“In addition to mechanization and automation solutions, we also offer turnkey plants for the further processing of kiln-dried products,” managing director Matias Rantala says. When working with other trades, Pinomatic is open to all suppliers. The company’s most recent reference projects include parts for a LVL production facility under construction for the Metsä Group, the expansion of Element5’s production site in Canada, and the mechanization of a planing line at the Dutch company Foreco Houtproducten. During the Holzkurier’s visit to Kauhajoki, Pinomatic was busy installing the vacuum stacking system and subsequent mechanization for a Finnish company. “This installation will be one of the most challenging to date, as it will take place during ongoing operations and we only have a very short amount of time available for installation each day,” Rantala tells us. The managing director did not want to reveal, though, who ordered the line.
The project at Element5, in which the Hasslacher Group holds a stake, marked Pinomatic’s entry into the North American market. For the expanded production site southwest of Toronto, the company supplied the infeed to the sorting line and the mechanization of the glulam production line. In Äänekoski, a new LVL production facility is currently being built for the Metsä Group with a planned capacity of 160,000 m³ a year. Production is scheduled to start in the second half of 2026. Here, Pinomatic supplied the entire mechanization for panel finishing, i.e. for cutting, sanding, application of moisture protection, package formation, and packaging. This line features a high degree of automation and represents the largest single project in Pinomatic’s history to date. As for Foreco Houtproducten, Pinomatic supplied a vacuum gripping device, the infeed to the planing line, as well as machines for sorting and stacking. This project was the Finnish machine manufacturer’s first installation in the Netherlands. “Recently, we also secured a project in Chile,” says Rantala about his company’s global business activities.
Everything from a single source
Pinomatic is particularly proud of the fact that it completely does without subcontracting and carries out projects entirely in-house. From the idea to detailed planning and component production to assembly, the company handles every step itself. Established in 1988 by Matti Rantala, Pinomatic’s initial focus was on automation solutions. Later on, metal fabrication and programming were added to the portfolio. “Our roots lie in the automation of machines and plants,” Rantala emphasizes.
Since 2010, Pinomatic has also been manufacturing scanners. The scanners are built without an X-ray module and were developed for sorting Nordic pine and spruce wood. “This way, we can offer companies a cost-effective solution for visual sorting,” Rantala explains.
On the road to expansion
With the acquisition of the log house division of Finnish company Makron, Pinomatic is expanding its portfolio to include machines for the production and processing of log house planks. Two lines for the production of the raw planks have already been delivered to Finnish log house manufacturers. In the future, Pinomatic will also offer solutions for the CNC machining of the planks. At the same time, the company is investing in the expansion of its own site, i.e. with an 800-m²-big production hall. In the immediate vicinity of Pinomatic’s production facility is Säte, a metal processing company specializing in laser cutting and the bending of metal components. Pinomatic, whose founder Matti Rantala heads Säte, sources around 40% of its production from there and, thanks to the short distances, can built custom machines even at short notice. Säte’s production area, too, was expanded by over 400 m² this year.
Service a top priority
“For us, it’s important not just to sell machines, but also to offer our customers comprehensive service. Many companies build machines. We offer smooth project management and excellent customer service in addition to that. Even if we grow, we will remain as flexible as if we were generating only half of our current revenue,” Rantala tells us.
All machines are pre-assembled in Kauhajoki before delivery and extensively tested using the customer’s raw materials. Service also includes honest advice on which customer requests are not economically viable. In addition, Pinomatic designs the machines in such a way that they are easy to maintain and accessible.
