Fredman invests in its production in Rauma – production capacity increased for baking papers and pans

September 9, 2025

Finnish kitchen products manufacturer Fredman is investing in the development of production and modernisation of main production lines. This marks the most significant reform in the company’s almost 30-year history. During the autumn, the Rauma factory will be modernised with a new palletizing robot for baking paper production lines, new equipment for baking pan production, a new automatic forklift connected to the manufacturing execution system and a centralised product pallet wrapping line. The investments support the company’s growth both domestically and in international markets. 

Fredman’s Factory Director Veli-Pekka Salonen stresses that the change comprises more than just new machinery.

We are investing to strengthen our competitiveness and ensure delivery reliability in an increasingly demanding market. We are enhancing our operations by streamlining production and internal logistics processes and introducing technology to support these improvements, summarizes Salonen.

The total value of the current investments is around 1 million euros. Although the current reforms are extensive in scope, Salonen reminds that developing the production process will remain an integral part of the culture of continuous improvement going forward.

The Rauma factory produces filter bags, baking paper and Elmukelmu plastic wrap, among other products. Another important product group is food packaging in all its different forms, such as the cardboard food trays produced for Finnair.

For the 50 employees at Fredman’s factory, the changes mean both new locations of machinery on the factory floor as well as new ways of working.

“The upgrades require flexibility and openness to learning new processes from all members of personnel. We are all in this together, and production employees are actively involved in finalising machine-specific safety procedures, among other things. We have heard nothing but positive feedback on the automation of manual tasks and paperwork and reduced physical workload,” Salonen says.

Fredman’s turnover last year was 30.6 million euros, of which exports accounted for around one quarter.