Katepal on the roof
Katepal offers a wide range of products based on SBS-modified bitumen. We met up with CEO Mikko Pellinen just as the company turns 70.
What is Katepal’s specific area of focus?
Katepal Oy is one of Finland’s leading manufacturers of bituminous roofing materials. We manufacture roofing products for both consumers and professionals, such as various capsheets and underlay membranes and a wide range of roofing shingles. Bitumen is used in all our products, as it is an effective insulant against water, humidity and sound. We export to more than 20 countries, the main countries being Russia, Sweden and Norway.
Why do you have such a strong position among customers?
One of our core values is reliability. Our customers can rely on product quality as well as outstanding customer service. We also strive to be a reliable partner to all our suppliers and other parties we cooperate with. The company boasts 70 years of experience in the roofing business, so we can say with confidence that we know this business inside and out.
Are there any special plans for the future?
Katepal celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2019, but we’re not slowing down – quite the contrary. As proof of our continuous commitment to develop the company, we’re in the process of finalising a multimillion investment in our factory, which will further strengthen our position in the bitumen-based roofing segment. The new production line was taken into operation this summer.
How would you describe your partnership with Nynas?
Nynas has been our supplier of key raw materials for several years, and during that time, we have learned to appreciate the quality of their service. When the roofing season is under way, the accuracy of deliveries has to be spot on and we have experienced this with Nynas. Another key requirement is the consistency of bitumen quality, which in turn allows Katepal to maintain a high and constant quality of its products.
