The handprint of Darekon, Vallox´s component supplier, is displayed for example in MyVallox control panel. The co-operation that started with baby steps has grown during the years. It emphasizes quality, reliability of delivery and will to develop together.
Vallox purchases materials and components for production needs from approximately 110-120 suppliers of various sizes. Relevant in the procurement is to find partners who share the same values with Vallox: reliability of delivery, tested quality and excellence in service.
Finnish family-owned company Darekon Oy Ltd is of the most important component suppliers for Vallox. The company, which focuses on industrial electronics and mechanics, employs about 300 people. It manufactures for example motherboards for ventilation units, CO2-sensors and Control panels for Vallox.
Darekon´s Sales Director Petri Kettunen describes the collaboration that began in 2014 fruitful and functional.
-Our cooperation started very small and it has grown more and more significant over the years. There are many similarities in our practices, such as uncompromising quality and testing, and a common desire to evolve.
Testing ensures the quality
Every Vallox ventilation unit is tested on the assembly line before it is delivered to the customer. Testing is part of quality assurance. The same uncompromising testing is done by Darekon.
-We have designed and executed our own testing system in collaboration with Vallox. By testing the components, we ensure their quality and functionality, Kettunen describes.
Darekon’s strengths: agile approach and special expertise
According to Sari Ponkala, Vallox´s Purchasing and Quality Manager, close cooperation with specialists in their field enables the combination of the best know-how and strengthens Vallox’s operations. In addition to being reflected in product quality, it also provides tools for developing new products. Ponkala praises Darekon’s operations for being flexible and development-minded.
-In addition to their special expertise, Darekon´s strenght is their agile way of working. It can be seen e.g. as flexible deliveries and rapid response to problem situations.
The continuity of cooperation and the need to develop something new is also praised by Kettunen.
-We at Darekon are very pleased with what we have done together and hopefully it has been passed on to Vallox as well. We both have firmly adhered to keeping what is promised!
Strong Vallox-making for 50 years
Vallox’s 50th anniversary year coincides with a global corona pandemic, which has posed challenges for both Vallox procurement and component supplier. Challenges have been overcome through close communication. According to Kettunen, Vallox’s 50-year anniversary is part of a strong continuum:
-Even based on the stories of the anniversary year, Vallox’s 50-year journey has had some challenges, but it has survived them and will certainly continue to do so. For the anniversary year – which coincided with the corona pandemic – less turbulence would certainly have been desired. But perhaps this year also reflects Vallox well: by focusing on essential, safe daily activities, the next 50 years may be even more successful. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Continue reading about Vallox and Darekon´s cooperation In Darekon Oy Ltd´s customer magazine.