30 years of manufacturing – The people behind Ramtec’s high quality products
Exactly 30 years ago, a significant step forward was taken in the manufacture of attachments for excavators and wheel loaders in Lahti, when Bretec Oy established a highly advanced production facility in the city. Recruiting and educating skilled staff was already a priority back then in the modern factory. In 2002, the company was sold to the existing management team, and Veikko Janhunen took over as the CEO of the new Ramtec Oy.
In these tough economic times, it is indeed a pleasure to see that a people-oriented approach can be considered even in operations based on efficiency and quality. This is reflected in Ramtec’s very long-term employment relationships, where staff can move from one role to another while advancing in their careers.
In May, Konepörssi magazine had an opportunity to learn about the personal stories behind a Finnish industrial success story. CEO Veikko Janhunen and next-generation entrepreneur Miika Janhunen invited six long-time employees to look back on the company’s history. In addition to their long careers at Ramtec, these men are united by a strong commitment to the company’s values and a well-deserved professional pride in their work and the quality of the final products. The decades of experience have been put to good use at Ramtec. Their solid expertise is being seamlessly passed on to the next generation of staff.
Groundbreaking start
The history of the factory currently located on Veivikatu in Lahti dates to 1996, when Bretec Oy began manufacturing housings for crushers and hydraulic breakers. At the time, Bretec was part of the Detec Group, a company with a strong heritage in attachment manufacturing and global recognition through Sandvik’s Rammer hydraulic hammers. Veikko Janhunen and Olli Vartiainen played a key role in establishing the new factory, as they had a clear vision of the characteristics of this new type of facility. The goal was to create a production plant that was as modern and efficient as possible, capable of producing high-quality attachments competitively and efficiently.
From the outset, Ramtec embraced innovative recruitment practices and invested in a flexible manufacturing system to enhance skills, efficiency, and adaptability. These forward-looking decisions laid the foundation for the company’s strong expertise, efficient production, and ability to respond quickly to changing market needs.
Strategic Steps Forward
The new factory quickly got up and running, and the company expanded its product range from crushers to demolition grapples. This was also reflected in physical growth, as the first expansions were carried out within just a few years. The 2002 acquisition and establishment of Ramtec Oy were completed smoothly, with employees transitioning seamlessly to the new organization. Further investments in 2007 modernized the factory and significantly enhanced its production capabilities.
From the very beginning, the focus has been on the cost and quality of subcontracting operations. The acquisition of the Estonian company Harry Metall OÜ significantly improved the efficiency of the pre-processing stages of production. A modern factory, capable of meeting high-quality standards with efficient and reliable schedules, was built in Estonia. This ensured growth into a major player in the demolition, earthmoving, and mining sectors, where the Robi, Hytera, and KENGURU brands are internationally recognized and respected.
True to the company’s style, its sights are already set on the coming decades. Based on continuous development, new investments are still being made. Eyes are open for opportunities to expand its product families as well as for acquisitions. Ramtec always operates in a customer-oriented manner, and feedback is taken seriously. Many products have, in fact, been developed based on customer feedback.
“Variety is the spice of life”
The company continues to strongly recognize the importance of its own staff. There is a strong focus on training, and fostering the unique Ramtec spirit is a priority. After 30 years, about a quarter of Ramtec’s staff are still original Bretec employees. This valuable experience is also effectively passed on to future generations. The company also maintains strong partnerships with educational institutions in the field by offering internship opportunities.
In interviews with Vesa Rantanen, Matti Tattari, Juha Ahokas, Timo Tuomi, Jarkko Laiho, and Sami Natri, it quickly becomes clear that Ramtec’s work philosophy is based on continuous learning, a high level of responsibility, and diverse job duties. A good example is the impressive career of Vesa Rantanen, who retired in March.
“In 1996, I heard about Bretec’s interesting job openings for welding and robotic welding positions. Back then, the company had a very rigorous hiring process that included a detailed aptitude test. Instead of a direct job offer, the candidates underwent a ten-month intensive training program, which was a sensible decision considering the entire career path, and it speaks volumes about Ramtec’s operating methods. The training opportunities were not distributed equally, as the machinists travelled to Italy for a month to familiarize themselves with the Mandelli M10 machine tool. We welders headed to Ostrobothnia instead, in the middle of the harsh winter cold,” Rantanen chuckles.
Different pictures alongside the company’s history. New products have always been boldly introduced to the market, and significant efforts have been made to boost exports.
“Over the course of my long career, I’ve always received the necessary training for new assignments. The last 11 years I spent as a production manager, and without the amazing Ramtec spirit and the right mix of varied tasks, such a long career at the same company wouldn’t have been possible,” says Rantanen.
The others strongly agree. Within the company, they have moved across roles, from welding to installation and painting, and from product development to supervision. One is now working in IT and after-sales services. Thanks to the quality of internal training and the excellent opportunities for career advancement, such transitions have been possible. And whenever necessary, it has also been possible to return to previous roles. Due to these rotations, the company’s staff have a thorough understanding of the entire production process, and designers are well versed in the requirements of production processes.
Let’s do it, not just talk about it
Of course, the men have also faced more challenging times over the years, but the CEO’s leadership has earned their respect. “Veikko leads from the front. We remember well a threatening fire that broke out at the factory. Veikko didn’t hesitate to act and grabbed a fire extinguisher to tackle the flames. The same attitude is evident throughout the company’s operations at Ramtec. Even during the toughest times, efforts have been made to provide work for everyone without resorting to drastic measures. The company’s flexibility has translated into a similar attitude among the employees, and there is a strong spirit of teamwork. Hard times come and go, but Veikko certainly knows how to take care of his team,” summarizes the group of employees.
Original release: 28.05.2026 Konepörssi / Tapani Palo