Hamari was founded in December 2014, and continues business operations acquired from Martela Plc. Varax Solutions was already a long-established partner in a mutually rewarding business relationship.
“Varax Solutions manufactures and assembles metal components for Hamari. Our relationship dates back to the Martela era when Varax made metal components for us, such as legs for tables and chairs,” explains Hamari CEO Jari Jääskelä.
The auditorium renovation at Helsinki Hall of Culture was a larger project calling for even closer collaboration between these companies. The facility hosts a very wide variety of events, with evening programmes ranging from boxing to concerts, so it was necessary to ensure that the stalls and auditorium could be modified accordingly.
Collaboration like this benefits both companies. We know each other’s expertise and abilities, and we can consult one another even before the project starts. In the Helsinki House of Culture project, for example, we were jointly able to create and manufacture models of the frame solution for the customer’s prior examination, discussion and approval.
Jääskelä continues: “The stalls at Helsinki House of Culture were interconnected curved beams constructed in the 1950s. Hamari designed a solution simplifying this old installation considerably, with Varax supplying a tubular metal frame for the beams based on excellent technical drawings.”
“The Hamari business model is based on project sales, and Varax is one of our subcontractors. Hamari generally creates the designs for Varax to manufacture, but in larger undertakings such as Helsinki House of Culture we work together to find the best solution for the project as a whole.”
“Collaboration like this benefits both companies. We know each other’s expertise and abilities, and we can consult one another even before the project starts. In the Helsinki House of Culture project, for example, we were jointly able to create and manufacture models of the frame solution for the customer’s prior examination, discussion and approval.”
Even though Jääskelä was already familiar with Varax, the metal components subcontractor for the Helsinki House of Culture auditorium was selected through a normal competitive tendering process.
“We eventually shortlisted three candidates satisfying the quality criteria, and Varax was the most competitively priced. Ultimately it all came down to service attitude. Varax was also prepared to do the assembly work for the auditorium bench solutions, meaning that we only needed to provide them with the upholstery and other materials. We were impressed with their service-oriented approach.”
