Most of the old, successful companies of today had a humble start in the beginning. Back in 1968, Mr Veikko Nummela founded a company bearing his name at the age of 58, he started to make a fire pump in his almost fully equipped mini machine shop turned from a garage of his house. By then, he probably never expected that the name he gave to his pump, Esteri, which is how the goddess of rain is called, would become a renowned fire pump brand today both in Finland and abroad. After more than 50 years development and change, the present owner of Veikko Nummela Oy, Mr Iivari Kalliomäki, CEO and owner, has named his three different companies, all in fire and rescue industry in Finland , and a Swedish company Allgotech AB as Esteri Group.
Today, most of the fire fighting vehicles in Finland are equipped with Esteri pumps. In addition to its strong position in the domestic market, Esteri firefighting pumps have also gained popularity in foreign markets. The factory not only produces Esteri branded fire pumps, ranging from 10-1000 up to 10-10000 and advanced high-pressure pumps, it also manufacturers portable firefighting pumps, tailer- mounted pump units, pump containers and other water transfer equipment for firefighting. Last year, Esteri Group extended its offerings by cooperating with Schmitz One Seven GmbH and launched its Esteri One Seven CAFS. The year 2020 also saw the rolling out of the Esteri 6000/10000 ASL, the world’s smallest and lightest portable fire pump unit in the 10000 or 6000 litre capacity class. The unit can be easily transported by air, sea or land. Efficiency, small size and light weight are Esteri pump products’ significant advantages.
Under the flag of Esteri Group, the company also further develops and produces the world’s only fully automatic fire hose washing and maintenance machine Hose Master. Within its compact size of 3.5 mX1.4mX2.1m, fire hose washing, test pressurizing, drying, marking and coiling is performed simultaneously and automatically. The patented test-pressurizing technique acts in a limited pressure zone, which reduces water consumption and saves time. The unit’s high capacity shortens operation time significantly and drastically reduces the need for large premises and peripheral equipment.
Hose Master revolutionizes the handling of fire hoses after use. A whole series of key operational innovations reduces energy consumption and improves the working environment. And the last, but not the least, Hose Master reduces the exposure of firefighters to contaminant in fire station maintenance facilities.
To promote this high-tech hose care unit, CEO and owner Iivari Kalliomäki made a decisive move by sending a fully functional demo machine to a world exhibition tour in 2019. The demo Hose Master was shown at AFAC 19 Melbourne, Beijing Fire 2019 and Intersec Dubai 2020, drawing great interest among visitors, from decision makers to firefighters.
In the beginning of this year, Esteri Group relocated the development and manufacturing of Hose Master from Allgotech AB Stockholm, Sweden to Turku, Finland, where it has stronger resources to facilitate focused product development and fast reaction to customer’s special requirements.
Other products from Esteri Group are its hydraulically driven TR -water monitors, RPL couplings, Multifire branch pipes and Raccoon nozzles for industrial users. The company TR Vesitykit Oy was established in 1981 and Rauplan Oy in 1977. Even though these two companies will be consolidated into Veikko Nummela Oy by the end of this year, with over 125 years of combined history and experience they will continue to be one of Veikko Nummela Oy’s valuable assets. Besides developing and manufacturing its own products mentioned, Veikko Nummela Oy also acts as the agent for numerous world-famous companies, such as Holmatro, Schmitz One Seven, Tohatsu, Flir, Coldcut Cobra, POK.
We are sure Mr Veikko Nummela would be proud if he could see how the tiny company he created in his garage has grown into a major player in firefighting and rescue industry in Finland.
For more information, go to www.fwp.fi
