Keeping it in the family

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The valves’ unique selling point is the connection and insulation systems developed to make the lines tight and keep them free of corrosion. Weight is also a factor that the company tries to keep to a minimum. The keys to making this happen involve making the valves out of the same materials as the pipes and allowing for the use of welded connections, instead of flanges. This, says Vexve, is more cost efficient and results in a lighter product, simply because less material is used.

The absence of flanges in the resulting network also makes it easier to thoroughly insulate the valves and connections with foam. This means they can be buried direct into the ground, without the need to build concrete chambers.

Rouru feels these features in proven products, compatible with the local district cooling market, will make Vexve an attractive prospect for Middle East operators. A further carrot he offers customers is the approach to service.

Almost all companies say something of the sort about service, but in Vexve’s case there is a tangible difference to its approach: it holds products in stock. The fact that Vexve delivers all its products from factory stock will offer comfort for those who remember what lead times were like in 2007-08.

“It’s unusual to see a company with a stock of big-ticket items sitting in factory,” says Rouru. “We are not trying to optimise our inventory, but instead secure the service level with stock. What we hear back from our partners is that this is a key aspect for them.”

The company adopted a more formal planning approach a couple of years ago, when Rouru joined and the then-MD moved into a position as chairman of the board. Since then there has been a measured adoption of some large company practices.

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“Growth is the first enemy of strategy; the biggest risk is that you lose sight of your key competitive advantages,” remarks Rouru.

“We want to maintain the flexibility and intelligence of the small company, but put things in place to lead the company effectively. We’re being careful not to put too heavy a structure in place, because there are advantages to being a small company, such as being dynamic, intelligent and flexible.

“We have recognised the merits we have and the merits of our products, and now we are exposing ourselves to new opportunities, but we are a small company, so we have to remain focused.”

Vexve plans to use the next year or two to establish itself in the Middle East region. With a business connected to the energy-saving benefits of district cooling, steady growth is expected both through steadily gaining market share and the organic growth of the market itself.

Finland’s finest

Leaving out the obvious phone manufacturer, UME checked out a few other Finnish contributions to Dubai’s development.

Wartsila
Wartsila is essentially a power company, well known for ship engines and generators. It has mixed interests in the region, including a JV aiming for business in the distributed power generation market.

Kone
Kone is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of lifts and escalators, not a bad thing to be in Dubai, where tall high-capacity buildings place huge demand on people-moving systems.

Marinetek
Marinetek is a developer of marinas and has been at work on Dubai Maritime City as well as having previously supplied piers for the Palm Jumeirah marina.

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