Once known for chroming bathroom fixtures, Galvatek now builds high-tech automated surface treatment lines for the aviation and defense industries. In a discussion with CEO Lasse Vilminko, we explore how the Finnish company navigated a pandemic-driven collapse, found unexpected growth in defense industry, and positioned itself for the next phase of automated manufacturing.

The Automation Advantage. "We used to chrome faucets. Now we deliver precision technology for aviation and defense industries," says Vilminko. "Surface treatment itself isn't rocket science—the technologies have been around for decades. What sets Galvatek apart is full automation. We've been doing that since the 1980s."

This focus on complete automation became Galvatek's differentiator as Finnish labor costs made traditional mass production uncompetitive. The company needed to find markets where premium pricing was justified by demanding technical requirements.
In the early 2000s, Galvatek began targeting the aviation sector, where automation, reliability, and complete traceability are non-negotiable.

Galvatek CEO Lasse Vilminko

"Aviation is highly regulated. Everything must be traceable and inspected multiple times. If a component fails, we need to know exactly what treatment it received, when, and by whom," explains Vilminko. "That level of requirement justifies premium pricing and demands best-in-class automation."

The strategy paid off. Today, Galvatek supplies automated surface treatment facilities to major players like Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines. Building these relationships required years of proving reliability and meeting stringent certification requirements.

Crisis and Recovery. Then came COVID-19. With the majority of revenue from aviation, Galvatek faced an existential threat when global fleets were grounded.
"We were in the middle of active projects when the bottom dropped out. Some customers hit pause, others cancelled completely. It was dramatic," Vilminko recalls.

Under new ownership by the John Cockerill Group, the company temporarily returned to automotive and decorative surface treatments. However, the organization struggled with technologies it had abandoned years earlier, leading to losses.

Recovery came faster than expected as passenger volumes rebounded strongly, even exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 2023. Postponed European investments began flowing again, creating new opportunities.

Defense Emerges as Growth Driver. The real surprise came from the defense industry. Galvatek's previous work with defense company NAMMO on surface treatment lines for 155mm artillery shells suddenly became highly relevant as European nations ramped up ammunition production.

"We didn't even budget for defense projects in 2024. Now it's our fastest-growing segment," says Vilminko. "The scale of demand, especially due to the war in Ukraine, took everyone by surprise."

Galvatek has evolved beyond being a surface treatment supplier to become a complete technology integrator, delivering end-to-end systems including robotic handling, zinc phosphating, and coating solutions.

Finland's NATO membership has accelerated international interest. "Currently, we're delivering to three NATO countries, and that visibility has generated inquiries from other alliance members. Some contacts surprised us—we had to ask how they found us," Vilminko notes.

Global Operations, Local Flexibility. Vilminko admits managing simultaneous projects across different continents can present logistical challenges, but Galvatek's subcontracting model provides strategic advantages. The company manufactures nothing itself, instead relying on a vetted global network.

"That's our competitive edge," explains Vilminko. "It lets us be agile. We can optimize for each situation—test systems in Central Europe for smaller projects or build entirely on-site for large installations."

The John Cockerill Group's international presence also helps. With subsidiaries in Poland (20-person engineering center), France, and China, Galvatek can access local expertise and suppliers more easily than standalone competitors.

Building International Teams. Rapid growth has accelerated hiring, thoush talent acquisition has been easier than expected in Finland´s current market situation. The Lahti based company now employs nine nationalities beyond Finnish staff, with English as the main working language.

“The situation isn´t as challenging as one might think. Finland´s industrial downturn over the past years has helped us. The Lahti region has significant industry presence, and many large companies have had major workforce reductions,” Vilminko explains.

The industrial contradiction has creted also a need for an international talent pool to support Galvatek expansion. “We´ve recruited across all departments – project managers, sales engineers, automation specialists, designers.”
However, Galvatek's niche requires extensive onboarding. New hires need months to master the company's specialized automation approaches and industry requirements, as the company rarely finds candidates with direct experience in their highly specialized field.

Technology Evolution. Galvatek continues advancing its automation platforms, participating in Finland's AAHI-Finland initiative to develop AI-enabled predictive maintenance. The company is also expanding after-sales services, growing from two to five staff members to support its expanding global installed base.

"The systems we install today must be intelligent. We're working toward predictive maintenance and remote diagnostics. Our customers expect it," Vilminko adds.

Energy Sector Opportunities. Looking ahead, Galvatek sees potential in emerging energy sectors, particularly green hydrogen and small modular reactors (SMRs).

"We're already supplying equipment for a strategic hydrogen project in Denmark," Vilminko notes. "And don't underestimate SMRs. Companies like Rolls-Royce are betting billions on modular nuclear. We intend to be ready when those technologies scale."

These sectors require the same rigorous surface treatment standards that Galvatek delivers for the aviation industry, potentially providing natural expansion opportunities as these industries mature.

Managing Success. Current challenges stem from success itself. "We're stretched, in a good way. The volume of work is intense," says Vilminko. "Managing growth while maintaining quality and developing new capabilities—that's our daily challenge."

International trade tensions add complexity, though Galvatek's flexible subcontracting model provides some protection from tariff changes and supply chain disruptions.

Dual Pillars Strategy. Today, Galvatek stands on two strong pillars: recovering aviation demand and surging defense requirements. Both sectors offer multi-year visibility, with defense investments expected to continue through 2030.

"We have solid foundations now," concludes Vilminko. "Aviation growth is accelerating globally, especially in Asia. Defense spending will remain elevated for years. These business pillars give us confidence for both medium and long-term planning."

From bathroom fixtures to jets represents more than business diversification demonstrates how specialized automation expertise can find new applications in unexpected places, turning crisis into opportunity.

Text: Mia Heiskanen
Photo: Galvatek