The Finnish company Hackman Metos has become one of the four biggest companies in the professional kitchen sector in Europe and the market leader in Scandinavia. The dramatic growth comes not only from corporate acquisitions but also innovative product development, which has brought new customers to the company. Metos has been part of the Hackman Group since 1994. The other main field of the Group is represented by Designor, which brings out product brands in cooking utensils and tableware.

Metos develops and markets customer-responsive solutions and equipment for professional kitchens, both institutions and restaurants. Kettles and dish-washing machines and systems are the company's main product areas. At the same time all the equipment and fittings for storing and transporting food and serving it are included in the product range.

Respecting the environment cost-effectively

A good example of Metos's innovative product development is the ICS+ system which has been patented by the company and can reduce the operating expenses of dish-washing in a professional kitchen by between 30 and 80% compared with the traditional dish-washing machines. The system is based on an intelligent control system that operates the washing and rinsing functions in a rack conveyor dishwasher only when there are utensils to be washed in the machine.

In the typical professional kitchen the dishwashing process is harmful to the environment not only due to the use of detergents but also because it creates 30 to 45% of the electricity consumption in a kitchen and 80% of the water consumption. So the cost savings brought by Metos's ICS system mean at the same time a considerable reduction in the amount of harm caused to environment.

Training - part of the marketing

In 2002 the Metos Center was completed at Kerava. Its more than 2,000 square metres of exhibition, demonstration and training facilities together with its ultra-modern catering equipment serve customers and co-partners in several ways, such as product and system demonstrations.

Other Finnish companies in the food cluster are seeking synergy from the new premises: Atria Oyj, Valio Oy and Metos have started cooperation in training sessions for professionals in the sector at the Metos Center. At one training session the customer has an opportunity to become acquainted with the development of the most important product groups, i.e. the raw materials, and to go into details about the latest equipment technology and its development. The main instructors at the training sessions are companies' own chefs, but the participants also carry out practical tests on new products and equipment.

Metos's production plants are located in Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Belgium and Italy, and there are also sales companies in Norway, France, the United Kingdom, Russia and the Baltic countries. In 2002 Metos's turnover amounted to 200 million euros, and it employs more than 1,400 people.

>> www.metos.com

Metos's ICS+ system is an innovation for cleaning kitchen utensils with lower running costs and less harm to the environment.