partner/story

Normet

INDUSTRY: HEAVY EQUIPMENT/MINING

LOCATION: IISALMI, FINLAND

FOUNDED: 1962

EMPLOYEES: 1300+

“The machines of the future need intelligence – and professionals to build it.”

Normet’s Challenge

Machines are becoming increasingly software-oriented, but the availability of professionals in Iisalmi is a challenge.

Normet’s Challenge

Machines are becoming increasingly software-oriented, but attracting talent to Iisalmi is a challenge.

kood/Sisu Solutions

Top-level software development expertise can be trained where it is needed most.

kood/Sisu Solutions

Top-level software development expertise can be trained where it is needed the most.

Normet is an international technology company that manufactures and develops machinery and related services designed for underground use. The company’s main operations are located in Iisalmi, where the factory and a significant part of product development form the core of its activities.

The importance of software development has increased even further in recent years as intelligent functions and data-driven services are introduced into machinery.

“This is about securing our future operating conditions. Companies are made up of people – without trained personnel, we cannot operate in Iisalmi. That’s why we want to be involved in building an education ecosystem that provides us with relevant expertise now and in 2040.”
– Samu Kukkonen, Technology Director, Normet

“Today’s machines are like smartphones. Advanced software enables new features and better performance – software development is one of our most important competitive factors.”

Samu Kukkonen, Technology Director

Recruitment challenges encouraged collaboration.

The location in North Savo brings its own challenges to recruitment. Although Iisalmi has a strong industrial skills base, attracting top talent to the area is difficult – especially in the field of software development.

“North Savo is not the most attractive place in the country for a software developer. We have had to recruit talent for remote work from other parts of Finland. However, it is important to us that development work is done in Iisalmi – where the factory and the rest of product development are located,” Kukkonen emphasizes.

Istekki & kood/Sisu Hackathon / June 2025

Kood/Sisu students visiting Normet’s factory in Iisalmi.

When the news emerged about Kood/Sisu establishing a software development school in Kuopio, Normet immediately saw an opportunity.

“This was a concrete way to influence the creation of relevant expertise in the region – and an opportunity for us to secure our future workforce.”

“Today’s machines are like smartphones. Advanced software enables new features and better performance – software development is one of our most important competitive factors.”

Samu Kukkonen, Technology Director

Involved from the very beginning

Normet joined the Kood/Sisu founding network not only as a financier but also as an active partner. The company has participated in the development of course content and has been involved in shaping the school’s direction.

“We wanted to ensure that the content of the training stays aligned with the needs of the business sector. The embedded systems specialization module is a good example of how the school has been built based on companies’ needs.”

The collaboration has also been built through recruitment pathways and student engagement. Normet offers internship opportunities and participates in events where students and companies meet.

“It is important to us that students find it easy to approach us. Events, shared spaces, and visibility in the school’s daily life help with this.”

Building the future

Normet sees its partnership with Kood/Sisu primarily as an investment in the future.

“This is about securing our future operating conditions. Companies are made up of people – without trained personnel, we cannot operate in Iisalmi. That’s why we want to be involved in building an education ecosystem that provides us with relevant expertise now and in 2040.”

Istekki & kood/Sisu Hackathon / June 2025.

Normet hopes that the collaboration will produce professionals who will find employment not only at Normet but also in other companies in the region. In addition, the company values the dialogue that the network enables.

“The network has provided good benchmarking and joint brainstorming – on how things should be handled in the future.”

Training that serves both the company’s needs and the regional economy

Normet is a good example of how a technology company can be involved in building education that serves both the company’s needs and the regional economy more broadly. Through Kood/Sisu, Normet has been able to influence training content, build recruitment pathways, and communicate to young people about the kinds of jobs available in Iisalmi.

“We are only at the beginning, but the direction is right. This has already been a success – and the best is yet to come.”

– Samu Kukkonen, Technology Director, Normet