Riskas Snickeri looks ahead

Riskas looks to the future with anticipation, by offering complete solutions, developing their production, creating new innovative products and by approaching new target groups.

Bernt Riska and Thomas Kulla collaborated for the first time in 2013. Riskas Snickeri manufactured the interiors for an OQS catamaran, and Thomas’ company LTK Products was responsible for the assembly. Since then, the collaboration has continued. Riska and Kulla have been in the same boat since 2018, when Kulla became a partner in Riskas Snickeri, through his company LTK Products.

Together they now offer design, planning, programming, carpentry, assembly and maintenance services, i.e. the whole package – something which the market also demands. In the past, carpentries focused on carpentry alone, and did not offer much else. However, times have changed, and today’s customers are looking for complete solutions.

In terms of their services, Bernt and Thomas complement each other. However, when it comes to business management, they share the same values.

– We have similar thoughts on how companies should be managed and taken care of, as well as how to take care of the staff, Bernt Riska describes. We also think in the same lines when it comes to finances. The economy is an balancing act. It is not that simple, and you need to have experience. It’s valuable to have Thomas to brainstorm with.

Riskas has interesting development plans. An expansion for CNC milling, machining and material storage is currently being planned. Surface treatment and painting must be moved, and the workflow redesigned to make the work even better and more efficient. This will also improve the working environment, which both Bernt and Thomas consider to be very important.

"Our skilled workers is our most important resource" - Bernt Riska

– Our skilled employees is our most important resource, Bernt Riska explains. It can take decades to become a real “super carpenter”, as we call it. Once you are fully learned, it will soon be time to retire, Thomas adds with a smile.

In addition to the boat industry, which is Riska’s main target group, collaborations in the construction industry is something that interests the company. Cooperation with architectural firms and the planning and manufacture of furnishings for public spaces such as school buildings, hotels or restaurants, even outside Finland’s borders, is something Riskas wants to invest in.

"As we offer both planning and manufacturing, we can very accurately calculate material consumption and thus offer cost-effective solutions. " - Thomas Kulla

– We believe we can function as an ideal partner. You do not need to come up with ready-made plans, but you can start with an idea or sketches. We can act as a partner from start to finish. Because we offer both planning and manufacturing, we can very accurately calculate material consumption and thus offer cost-effective solutions, says Thomas Kulla.

For a long time, Riskas has also worked on something they call a Module project. This project was also born of a close collaboration of planning, manufacturing and assembly.

– On the assembly side, Thomas has a lot of experience of how to e.g. streamline work and minimize damage, and thus also save both time and money for the customer. We have conceptualized this and created a so-called module that is planned and manufactured at the carpentry, then to be lifted on site in e.g. a boat. Thus, nothing is mounted on site, but the finished module is fixed with the help of pins. Even plumbing and electrical work is prepared on the carpentry floor.

Bernt Riska and Thomas Kulla are very happy as they have on-going projects. Entrepreneurship itself is also a driving force, it feels good when both customers and employees are satisfied and happy.

– I’m not ready to stop just yet. Hopefully I’ll be around for many years to come, Bernt Riska laughs.

Photo and text: Studio Frekvens

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Thomas Kulla – partner in Riskas Snickeri since 2018

Thomas Kulla’s company LTK Products worked together with Riskas Snickeri in 2013 when Riskas manufactured the interiors for an OQS catamaran and LTK Products did the assembly. Five years later, Thomas Kulla became a partner in Riskas Snickeri. How did this come about?