Playing on strengths to reach common goals

The success of any company depends on its skilled and motivated personnel. A good employer also values its professionals. Eemeli Korhonen and Toni Rosvall both confirm that R-Sarkon puts this value into practice.

“At our company, everyone is on the same level, from office personnel to production staff. Everyone is equally appreciated, and we can all contribute our own ideas and opinions,” Rosvall says. 

R-Sarkon has invested in finding expert personnel by means such as apprenticeship contracts. Employees have also been given the opportunity to complete a master machinist’s qualification. 

“We are all playing for the same team – everyone is willing to share their expertise with others. We all have our own strengths, but we also have a common goal, which we are working towards together,” Korhonen emphasises. 

Satisfaction is made up of many things. While Rosvall is in the early stages of his machining career, Korhonen has already clocked up 18 years in R-Sarkon’s employment. 

“Our employer is very honest and fair. The owners are closely involved in day-to-day work, and they are keen to share their knowledge. This work offers a good range of challenges,” Korhonen says. 

Rosvall also points to mutual flexibility and trust. 

“The employer makes it easy to agree on changes to things like working hours if there’s an urgent need. This ensures that employees are also willing to be flexible when the employer needs it.” 

Employer encourages development 

As a setter and the leader of a team of around ten people, Korhonen has grown at R-Sarkon from a boy into an adult man and an industry professional. He began his career in 2003 with a practical training period. 

“After my practical training, I did my military service, and then I was given a permanent job here. I’d studied at vocational college, and I’d done an extra qualification to become a master machinist. At the moment, I’m studying for a mechanical engineering degree,” Korhonen says. 

Before his practical training at R-Sarkon, he had gained experience with a training period at Automaattisorvaamo Hannu Laine Oy, a Rauma- based company that R-Sarkon acquired in 2007. 

“It was a funny coincidence. The industry has changed a lot along the way. Like every other

sector, the requirements in this industry are increasing all the time. There needs to be continuous development, and I think that’s a good thing.” 

Korhonen says that continuous development is one of the best things about his profession. R-Sarkon encourages its employees to develop themselves through study. 

“The master machinist training inspired me to gain further training and education. I talked to Mikko Raittila and Petri Paavola, and we reached the joint decision that I could study engineering. And that’s the path I’m on now,” Korhonen says. 

“We also have development meetings with the aim of driving production forward. I like being 

able to have a say on how to boost the efficiency, productivity and quality of my work.” 

Swapping performing arts for machining 

Rosvall, who is training to become a machine operator, took a very different route to R-Sarkon. He began working on the Koillisväylä site at the beginning of 2019. 

“I switched to a completely new industry. My work experience includes theatre, juggling and teaching juggling. That work required a lot of travel, and, when I’d had enough of it, I started looking for work in the food industry,” Rosvall says. 

Rosvall, a native of Rauma, travelled far and wide before returning to his home town. He spent 16 years working in the performing arts, which took him to Lahti, Tampere and Helsinki. 

“My daughter was young and we were living in Vantaa when I began thinking that it would be nice to move back to my home town to be near my family. I wanted her to have a stable and safe environment to grow up in, and I began looking online at different industries that I could work in.” 

He noticed that there was plenty of demand for machinists. Rosvall applied to study at Winnova in Rauma and was accepted. 

“The basic machinist’s qualification normally takes two years, but I did it in a year. I finished the course by doing a month-long period of practical training at R-Sarkon and then doing the last bits of competence demonstration at the vocational school.” 

Lots of things are new to him, but the strong work community supports every member. 

“I can get help and guidance whenever I need it. I’ve noticed that even the most experienced people sometimes come upon new things that someone else can help them with. By sharing information, we are helping each other to develop, and the entire company’s business benefits as a result.” 

Both Rosvall and Korhonen recommend the metal industry to anyone with an interest in it. 

“Come and try something new. If you cast aside your preconceptions, you can look at things with open eyes,” the men say.