Sandvik, the 2025 main partner of the Alihankinta trade fair, is a world-leading supplier of drilling equipment and related services. Most of the products the company manufactures in Finland are exported. A competitive, continuously evolving subcontracting network is a key part of Sandvik's success. That's why the company supports and encourages its partners to develop their expertise and invest in strengthening their competitiveness.
The competitiveness of the subcontracting network is a key strategic issue for Sandvik's success.
Jani Savinainen, the company's Manufacturing Production Director, notes that a company is only as strong as its weakest link:
– The more competitive our supplier network is, the more successful we are in international competition. Our success benefits the whole network.
Competitiveness is built on agility and expertise
According to Savinainen, the core of competitiveness lies in quality performance, agility, speed, and cost efficiency. As markets change rapidly, networks must adapt and respond quickly.
– Developing expertise is also important. Digital development offers new opportunities, and making use of them is an essential part of building competitiveness, but traditional machine shop know-how also holds great value, Savinainen notes.
For Savinainen, investing in competitiveness also entails risk management. Geopolitical tensions and rapid market shifts destabilize supply chains, and that's when strong partnerships provide stability.
– Long-term partnerships are a clear form of risk management. The closer the relationship, the faster and clearer the exchange of information, which improves the ability to respond to disruptions, Savinainen says.
A screen doesn't replace real-life encounters
Good relationships begin with encounters, and Alihankinta is the natural place to build them. The event brings together the entire industrial ecosystem, with subcontractors, technology partners, main contractors, and decision-makers gathering.
– Alihankinta is the largest industrial trade fair in the Nordics and an extremely important venue for networking. At the fair, you hear valuable talks from the leading edge of industry development. There's such a broad range of manufacturing industry experts on site that I'd be surprised if new openings, innovations, or business opportunities didn't emerge, Savinainen states.
Savinainen points out that on Student Day, the future workforce arrives. Meeting them matters for the continuity of the entire industry and opens recruitment opportunities.
– I encourage companies to come along boldly and invest in competitiveness. Those opportunities are there at the fair, Savinainen says.
Main partnership brought visibility and contacts
As Alihankinta's main partner, Sandvik enjoyed the trade fair buzz last year. The partnership gave the company visibility across the entire subcontracting network and strengthened its ties with the supply chain.
– Digital events often lack the unique power of encounter that comes from meeting face to face. Trade fairs and other live events create genuine contacts that can develop into significant business opportunities. A few years ago, Sandvik met an operator at the fair, and the collaboration that began then has grown over the years into significant business. The partnership continues to thrive today, Savinainen reveals.
Trade fairs offer opportunities for collaboration
The fair is also a showcase for collaboration opportunities. At Alihankinta 2025, Sandvik presented the DAPONET project, in which a product lens combines a product's manufacturing and usage data across its entire lifecycle. The product lens concept improves traceability, sustainability, and performance, and supports new data-driven services. The solution was developed within the DAPONET ecosystem in collaboration with Sandvik, VTT, Tampere University, Business Finland, and Sandvik's key supplier partners.
– The project sparked a lot of interest at the fair, and we also found potential new openings for manufacturing innovation. Overall, we had the chance to openly show the subcontracting network what Sandvik values and emphasizes when choosing partners, Savinainen sums up.
According to Savinainen, the fair is not one to miss under any circumstances, as it offers a unique opportunity to network, find new partners, and grow business.
– Book your spot, come to the fair, and use the three days to build your network. You'll find the partners and openings at the fair that will drive competitiveness forward!
Want to strengthen your competitiveness and find the partners who will drive your business forward? Alihankinta 2026 brings together industrial suppliers, main contractors, and decision-makers at the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre from 29.9.–1.10.2026. Book your place and join us!
