Lismar Oy Ltd. 5/09
As I enter in the premises of Lismar, the welcoming committee couldn’t be any better - a little tail-waiving pooch sure knows how to receive guests! After many wet kisses and hand lickings, our four-legged friend stays waiting outside the meeting room as I enter to talk with Mr. Raimo J. Mäkitalo and Mr. Markku Mäkitalo about the family business - Lismar.
These men are father and son and still working together, but the company is gradually taken over by the younger Mäkitalo. Mr. Raimo Mäkitalo had been taking care of the business with his brother but after some changes in the company, Mr. Raimo Mäkitalo found himself working with his own son. Lismar is a true family company as also Mr. Mäkitalo´s daughter is a co-owner.
The company that sells smoke detectors and fire alarm services was founded in 1964 in Hämeenlinna. However, Lismar has been in Lempäälä for already 30 years. The piece of land they bought from Lempäälä municipality has turned out to be just perfect for the company´s needs and it has permitted to enlarge the building from 800m2 up to 1400m2.
 Mr. Markku Mäkitalo with his father, Mr. Raimo Mäkitalo |
Competition is getting harder
When Lismar first started, there was no hard competition in the branch. Nowadays there are many big, international enterprises and the competition has tightened. “Lismar has its own clientele and its place in the market”, commented Mr. Markku Mäkitalo. The turnover has been increasing steadily. The last five years have brought a growth of 20%. The company has a 10% market share and they are rather content with it.
The financial crisis doesn’t worry Lismar men. Mr. Raimo Mäkitalo remembers that Lismar was making good results during the last recession in the 90´s – better than during the economic boom. Lismar´s more economical set-up solutions were sold well during economical crisis.
The majority of the clientele is electric installation companies. They also deliver systems directly to industry. Lismar´s field of action is e.g.: planning analysis, diagram design, installations and check-ups, as well as technical support and maintenance of their products and services.
The function of a fire alarm business requires an official permission. Safety Technology Authority (TUKES) maintains and promotes the technical safety culture and realibility in order to protect people, property and the environment. This permission needs to be updated every five years. Except the company, they also need an official permission for at least one of the company employees. The fire alarm business is also responsible of the whole process, including the suppliers.
Good personnel and other strengths
Lismar´s strength has always been good, professional personnel. The company self has trained its personnel because the studies for the business is hard to find in public institutions. They do, however, co-operate with professional institutes and Lismar accepts gladly young excited students to practical training.
Lismar has good, secure and easy-to-use products. In addition they have flexible and rapid service and good business contacts. This good package is what keeps them in the competition.
Their strength is also the location in Lempäälä, in the heart of Southern Finland.
The location is extremely important as their clients are situated all over Finland.
Mr. Markku Mäkitalo thinks that Lempäälä has the best location in Tampere Region.
Energy of hockey matches
Mr. Markku Mäkitalo relaxes watching hockey matches and sometimes playing himself.
His father prefers to go to the family cottage hunting and fishing.
I still think that one of the best ways of relaxing must be this wonderful little pooch, who has nobly waited all this time behind the meeting room, sniffing the smell of fresh-baked buns. As gladly as he welcomed me before, he makes sure to say goodbyes, too!
(Mrs. Päivi Nahkola, Contact Manager)
