Domestic ski factories are running at full capacity. Everything that can be manufactured is sold, the factory managers say.
Perhaps the most eagerly awaiting a white Christmas are ski manufacturers.
In a good snowy winter, shops are sold empty and ski factories can continue production throughout the spring and summer by making products for the next ski season.
Peltonen’s production at the Heinola factory is now running at full capacity and skis are being produced \”as much as possible\”.
The market situation is also described in the same way at the KSF Sport factory in Kitee, which manufactures equipment for several ski brands.
Early snow cover does not only explain the current record demand for skis.
– There was pent-up demand from last spring, when the ski manufacturers couldn’t complete all the trade orders. In addition, the corona period made people excited about outdoor activities, says Kirvesniemi.
According to him, the closest comparable season can be found in the winter of 2009 – 2010.
Kitee now produces 500 to 1000 pairs of skis per week. Peltonen Ski does not reveal its exact production quantities, but the annual production range is between 50,000 and 80,000.
Imports from Russia have been stopped
In the past, many domestic and foreign manufacturers imported skis or their blanks from Russia.
The cheapest pairs of skis, such as children’s skis and poles, came ready-made. In addition, blanks were brought in, on which the plastic coating was finished in factories in Finland.
– We canceled our own orders from Russia in February and part of that production has been moved here to Heinola, says Pasila.
Kitee has also stopped importing from Russia. According to Kirvesniemi, they still have a small amount of previously purchased blanks in stock.
The end of Russian imports has meant an increase in costs, especially in the category of the cheapest skis.
There is a shortage of raw materials
The rise in the price of energy and raw materials torments everyone, including ski manufacturers. But in the middle of the peak season, even the rapid increase in production costs does not drag down the mouthpiece.
– Cost increases have been minimized by making work and production more efficient. Fortunately, labor costs have not increased that much, Peltonen Skiin Pasila states.
In the current year, a bigger problem has been the low availability of some raw materials.
For example, all ski factories in the world are now competing for the plastics used in ski soles.
– There are not very many manufacturers. If they cough up production, then we are in trouble. We have always barely survived, but the situation could be better, describes Pasila.
Kriste’s good foresight has made the situation easier.
– We haven’t had any problems, we ordered large quantities in the warehouse well in advance, Kirvesniemi acknowledges.
The ease drove the skiers wild
According to ski manufacturers, one of the most significant reasons for the rekindled enthusiasm for skiing can be found in product development.
The soles of the new maintenance-free skis do not need an iron, nor does the skier need an in-depth knowledge of numerous cream jars.
– Ease of use is a current trend. Boots on, skis on and on to the slopes. Most of the production is these bitters, says Pasila.
Naturally, both factory managers praise their own bitters as the best in the world.
– In addition, especially skating skis, but also traditional skis are still being asked, Kirvesniemi reminds.
Even though you can go to the track without much advance preparation, consumers are always looking for new things.
– We are constantly developing and always at some point there will be those aha moments, so not everything has been seen in the development of skis, Pasila laughs.