Metsä Board, a leading Finnish producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards, is driving operational excellence at its mills through a long-term maintenance partnership with Valmet. This collaboration spans Metsä Board’s mills in Simpele, Äänekoski, and Kyro, targeting improvements in machine uptime, maintenance strategy, and overall production reliability.
In an industry where efficiency and uptime define competitiveness, effective maintenance becomes more than a necessity—it becomes a strategic function. Metsä Board’s partnership with Valmet exemplifies this shift toward proactive and predictive maintenance.
Driving Predictive Maintenance at Scale
At the core of the agreement is a shared objective to transform maintenance from a reactive approach to a proactive and predictive model. This change aims to enhance equipment availability and minimise unplanned downtimes at the mills.
The maintenance agreement includes full technology support across all production line segments, skilled maintenance resourcing, and improved financial and operational predictability. These elements ensure consistent mill performance and streamlined maintenance planning.
Proven Results at Simpele Mill
The Simpele mill introduced the maintenance agreement in 2020, and the results have been significant. Production efficiency has steadily improved due to enhanced maintenance execution and preventive actions.
“Overall, well-planned and professionally executed maintenance is crucial for our mill’s performance. Preventive maintenance activities and efficient resourcing play a key role in reducing downtime and improving machine availability. We have been especially satisfied with the results achieved in improving winder performance, reducing its downtime from nearly 80 hours annually to just a few hours,”
— Vesa Hurskainen, Maintenance Manager, Metsä Board Simpele.
A Systematic Approach at Kyro and Äänekoski
At Kyro mill, the first maintenance agreement with Valmet was signed in 2017. Since then, it has been renewed twice, reflecting long-term confidence in Valmet’s capabilities. The Äänekoski mill joined the partnership more recently, beginning cooperation just a year ago. This agreement covers the entire production line—from the headbox to the winder.
“The aim of the agreement is to improve the reliability of our equipment and reduce production downtime. We expect the agreement to enhance our maintenance operations, and I think we’ve already developed a more systematic way to operate and can plan our maintenance activities better than before. I believe that in the future, the agreement will further strengthen our capabilities in preventive maintenance, reducing the machine-related unexpected shutdowns,”
— Pasi Nevalainen, Maintenance Manager, Metsä Board Äänekoski.
OEM Advantage with Skilled Resource Availability
Valmet, being the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the core machinery at Metsä Board’s Finnish mills, brings in-depth technology knowledge to the partnership. This expertise adds value during critical events such as annual shutdowns and restarts.
“One of the key benefits of the maintenance agreement is the availability of resources and maintenance expertise. Particularly, the support of Valmet’s experts at critical times such as during annual shutdowns and start-ups is important for the operations of our mill,”
— Pasi Nevalainen, Metsä Board Äänekoski.
Predictability and Planning with Valmet’s Support
At the Kyro mill, the collaboration has enhanced both planning and cost predictability. Valmet’s structured maintenance framework helps ensure resource availability and planning efficiency.
“The agreement brings us peace of mind, as we know what can be expected from Valmet and how it will be executed. The necessary resources for our next shutdown are booked early on, and we don’t have to worry about whether the experts are available or not. The systematic way of operating has improved maintenance planning and predictability of costs. Additionally, comprehensive reporting has enhanced the way we follow up our maintenance operations,”
— Toni Yli-Piipari, Maintenance Manager, Metsä Board Kyro.
A Foundation for Continuous Improvement
Across the Simpele, Kyro, and Äänekoski mills, the maintenance partnership is yielding tangible results. Equipment reliability, efficiency, and reporting structures have all improved. The agreement also provides a platform for continuous improvement, aligning maintenance practices with evolving technologies and operational needs.
Valmet’s collaborative model includes structured reporting, predictive planning, and real-time issue resolution, enabling Metsä Board to stay competitive in the global board production market.
“Over the years, we’ve learned to know each other and trust each other – a prerequisite for a good partnership. The communication has been smooth, and support has been available at all times. The maintenance agreement is not only a technical solution, but more like a long-term investment in production efficiency and reliability,”
— Vesa Hurskainen, Metsä Board Simpele.As industry expectations evolve and production demands grow, long-term maintenance partnerships such as this serve as a model for operational excellence in the European pulp and paper sector. Metsä Board and Valmet continue to invest in future-proof strategies where maintenance is not just a function, but a strategic asset for sustainable growth.
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