The Finnish glazed door specialist Pocadel helps luxury cruise ship architects in bringing their grand visions to life. Their product development integrates light weight, fire resistance, and durability.
In the middle of the countryside in Sauvo, Southwest Finland, a passerby suddenly encounters red factory buildings. Here the technology company Pocadel develops and manufactures light and fire rated glazed doors and walls for cruise ships sailing the world’s seas.
The company’s latest innovation is an A60 fire rated glazed automatic sliding door, certified in November 2024. The very slim, three-centimetre SlimVision frame makes the door globally unique.
– Architects have wished for the largest possible glasses with the slimmest possible frames for a very long time. This innovation gives them a possibility to design structures never seen before, CEO Sami Luoto says.
The A60 fire rating means that the door is made of fireproof material. It also keeps the fire at bay and maintains the temperature within allowed limits for at least an hour. The sliding door can be ordered in an exceptionally large size with a maximum width of over 1,5 and height of over 2,7 metres.
Aiming for Long Lifespan Products
Pocadel is a pioneer in fire-rated glass for ships, and the majority of the company’s products are produced for export. The most common customer is a turnkey provider of interior solutions for cruise ships. Shipyards, shipping companies and design and architecture firms are also important partners.
The company’s R&D team listens to the customers’ hopes, needs, and ideas attentively. Automation, hygiene and accessibility are current trends in the business.
– In recent years more and more customers wish for a turnkey solution, which includes help in planning, the products, and their installation and deployment, Luoto says.
Pocadel’s R&D relies on competent staff, which consists of both experienced professionals and representatives of the younger generation of experts. The company’s own supplier network and Southwest Finland’s strong marine ecosystem also play and important role.
Pocadel aims for sustainable, long lifespan products that are cost-effective to produce. The company’s R&D is guided by the strict fire safety regulations of the maritime industry.
– And we want to test the largest possible structures and a wide variety of decorative options in all our glasses. It brings new possibilities for the architects and designers, says Tommy Löytynoja, who oversees product development in Pocadel.
R&D Funding Helps in Making Things Happen
Over the years, Pocadel has utilised R&D funding. With Business Finland’s Market Explorer and Exhibition Explorer funding, the company has investigated the market potential of different products and gained exposure at industry events around the world.
Pocadel has also used Business Finland funding in developing their after-sales process. The project investigated how Pocadel’s maintenance and spare parts services should be arranged, when the cruise ships sail all over the world.
– Our innovation activities would be much smaller in scale without these funding instruments. Such projects also help in organising thoughts and getting things done, Sami Luoto says.
He thinks that research and piloting are well-funded in Finland. He regrets that clean product development projects are supported solely by loans.
– It would help a lot if direct support would also be available for projects which aim to develop a commercial product.
Product Development Support from the New Owner
In 2022 Pocadel’s Finnish owners sold the company to the Norwegian IMS Group. It is a 500-employee group of companies that specialise in technological solutions for the marine and offshore industries.
According to Sami Luoto and Tommy Löytynoja, a big owner brings not only financial security but also ideas for product and process development. For instance, the automation technology of Pocadel’s A60 fire rated sliding door is developed in IMS Group. The group companies also support Pocadel in the after-sales services around the world.
Sami Luoto looks to the future with enthusiasm. Pocadel is experiencing rapid growth: In 2024 the company’s revenue grew by 43 percent. In the coming years, Luoto anticipates a 20 percent annual growth.
To support the growth, Pocadel and IMS Group will open a new factory in Lithuania. When Pocadel’s factory in Finland reaches its full production capacity, support will be provided by the Lithuanian plant.
– I want to emphasise that Pocadel is still a Finnish company that employs Finnish people and pays taxes in Finland. We are not going anywhere from here, Sami Luoto says.
He anticipates growth also from the offshore industry, where special doors are needed, for example in ensuring the fire safety and comfort of the staff. Product development also has its own requirements there.
– In the offshore business we have tested products for places that also require high sound insulation, Tommy Löytynoja says.
Text: Heidi Pelander
Photos: Heidi Pelander, Pocadel
This article is part of the TKI-kompassi project, funded by the Regional Council of Southwest Finland.
