Finnish hand pumps become more sustainable

From the scorching deserts of Africa to the sub-zero temperatures of the Arctic, access to water remains key in all environments. Finnish company Nira Pumps addresses this vital need. They build hand pumps capable of extracting groundwater in Earth’s most difficult conditions. Renowned for their reliability and durability, these pumps are now exported worldwide from the company’s factory in southern Finland.

“We have been doing this for over a hundred years,” said Kimmo Heikkilä, the CEO of Nira Pumps. “Even in the most extreme conditions, our pumps can be used. These days customers all around the world use Nira’s hand pumps in villages, homes, gardens and various industrial applications.”

EENergy 

However, one problem the company faces is energy consumption. Sustainability and energy-efficiency are key strategic values for Nira Pumps. At the same time, the fluctuating energy costs of recent years proved challenging for them. So, Nira Pumps invested in reducing energy use and improving operational efficiency.

"The price of energy is of great importance," said Heikkilä. "We have our own foundry, which is very energy intensive. At the same time, heating accounts for a large share of our costs, especially during the long and cold wintertime in Finland."

After learning about the EENergy project, Nira Pumps got in touch with the Enterprise Europe Network team at Business Finland. They identified the company as a good candidate for a grant under the EENergy project. This opportunity provided the push that Nira Pumps needed. With Business Finland’s guidance, the Finnish company introduced an energy efficiency plan.

Using a grant of EUR 10 000 Nira Pumps implemented several energy-saving measures. Wooden window frames were replaced with aluminium ones, which offer significantly greater durability and long-term sustainability. Additional investments were made including enhanced factory insulation, roof renovation and installation of solar panels. The company also incorporated air-source heat pumps to further improve energy efficiency.

Profitability

All of this would not have been possible without the EENergy grant. "These actions brought significant improvements," said Heikkilä. "The new windows alone reduced energy consumption by more than 5 %. We were able to update our sustainability profile because of these interventions. It also proved to be a good signal for our clients and partners. It showcased that we are investing in energy efficiency and taking action to reduce our carbon footprint. That is key for attracting future clients."

Business Finland is very happy with the results of their support. Energy efficiency and sustainability are key for Nira Pumps’ continued growth. "This is necessary in today’s environmentally conscious market," said Teija Pakanen of Business Finland. "By adopting this proactive approach and reaching out to the services available, such as the Enterprise Europe Network, they enhanced their reputation, ensured long-term profitability, and fostered a sustainable future."

At Nira Pumps, they are equally satisfied with the support they received from Business Finland. It allowed the company to advance to the next stage in their evolution. "Help was always available when needed," said Heikkilä. "And it was guiding and encouraging. From our perspective the project really fulfilled our needs."