Champion Door's 30-year journey - Success brought on with internationalization and development

Founded in 1992, Champion Door Oy celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The company's roots go back to 1974, when Viljo Hosio started a business and founded Nivalan-Kaihdin Ky. Over the years, Champion Door Oy has developed from a family-owned company manufacturing solar screen products into an internationally acclaimed manufacturer of fabric fold-up doors and partitions walls for large applications.

Champion Door designed its first large shipyard and hangar doors in 1998. At the same time, the company developed a groundbreaking thermally insulated fabric fold-up door and later several new technically exceptional solutions. International demand for products grew rapidly. After the turn of the millennium, the company decided to focus solely on making large doors and in 2005 changed its name to Champion Door.

Over the years, operations have expanded with overseas offices and distributors around the world. To date, the company's products have been shipped to more than 50 countries. According to CEO Pekka Hosio, internationalization has been made possible by committed and flexible subcontractors. Praise is also given to dedicated, employees with good language skills, some of whom have worked for Champion Door since its beginning.

“We have offered our products without prejudice to different countries and for different functions, and we know that they are suitable for any circumstances. International business also requires excellent project management skills, as our doors of over 12 meters in width are only assembled from subassemblies into finished doors at the site. Each country has its own practices that we have learned to work with.”

The customer is served throughout the product's 30-year life cycle

According to Hosio, Champion Door has been successful thanks to continuous development work. The company also invests in versatile customer service. Champion Door is already involved in the design phase of the building and offers its expertise to both building designers and architects.

“We are in active contact with our customers and offer them detailed service. We store detailed project information in our system, starting with the product structure and part numbering. Thanks to careful documentation, we are able to provide maintenance and spare parts services throughout the product's 30-year life cycle.”

Thanks to the continuous product development, Hosio is aware of the sharp and innovative staff. Champion Door has managed to find solutions for its products that competitors do not have. The company also offers its customers a customized service for total solutions. Often, Champion Door is selected as the door supplier when the solution offered by international competitors is not sufficient.

“We are always ready to meet the special needs of our customers and develop new solutions. It has increased our competitiveness in the market to its current level.”

Hosio also highlights the company's ability to adapt to challenging situations as a factor that has led to success.

“The pandemic hit us like a thousand volts of electricity. The number of orders decreased and customers had to postpone the production of orders placed. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, our faith in the future is strong.”

50 countries, it’s only the beginning

Champion Door plans to grow and expand more in the future. Internationalization continues with the expansion of the global dealer network and the recruitment of native sales personnel abroad. The United States is an ever-growing market area for Champion Door. Operations have recently been extended to completely new market areas, such as Oceania and South Asia.

“We will continue to modify our products, but the main points will remain the cornerstone of our operations - we will continue to serve our customers quickly and actively and offer them solutions that are suitable, functional and stylish for their needs.”