Expertise is a shared competitive advantage

– Artificial intelligence cannot simply replace the experience of a skilled machinist and expert. A machine cannot fit a challenging workpiece into a fixture. A machine cannot make the kind of decisions that a skilled machinist hears with his own ears as a dull tool mills chips away from the workpiece. That is why people are needed who have understanding, a holistic view and practical knowledge, says CEO Jari Tikkala .

No two pieces are alike.

In contract manufacturing, customers' products vary significantly. Often, only one product can be made using the same method – and each new product requires customized design.

– The behavior of materials, the selection of tools and adapting the right machining methods to production are skills that cannot be learned in an instant, says method expert Markku Pitkänen.

Often, designing demanding parts takes weeks, even months. In addition, the design must meet practical realities: production schedule, costs and delivery reliability. This combination – technical expertise, production understanding and understanding of customer needs – is the core of competence.

Continuous learning is needed in the midst of change

Contract manufacturing cycles are getting shorter. Information travels faster, customers expect faster deliveries, and design and production decisions need to be made faster. This requires not only technical capabilities, but also the ability to adapt and constantly learn new things.

– But you can't learn everything in school. In mechanical engineering, tacit knowledge is still needed, which is only transferred by doing and learning alongside experienced people. That's why apprenticeships – learning new things through practical work – are more valuable today than ever, says Pitkänen.

Expertise is a shared competitive advantage

High-quality machining is not created by machines or software alone. It is created by expertise meeting customer needs – at the right time, with the right methods. It is about collaboration, understanding and foresight.

That's why Merimet invests in expertise. Experienced employees, professionals who are learning new things, and modern systems work together. Our work combines freedom, responsibility, and genuine influence – and that's what makes the work meaningful.

Do you need a partner who can combine technology and practical understanding?

Contact us and let's talk more!