This is a cache of https://www.paroc.com/en/article/parainen-factory-60-years. It is a snapshot of the page as it appeared on 2026-02-22T01:02:23.977+0000.
Factory in Parainen celebrates its 60th anniversary as well as Manufacturing Appreciation Month | Paroc Article
Paroc
OC Paroc factory in Parainen celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Factory in Parainen celebrates its 60th anniversary as well as Manufacturing Appreciation Month

Written By Paroc•Date Published 2024-10-31

The Owens Corning Paroc's factory in Parainen, Finland, has been known for decades for the familiar red stripes that cover its energy-efficient and fire resilient stone wool insulation. The secret to the factory's success is doing things safely, efficiently and, above all, together. 

In a factory that has been operating for 60 years, there is bound to be someone who knows the places and the people like the back of their hand. At OC Paroc's factory in Parainen, Finland, that someone is Production Manager Peter Söderlund, described by his colleagues as someone who approaches development and anything new with an open mind.

Söderlund, better known as Sökö, has been working at the Parainen factory for 36 years. His career began in 1987 as a summer worker in the warehouse, and he has since progressed from the loading compartment to packaging and production. In the early 2000s, Söderlund studied for a degree in engineering alongside his work. 

What has kept you in the same factory for decades?

"The work community. There are a lot of people with long careers here, so we know each other well. We've always had a great team, where you can be open and tell your colleagues if something is bothering you."

Over the course of his career, Söderlund has seen many changes within the factory walls. When he first started his summer job, the factory had just become the first stone wool manufacturer in the world to install an electric melting furnace. Automation began changing the way work was done in the 2000s, and there have been several organizational changes along the way. However, one thing has remained the same throughout the years: domestic stone wool and its quality.

"Anyone who has ever been in construction knows what Paroc's red stripes are all about. From Parainen, we bring domestic quality materials to the market. I think that has kept the factory going all these years," says Söderlund.

Peter Söderlund OC Paroc

Occupational safety is a joint effort

The Parainen factory has undergone one of its biggest changes in recent years, when the coke-fired cupola melting furnace was shut down. Today, all stone wool is produced on a low-carbon production line using renewable electricity, which has reduced the products’ carbon dioxide emissions significantly. In 2022, an investment of €9 million was made to upgrade the low-carbon production line.

"Big changes require a skilled and competent team. All changes and upgrades are done together in a safe manner, which is the most important aspect of factory work," says Petteri Koukku, Plant Manager at Parainen.

”Safety is the most important aspect of factory work and we are all working together in Parainen to be safe. Safer together is a phrase that every employee who works for OC recognizes and it means safety is a joint effort.”

"Our common goal is for our employees, contractors and visitors to go home safe and sound to their loved ones every day. It's something that everyone at the factory can contribute to," says Petteri Koukku, proudly explaining that this summer marked a full year without a single incident.

Everyone takes part in development work

Working together at the stone wool factory does not stop at safety. The entire 100-strong workforce at the Parainen factory is involved in the Total Productivity Maintenance project which aims to minimize waste and make the factory a better workplace.

"The idea is that everyone can work together to improve the factory and its processes and influence their working environment. One concrete example of the results is the reduction of disturbances in the pilot area when photocells were modified according to suggestions," says Petteri Koukku.

Factory Manager Koukku has worked at Paroc for 17 years, of which the last few at the Parainen factory.

"For me, this has been a reliable and good place to work, where I’ve been able to develop and take on new challenges over the years. I also find it important that we work hard for sustainable development and want to continue being at the forefront of stone wool production in the future," says Koukku.

Petteri Koukku OC Paroc

Bringing families along for the party

On Saturday 26 October, a piece of our future bounced around the factory halls as workers' families gathered to celebrate the factory’s 60th anniversary, and children got to see what their mums and dads do at work. The program included good food, cotton candy and tours of the factory – while wearing protective gear, of course.

Manufacturing Appreciation Month was also celebrated that day at Parainen as well as at all Owens Corning factories and establishments around the world. Even before Saturday's celebrations, each shift had shared coffee and cake in honor of the month. At the end of the month, all employees will also receive a gift from their supervisors.  

"There are plenty of reasons to smile today. The factory has been operating for 60 years, and that’s something to be proud of. I see a very positive future ahead of us and believe that we’ll be producing domestic stone wool at Parainen for the next 60 years as well," says Petteri Koukku.

Peter Söderlund agrees.

"At the factory, we form a chain where everyone has a role to play. When we succeed together, the whole factory thrives."