Part I – enterprise:
Description of the enterprise and the business area
short history: Ha Serv Ltd constituted 1992 by two persons. At the beginning firm offered surfacing services. Since 1996 firm situated in Reola, and at the moment works there 85 persons.
main ratios (turnover, personnel): 2004 turnover was 90 million EEK (~5752000 EUR) and 2005 turnover plan is 100 million EEK (~6391000 EUR). 85 workers. 60% men and 40% women. Average age 35- 40.
main products, markets and costumers: boardsand planks for bath- house platform, mouldings and wallpanelling for exterior and interior house. Thermoprocessed asp boards and boards for bath- house platform.
Boardsand planks - Finland and Germany (bulding firms, sauna builders, vendors);
Infra- red sauna - USA, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Australia.
Traditional sauna - Finland, Latvia, Lithuania (vendors), Estonia, Sweden, Norway.
main trends in the business area: removable sauna (infra- red sauna). Using wood as the building material is increasing (wallpanelling). Estonians income is increasing and company has opportunity to sell more product to local people (Estonians).
Present situation regarding innovation aspects
present innovation: 2004 firm were bought Saunax trademark and started to produce bath- house platform (sauna). 2004 started to produce sauna doors (wood parts). New machines (finger-joint) (old machine had a low capacity). New production building- are using to make sauna. 4 new wood dryer chamber. In cooperation with Tartu University research infa- red sauna influence to human health.
resources and working methods/strategies for innovations: no extra personnel hired. Budget 2 million EEK. Market force made to do investments (innovations).
Description of the business goals of the enterprise,
Future innovations the enterprise is planning to work with,
Analysis and recommendations for the enterprise how to enhance the innovations:
1. resource analysis (financial and other material resources) money came as the bank loan (2 million EEK ~127000 EUR) and financial support from – (EAS) Enterprise Estonia (fix up firm territory roads), export support.
Part II – innovation case:
Chronology and subject of the innovation:
- what was the problem situation before innovation?: productivity was low and high net value.
- innovation outcome: higher productivity, higher employment, lower net cost. Also these changes gave possibility to offer more different kind of wood products.
Actors network analysis:
- which actors involved? (public administration; extension services; interest groups/NGO`s; education and research institution; firm network and cooperation): schools- Võru County Vocational Training Centre (student practice). Tartu University - research infa- red sauna influence too, human health. B2B- consultation with Saunax ex - owner .
- roles of actors (who contributed ideas/impulse/information/support?): market situation and opportunity to buy Saunax trademark. Support game as a bank loan (127 000 EUR).
- what kinds of business cooperation? (horizontal/vertical/lateral): there were no kind of cooperation with other companies except Saunax trademark ex- owner.
Analysis of the innovation process:
- coordination and cooperation of actors: before take over the Saunax there were market research.
Evaluation:
- positive and negative results and outcomes of the innovation (economic performance and other / unintended effects):low crude material, high competition, low price (sauna). Successes: EAS (Enterprise Estonia) support to asphalting the firm territory. Higher capacity.
future plans: ISO standard, more conifer surfacing and hardwood at least stay on the same level.
Conclusions:
- lessons learnt / recommendations:
recommendations: more B2B, more cooperation with vocational secondary schools and universities (student practice, more researches etc.).