A factory building illuminated by green and blue lights, with people standing around tall tables in the foreground.

We held a topping-out ceremony in Lieto 

The construction work of the new and completely carbon-neutral hot-dip galvanizing plant to be built in Lieto has progressed as planned, and the plant is scheduled to start operating in July 2024. The plant has risen to crest height on time, which was celebrated at the topping-out ceremony organized on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Participating in the celebration were the staff of SRV, which implements the facility, and other partners of the project, as well as Aurajoki’s customers.

After Aurajoki Oy’s Business Director Marko Rantala opened the event, CEO Ralf Sohlström welcomed the crowd and told the guests about the starting point of the project. At the end of his speech, he thanked the partners involved in the project and raised a toast to the achievement so far. Development Manager Mikko Mäkinen presented the operation of the plant and also told about its benefits compared to other hot-dip galvanizing plants. SRV’s Area Director Jukka Aaltonen stated that the project progressed well on schedule. In addition, he pointed out how important a good and open dialogue is in a project of this scale, so that the end result is the best possible both in terms of the facility’s functionality and energy efficiency. The main owner of Aurajoki Oy, Peter Seligson, ended the official part of the event with his speech, in which he said that Aurajoki had traveled with him throughout his life. He added that thinking outside the box can lead to great things, such as the new Lieto factory, in the success of which he and the Aurajoki board firmly believe.

At the event, food was served respecting the traditions of the topping-out ceremonies. The musical fireworks were provided by the brilliant Elektra Duo, whose performances offered guests versions of familiar hits accompanied by violin and saxophone.

“Our Lieto factory under construction has understandably aroused a lot of interest among our customers,” says Aurajoki Oy CEO Ralf Sohlström. “After all, the factory represents a completely new type of production technology, the types of which are not yet in use in the hot-dip galvanizing industry anywhere else in Northern Europe. We wanted to use the topping-out ceremony to present the progress of the factory project to our customers and stakeholders as well.”

See photos from the event below:
Business Director Marko Rantala opened the event.
CEO Ralf Sohlström welcomed the guests.
Development Manager Mikko Mäkinen presented the operation of the Lieto factory.
SRV Area Director Jukka Aaltonen told about the progress of the project.
Principal owner Peter Seligson told how Aurajoki has always been a part of his life.
Elektra Duo was responsible for the musical fireworks.

Hot-Dip Galvanizing, Electrolytic Coatings, Steel Structures