The name directly tells what the foundation of the company was as it comes from the Finnish words for earth fault current compensation (maansulkuvirran kompensointi). Today, Ensto Maviko employs 30 people, the pace is accelerating, and the demand is growing nicely. However, a lot has happened to get to this point.
Learning From the Best
After graduating from the Ylivieska Institute of Technology in 1998, ABB Transmit was my first workplace. There was this true earth fault current compensation guru, and I got to learn his teachings. A team of three people was established, and we systematically studied the topic combining the theory and the practice of commissioning and measuring the devices on construction sites. The time was right, as in the early 2000s, issues related to power quality began to be increasingly on the surface within the Finnish electricity distribution network. Over the years, we learned a lot about distribution network protection, sales and customer training. After many phases and exciting events, I finally quit and decided to start my own business.
Sleepless Nights and Excitement
Our first child was born in 2004 and Maviko was founded in 2006 in Vaasa. I did everything alone for a long time, so sleepless nights, financial uncertainty and endless working hours have been included along the way. Above all, there has been a huge amount of learning. From the very beginning, I believed in the possibility of growth in the earth fault current compensation, as the solution is really necessary and there were hardly any competitors – nor really expertise. Projects are expensive for the customer, and at some point, there was a fear in the customer's head of the big risks of collaborating with a one-man company. At its tightest, I gave myself a year to see how things worked out. However, everything went well, and the business took off smoothly.
Speeding Up
Maviko initially focused purely on earth fault current compensation. In 2009, I hired my first employee, and we started expanding quite quickly. Customers started asking if we could add more solutions, and although we were initially hesitant, we gradually expanded to replace protection relays, and eventually started offering the construction of an entirely new substation. The largest single project has been worth more than EUR 4 million. Our customers include distribution system operators and increasingly wind farms. Along the way, the containment building business for earth fault current compensators was added, from which the smart substation business was refined. Today, the demand for smart primary and secondary substations is increasing rapidly due to the tightening electricity quality requirements.
Becoming Part of Ensto
Negotiations with Ensto took a long time. We had our own plans and clear visions at Maviko, and at first, we felt that Ensto did not really fit the picture. However, we found common ground and today I am pleased that Ensto supports us in our growth. We have customers e.g. in Iceland and with Ensto, we have gained more channels for export.
The smart substation concept is needed all over the world, so the future looks bright.
When growing rapidly, it is good to have a larger company organization and functions behind it. I feel strongly that we share common goals, and the strategies are well aligned. During the rush of taking care of everyday practicalities, this is a major help and support as with the team we take the time for planning and sparring, too.
A Little Boy's Dream
Flying has been my dream since I was a little boy. The same year I founded Maviko, I signed up for pilot license courses which were left unfinished because the work took me traveling. I resumed 10 years later, when studying theory became possible online. In 2018, I got my private pilot license and bought a two-seater small aircraft. Today I have a 6-seater machine and almost the same rights as professional pilots, meaning that I can fly even in worse weather, which expands the hobby opportunities. During the summer holiday we took our own plane to Lake Garda in Italy. I feel this hobby is a perfect counterbalance for work as I truly enjoy traveling and going on a flight brings particularly good vibes. To be honest, I am absolutely thrilled with my hobby.
Kimmo Autio
The writer of the blog is the founder, one of the owners and Managing Director of Ensto Maviko.