Quality is born from doing things responsibly

Stepping into Sako’s world, you encounter something exceptional: more than a century of history, passionate professionals and products whose quality is trusted around the world. Teemu, who joined the company a year and a half ago, is responsible for developing quality and processes at Sako. Central to his work is developing ways of working that help Sako’s different units succeed together and build quality into everyday work.

Quality is a promise we never compromise on

At Sako, quality is not just a word in fine phrases – it is the core of everything we do, governed by both strict standards and legislation. According to Teemu, the special characteristics of the industry, such as the traceability of firearms and regulatory requirements, call for exceptionally strong quality management.

At Sako we make good products without compromise, products whose quality can be demonstrated in every situation. We have a good reputation, and that also sets the bar for how we work. Problems must be solved in a lasting way, not ‘fixed with tape’. That creates pride, but also a great responsibility,” Teemu reflects.

Teemu

As part of his role, he keeps the customer’s perspective present in developing operations and quality. When customers around the world are excited about a product, quality does not need to be sold separately – the products speak for themselves. Sako was already familiar to Teemu as a brand and a company. The high regard the company enjoys has even been a pleasant surprise. It is no coincidence, though: quality speaks for itself as the customer relationship deepens. Success did not happen overnight, nor is it a passing phenomenon – a long history and an established market position bring stability to the work.

Collaboration breaks down silos and builds understanding

Sako has grown rapidly in recent years, which has also required renewing the way we work. Teemu has played a key role in developing processes that reach all the way from an idea to the moment the finished package leaves the factory. The most important thing here has been tightening cooperation between the different departments.

Quality is created in every unit, one work stage at a time. When processes are developed from start to finish, it touches many units and departments. At the interfaces, the flow of information and understanding of the next stage’s needs are often the biggest challenges. Dialogue between the different units is needed so that understanding can grow. Even if we disagree at first, discussion alone improves the work enormously,” Teemu says of the strength of the work community.

Teemu

A strong foundation creates the conditions for development

One of Sako’s strengths is its financial stability and long history. This is directly reflected in everyday work and management, as decisions do not have to be made short-sightedly with only the next quarter in mind. Operations are developed continuously and together. We need discussion about practices that work, but also the raising of shortcomings in order to develop our operations. Solutions and ideas do not have to be fully thought through – it is more important to bring thoughts forward.

Sako’s financial strength gives a certain ‘muscle’ for development. We have the opportunity to make long-term decisions and build our operations so that they also support future growth.

Teemu

This stability also shows in investments in the factory and in people, which creates security and a positive spirit throughout the organisation.

Developing competence is a continuous journey

Teemu strongly believes that in an expert organisation, employees must have certain opportunities to influence how their own calendar is built. Autonomy and the chance to influence your own work are important factors in job satisfaction. He encourages his team to be active and to keep learning. There is a desire to grow competence, and Teemu himself has been able to dive deep into the world of firearms technology with the guidance of experienced colleagues. Team members are encouraged to sign up for courses and to develop themselves.

Sako now also has an idea system in place, where even small development ideas can be implemented quickly by a decision of the immediate supervisor. The idea channel has been received very actively.

Here we have world-class talents in their own field. If you are proactive and active, Sako offers great opportunities to develop. It is important that a supervisor is not ‘jealous’ of their team, but supports people’s desire to grow and try new things,” Teemu sums up.

Teemu

Teemu highlights three points for anyone considering Sako as an employer:

you do work that also matters for national defence and security

you work with the industry’s top experts in a relaxed but knowledgeable atmosphere

a financially solid company offers a stable platform to grow and develop as an expert.

At Sako, expertise and pride in your own work go hand in hand.