The seed of cooperation planted in the aluminum industry over time brings together a group of five investors who continue the long traditions of aluminum expertise at Yliskulma in Lieto. Jukova Corporation, which went into bankruptcy, got new owners at the turn of November-December, who are turning the long history around and looking to the future.

Jukova’s long traditions date back to the 1950s, when Markku Junnila founded the company. Over the years, the know-how developed and expanded. The company became a significant factor in the maritime, railway and construction industries as well. In addition, its easy-to-use solutions are used by leisure boats and street furniture manufacturers. One of the company’s key factors is its own aluminum foundry.
Jukova has delivered aluminum products to land, sea and beyond the seas, which means that its operations have been strongly international. However, the challenges that started in the last decade were too difficult for it to deal with, and the company went into bankruptcy for the second time this year. However, operations and customer deliveries did not stop at any point, as new owners were found while the bankruptcy estate was still operating.
The Jukova name will go down in history and the aluminum know-how from Yliskulma will be known as the name in the future
TriDeck Oy, which refers to both the company’s branches and materials. The background of the new company is five meritorious professionals in the field, each of whom has their own connection to the previous company, either in the role of an employee or a partner. The new company has more than 70 years of know-how in the field right from its birth through its owners. In addition to expertise, the new owners will also bring synergy benefits through their current companies.

New skippers in familiar waters

Among the new owners, serial entrepreneur Kari Rouvali, who has a 19-year employment relationship with Jukova from her previous career, will take over the duties of CEO. Rouvali was responsible for foundry operations and the product category of the boat industry, both in terms of production and sales. Since then, Rouvali, who has embarked on the path of entrepreneurship, is now returning to a familiar industry with an even stronger know-how. His other companies include the sheet metal specialist Trimet and cabin and boat heaters
manufactured by Safire.
Among the other owners, Markus Flinckman, who is currently the owner and CEO of HL-Metal, previously worked in Jukova for 10 years as the head of the boat and shipyard side. Petri Lahti again has three years of experience as the production manager of Jukova’s train side, the most important of which was the successful Sprinter light train project to Holland.
Among the new owners, Jarkko Leppähaara is the only one who will transfer directly from Jukova Corporation to the new company. He has no less than 33 years of experience from Yliskulma. Leppähaara’s diverse job description has included e.g. factory maintenance and product development.

Mika Laiho is the only one of the new owners who has not worked on Jukova’s payroll, but
he too has 15 years of experience in cooperation with the company, as he has done design work for Yliskulma through Alvars Oy as a subcontractor.

Grinding time towards the future

One of TriDeck’s biggest strengths is its extensive expertise in the field. The expertise of the 14 long-term employees who continue on the payroll is an extremely valuable legacy that the new company receives from its predecessor. Over the years, the craftsmanship honed to a diamond is an absolutely important backbone for TriDeck’s future construction project, which the new owners will embark on with confidence.
The excellence of the company’s production is told by, for example, comprehensive certificates for rail transport, which are not found in many operators even on a European scale.
Factory manager Jarkko Leppähaara and CEO Kari Rouvali will be responsible for the operational activities of TriDeck’s production.
– In addition to the employees and good production, it was a good thing that we reached an agreement with the real estate company so that we can continue production without interruption without delaying customer deliveries, comments Rouvali.
Despite the difficulties of the recent history, the new owners saw the possibilities of a positive future as brighter than threatening ones, because the company still has excellence in its core areas of operation, such as foundry and project production, as well as basic production customers, not forgetting important long-term and large customers from the company’s various industries, such as, for example, Škoda Transtech Oy of the train side.
– In addition to the competent continuing staff, of course the lessons and experiences of our joint owners after their Jukova career also play an important role. For example, Laiho’s design experience, Flinckman’s experience in the shipping industry, and Leppähaara’s product development know-how will be the company’s success factors in the future.
We are going to carry forward a great history with a present-day approach, says Rouvali about the company’s future prospects.
At Yliskulma, both the new owners and the continuing employees believe that there will continue to be industry pioneers and top experts there. We are starting to walk the new path of history with moderate and decisive steps, while at the same time bringing appropriate reforms into operation.
The new owners have solid experience, both good and bad, and a deep understanding of both the industry and the company’s customers.
– We welcome all our customers and other important stakeholders to join us on this interesting journey towards joint success, wishes Rouvali.

Additional information:
TriDeck Oy, Kari Rouvali, CEO, 040-7390 574, kari.rouvali@trideck.fi