RP-Weld Expands Its Service Concept with Hyundai WIA Machines in Machining as Well

RP-Weld Oy, which initially started with subcontract welding in 2018, expanded its service offering to include machining about two years ago. They chose Machinery’s Hyundai WIA F500 Plus 4-axis machining center for these tasks. This year, their machining capacity expanded to include turning. RP-Weld has had great experiences with the Hyundai WIA machining center, which led them to choose Hyundai WIA SE2200LM CNC lathes for turning tasks earlier this year.

RP-Weld Oy was originally established to perform subcontract welding for FiberCut Oy, a Loimaa-based company specializing in fiber laser cutting and bending. “We started based on FiberCut’s needs, and initially, we mainly did welding work for them as subcontractors. However, over time, our customer base has expanded to include dozens of companies from various industries across Finland. As our customer base grew, our turnover quickly reached the current figure of about 600,000 euros. The growth rate has also been substantial for FiberCut, which now has a turnover of approximately 9 million euros,” said CEO Risto Ylikangas, who owns both FiberCut Oy and RP-Weld Oy. Ylikangas, who has a strong background in engineering, worked as a welding engineer (IWE) before starting his entrepreneurial journey in 2016.

Reliable Hyundai WIA

As RP-Weld’s customer demand grew, they decided to expand their service concept to include machining work. “First, we started researching machining centers. After examining several brands, we chose the Hyundai WIA F500 Plus machine. We wanted a robust brand with a local importer we could trust for after-sales services. Hyundai WIA’s importer, Machinery, proved to be worth our expectations right from the machine delivery. We received the machine very quickly after placing the order. Several impressive Hyundai WIA references also weighed in our decision. Additionally, Hyundai WIA machines offer a great balance between price and quality,” Ylikangas explained the background of the purchase.

“The Hyundai WIA F500 Plus has been in production for about two years, and we are extremely satisfied with it. As a 4-axis machine, it allows us to produce even more challenging parts in one go. Most importantly, the machine has operated without a single issue, which we are very pleased about,” said Ylikangas.

Seamless Synergy

RP-Weld, based in Ähtäri, Finland, typically deals with various materials like aluminum, stainless steel (RST), high-strength steel (HST), and heat-resistant steels for welding. On the machining side, they handle a wide range of materials, with their machining capacity extending to diameters up to 1.2 meters for turning and a maximum turning diameter of 550 mm.

“As a small company, we are a flexible partner with the capacity to meet even quick delivery requirements. Through synergy with FiberCut Oy, we can deliver laser-cut and bent sheet metal parts that are welded and machined into complete assemblies flexibly,” emphasized Ylikangas. “There has been a clear demand for this concept we offer. Even though we started during challenging times with the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, we’ve had plenty of work, and the pace seems to be continuing at a good rate. Our goal is to continue evolving and growing sensibly, just as we have with FiberCut Oy. So, we are still looking for new customers. If you have any subcontracting needs, feel free to get in touch, and we can evaluate whether our flexible service model could serve your needs as well,” Ylikangas encouraged.

Original news source: Eurometalli, May 30, 2023