”We take making spreader rolls seriously” – Urpo Versta is a Finbow legend with 40 years of experience

The Finbow story can’t be told without writing about Urpo “Upi” Versta – a formidable figure in Finnish paper making history. He has witnessed the company’s journey from its early days, through many twists and turns, to our current success.

“Tuure Uusitalo founded Finbow in 1985 to meet the maintenance needs of Finnish paper and pulp manufacturers. Tuure started out by servicing and importing Italian spreader rolls until he began manufacturing them himself. Our first own rolls were very much in the Italian style,” Versta recalls.

Urpo and Finbow’s shared journey began around the turn of the 1990s when the versatile industry expert came to consult Tuure on work methods and production organization. Their connection was formed through a shared bowling club.

Finbow took a giant leap forward in 1995 when it secured a contract to supply 32 large rolls for the new paper machine at Kirkniemi. The major deal required scaling up production and investing in resources, including establishing our own machining facility.

“The Kirkniemi rolls were a proving ground for us, where we succeeded brilliantly. During that time, we established practices and design solutions that have made Finbow rolls known for their quality and long service life. One particular roll in Kirkniemi was in continuous use without maintenance for 13 years.”

Discovering best solutions through experimentation

During the Kirkniemi project, Valmet became a majority owner of Finbow, and Urpo became a permanent part of the team as a production manager. At the same time, Urpo’s exceptional social skills proved invaluable as he took on the responsibility of managing the company’s customer relationships worldwide.

“We were actively involved in developing the paper industry. Paper industry professionals met at events where maintenance-related issues and challenges were solved together. These gatherings brought together a wide range of representatives from paper and board manufacturers, as the issues were seen as shared concerns.”

As operations grew, roll manufacturing methods evolved with each new project. Under Urpo’s leadership, Finbow’s roll experts discovered the best solutions for bearings and lubrication through persistent experimentation. Meanwhile, Urpo Versta advanced to the position of the company’s CEO.

“Valmet brought strong product development expertise to the company. Working with them made roll improvements more systematic, introducing new features such as ceramic bearings and our moisture removal system.”

Eventually becoming a co-owner of Finbow, Versta’s own patented innovations include
the still-used locking pedestal, which helps control critical frequencies by adjusting the bearing spacing.

The best part is the people

Originally trained as an aircraft electrical technician, Urpo Versta’s journey in the world of spreader rolls has lasted nearly 40 years. His most recent title was Senior Advisor when Logistic TKT Systems acquired Finbow’s business in 2016. Versta stepped away from Finbow’s daily operations in 2020.

“The best part of this job has been the people – both our customers and our top-tier in-house team. From the very beginning, we have worked closely with customers and end-users of our rolls. At the same time, I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world and solve problems in the largest pulp and paper mills. Though, to be honest, those trips were so busy that I didn’t have time for sightseeing,” Versta says with a laugh.

Employee turnover in Finbow’s production has been extremely low, and the company still has a group of seasoned professionals who have been here since the early days.

“Finbow takes roll manufacturing seriously. There is no other company on the market that is as specialized or has the same level of decades-long expertise.”

Steel rolls stand the test of time

Having seen it all, Versta believes that Finbow will continue to stay at the forefront of spreader roll technology. Finbow rolls’ superior steel construction and innovative technologies – such as automatic lubrication for end seals and remote monitoring capabilities – demonstrate a commitment to continuous development.

“Over the years, many competitors have predicted the end of steel rolls. Yet, steel rolls have held their ground against fragile composite rolls and hard-to-maintain rubber rolls. The spreader roll is a product that will always be needed as long as paper and board are being produced. And there is no better solution for the job,” Versta concludes.

Want to learn how Finbow rolls could improve your production and help make it more cost-efficient? Don’t hesitate to contact us!