Mittametalli Leapt into Controlled Growth – An Acquisition Started a New Chapter in Working Life
29.10.2025
A business acquisition is a way to create a new career for yourself, and at its best, it also spurs the company’s operations into a new phase. The ownership of Mittametalli was expanded with support from Ladec.
Marko Kojo had long experience in management and international sales but was seeking a new direction in his career. He wanted to build something of his own and began looking for a company to buy. The direction took shape with support from Lahti Region Development LADEC Ltd. Ladec helped find alternatives and provided support throughout the entire acquisition process.
“I received good contacts and suggestions from Ladec that I might not otherwise have found. We also explored different financing options together,” Kojo says.
A promising target was selected for the final stretch: Mittametalli, a metalworks company in Heinola. The process took about six months, and in February 2024 Kojo became the company’s CEO and a shareholder. At the same time, the previous multi-owner arrangement was streamlined and clarified. Now all owners are operationally active.
Kojo now leads Mittametalli, a company of around 50 employees experiencing strong growth. Turnover has risen above six million euros, and the company has a broad customer base ranging from machinery and marine industries to furniture, construction, and defence industries. The marine industry in particular provides strong momentum. Thousands of cabin furniture units have been delivered from Heinola to the luxury cruise ships built at Meyer Turku shipyard.
“The marine industry challenges us to improve because their requirements for product quality and surface finishing are strict. Raising our quality standards ultimately benefits all our customers.”
A Strong Foundation Supports New Development
Kojo emphasises that he joined a company with strong expertise both in the office and on the production floor. Building new things on top of this foundation is straightforward.
“Finland is full of machine shops, but our strength is that under one roof we have design, product development, and modern production. This enables us to participate in customers’ product development projects from an early stage and genuinely influence the final product quality.”
Kojo had no prior experience in the metal industry, but his understanding of business development and leadership carries over to the new sector. He has previously worked not only in Finland but also in the Nordic countries and the Baltics, particularly in the plastics industry.
Kojo says he does not need to be a technical specialist in metalworking.
“My job is to ensure we have an organisation that knows what it is doing and operates well. I learn something new about the industry every day, but at heart I am a salesperson. Even as CEO, I want to remain involved in sales and customer work, which comes naturally to me.”
Controlled Growth Benefits Everyone
Mittametalli’s turnover grew by about 20 percent in 2025, and the company has hired around ten new experts. However growth is not the only end goal – quality, delivery reliability, and employee wellbeing must keep pace.
“When someone asks why we need to grow, I have an answer. Growth creates new jobs,” Kojo states.
Successfully transitioning into Mittametalli offered Kojo a new phase in his career. A key factor in the success of the acquisition was the founder’s trust: from the start, they were willing to support the process at all stages.
Kojo encourages others to consider a business acquisition as a career path.
“When you take a leap like this and effectively sell a large part of your soul, you must be ready to commit. It means investing both financially and mentally, and your whole family must be on board.”
If and when passion and drive are found, expert help should be used. Ladec’s services are also free of charge.
“Even after the acquisition, Ladec has been an excellent partner. They have highly networked and skilled people for various development needs.”
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Text: Sami Turunen
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Image above: Mittametalli Oy CEO Marko Kojo at the Heinola workplace in October 2025.