By
Elly Yates-Roberts |
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2019 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
Cruise ships contain thousands of doors – they are the understated keys to safety, silence and style. But on the finest cruise ships, not just any door will do. That’s where Antti-Teollisuus, a small Finnish blacksmith workshop turned global manufacturing firm, is making its mark.
“Our marine door division, Antti Marine, was started in 1992 at the peak of Finland’s economic depression, but at the beginning of a long-term growth trend in the cruise ship industry,” says Markko Takkinen, who leads the firm’s commercial sales and marketing strategy. “Since then, the company has powered its way through a quarter of a million steel doors for 300 large ocean liners – figures that translate into 40% of the total market share.”
For Antti Marine, keeping things local is key to its lean supply chain. “Outsourcing production is too slow for the fast pace and tailored nature of our projects,” Takkinen says.
Each project requires thousands of doors in dozens of shapes and sizes. As such, the firm has optimised processes so it can churn out as many as 5,000 steel doors in 10 weeks, even while providing customisation. The doors are then packed, shipped and ready for installation within days.
“Safety and reliability come before all else with each Antti Marine door,” says Takkinen. “All doors and seals are certified fireproof, and the durability and easy maintenance of our doors is down to our advanced sheet metal technology, high-quality raw materials and adjustable, lubrication-free hinges.”
When the safety of its products has been confirmed, Antti Marine strives to meet the demands of a market where luxury is key. “At Antti Marine we have sought to make noise reduction and attractive design our competitive edge,” says Takkinen.
The company produces an extensive selection of doors for customers who expect the best from their cabins, pantries and maintenance closets.
“We work closely with our clients and use advanced manufacturing techniques to create striking visual solutions backed up with services that span conception to delivery,” Takkinen says. “All doors are designed to meet the needs of the customer and the design of the ship while blocking noise and living up to their luxurious surroundings.”
Innovation is another key trait of the Finnish manufacturer. Most recently, it developed the e-hinge, a fresh take on electronic entry hinges.
“Typical electronic hinges allow ship doors to be locked online, which increases locking safety but introduces an unsightly panel between door and frame,” Takkinen explains. “Our e-hinge is designed around this limitation; it is an important innovation but an attractive first impression matters. It should be available by the end of 2019.”
“We credit our success to high quality products and materials, constant improvement and the determination that comes from making it through hard times,” adds Takkinen. “We plan on pushing forward with a lean supply chain and ongoing innovation – and our Finnish penchant for punctuality hopefully won’t hurt either.”
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