Valtra modernises and expands their brand home factory in Suolahti, central Finland. Recent investments in the AGCO subsidiary enable improved manufacturing efficiency and better working conditions for many of its 1,200 employees.
The most noticeable change at the Finnish factory is Valtra’s new 2,000 m2 paint shop. This impressive building sits immediately adjacent to the main assembly line. The new paint shop ensures high-quality of the finished paint.
In the new set up, the assembled tractor frames are taken from the assembly line to the new paint shop via Automated Guided Vehicle carts (AGV)s. The frames are then suspended and carried by overhead conveyors. This hanging method of conveyance and the additional space afforded in the new building allows for more efficient washing, drying, painting and priming processes.
The original paint shop was built in 1969 and was located in the main assembly hall. While painting technology has developed over the years, the old paint shop was not large enough to accommodate Valtra’s newest high horsepower tractors – the Q and S Series. Relocating the paint shop has enabled the Valtra team to better serve its customers by facilitating an accelerated production pace that increases capacity. This change also significantly improves employee working conditions in the assembly plant as the noise, heat and moisture from the old paint shop have been eliminated.
More capacity and efficiency for transmission plant
Valtra’s Suolahti transmission plant is also undergoing significant expansion and modernisation. The factory currently manufactures transmissions used in the N and T Series tractors and delivers powershift transmissions for the South American market and transmission components for other AGCO sites. In the future, the AGCO CVT transmissions used in the Q and S Series will also be made in Finland.
A new transmission test bench dedicated to Q and S Series transmissions will enable higher production of high horsepower tractors to meet growing customer demand.
Other recent investments that improve customer outcomes include the new Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) 5 automated manufacturing system that is linked to the material store and machining centres. This new system ensures consistent quality while also enabling larger capacities. Three additional machining centers will complete the FMS in early 2024.
Director of Manufacturing Valtra EME, Tiina Herlevi, underscores the importance of safe, reliable, and high-quality production at Suolahti, “We’re investing in technology that improves product quality and production output for customers while also improving safety and working conditions for our team. With increased automation and precision machining, our operators can work in a cleaner and quieter environment.”
Investing into R&D capabilities
Valtra engineering teams will benefit from accelerated test results when a brand-new validation centre is inaugurated in the second half of 2024. The 850 sqm building with full climate control will allow for testing entire tractors or individual modules in extremely hot or cold conditions and various levels of air humidity – regardless of the weather outside.
“The new validation centre makes engineering and research processes more efficient, which is beneficial for our customers and employees alike. Soon, we will be able to accurately test the tractor modules under load and in extreme temperatures all year round here in Suolahti. This change will accelerate the development and testing of, for example, future energy sources and technologies in extreme temperatures or cab thermal management technologies,” comments Valtra’s Director of Engineering Henry Palonen.
Valtra continues to improve efficiency and sustainability in its production. Since 2022 the factory has been run using 100% renewable energy and has been using renewable diesel in testing and tractor first fills for over five years.
Find out more about sustainable production at Valtra’s Suolahti factory visit
