerated. However, we have been able to devise technical solutions early on that also meet the requirements of today’s fast machines,” Aulis illustrates.
Digital technology has opened new possibilities especially for spreader roll diagnostics. Even the smallest anomalies in spool shapes and bearing housings can be detected precisely through 3D measuring. In addition, Finbow also tests every roll’s performance as close to running conditions as possible.
Passing on the BowHow
The secret to Finbow spreader rolls’ longevity lies in the Genuine BowHow accumulated over the decades. We have also gained broad experience working with spreader rolls by different manufacturers – Finbow has serviced rolls by virtually every roll brand in the world.
“We have an incredibly close-knit crew, with a combined work experience likely totaling hundreds of years. It’s also great that we attract new young talents who want to learn the tricks of the trade and are willing to listen to the old folks’ stories,” Aulis says.
At the end, a riddle: What do a spreader roll mechanic and an NHL player have in common?”
“Of course, the fact that both have turned their beloved hobby into a job for which they also get paid!” Petri Nieminen says with a laugh.
Want to learn how Finbow rolls could improve your production and help make it more cost-efficient? Don’t hesitate to contact us!