The strongly growing technology company Insta has acquired the entire share capital of Apex Automation. Apex Automation is a well-known expert in electrical and automation engineering, with a strong reputation particularly in industrial projects.
The acquisition enables joint growth and the ability to deliver large-scale projects in an agile manner, close to customers. The companies’ diverse specialist expertise will benefit their industrial customers’ increasingly comprehensive needs in electrical automation and digitalization. Apex Automation, operating in Kokkola and Vaasa, will become part of Insta’s Industry business area and will continue to operate as an independent company for the time being.
Through the acquisition, Insta significantly strengthens its offering, particularly in the Ostrobothnia region. “We want to serve our customers locally, comprehensively and with high quality. Apex Automation’s deep service expertise, strong customer relationships and know-how, combined with Insta’s extensive service portfolio, create compelling synergies,” says Aleksi Salmirinne, Head of Insta’s Industry business area.
Insta operates across a wide range of fields, including industry, critical infrastructure, security of supply, cybersecurity and defence solutions. By combining top-level expertise with modern technology, the company creates solutions that strengthen security and ensure the smooth functioning of society.
Comprehensive lifecycle services and cybersecurity
Insta, a Finnish family-owned company, delivers automation and electrical solutions tailored for critical industrial environments. These solutions combine in-depth expertise in the process industry, strong cybersecurity competence, and the ability to provide comprehensive lifecycle services. A strong security-driven value proposition is an integral part of the offering.
“We have already experienced 14 years of growth, and this year is very likely to continue that trajectory. As the intelligence and connectivity of industrial systems have increased, processes and systems are increasingly linked to the digital environment. As a result, cyber threats now have a significantly greater impact on technical safety than before. In an uncertain global situation, we have invested boldly and focused, among other things, on cybersecurity services such as protecting industrial systems and critical production processes against cyber threats,” the company states.
In 2024, Insta reached a record turnover of €176.2 million. The Industry business area, which focuses on automation, electrification and digitalization services, generated revenue of €101.2 million, representing a 7% increase compared to the previous year. This accounted for approximately 57% of the Group’s total revenue. In Finland, Insta operates a total of 15 locations.
Quality and efficiency for industrial needs
Operating in Kokkola and Vaasa, Apex Automation provides demanding automation and electrical design solutions for the industrial and energy sectors, backed by more than three decades of experience. The company is known for its customer‑centric approach, strong project expertise and high quality. Its services include automation and electrical engineering, machine safety, robotics and expert services.
“Reliability and strong expertise are at the core of both our operations and Insta’s. By combining our capabilities, we can offer our customers even more impactful solutions – and develop entirely new kinds of services. The acquisition brings stability to our personnel and opens up new opportunities to grow and learn as part of a broader expert community. I am truly excited about this new chapter in Apex’s story,” says Marko Kiviniemi, CEO of Apex Automation.
Apex Automation employs more than sixty industry professionals. In 2024, the company’s turnover totalled €5.9 million. Apex has strong references and proven collaboration with companies such as Boliden Kokkola, Umicore Finland, Hitachi Energy Finland and Finn Spring. Apex is also Finland’s first Universal Robots–certified system integrator for collaborative robots.
Customer focus and trust at the core
Insta’s comprehensive expertise in electrical automation and digitalization is built on customer‑oriented service, extensive technological know‑how, professional execution, and proactive maintenance and lifecycle services.
According to a customer satisfaction survey, customers rate Insta’s reliability and professionalism extremely highly, and collaboration is experienced as very smooth. The Net Promoter Score, indicating customer satisfaction, was an excellent 57.
“As a family-owned company, Insta has, in line with its values, invested significantly in employee well‑being and development — which in turn is reflected in exceptionally strong customer satisfaction. In our Industry business area, we currently employ around 700 professionals, and the group now exceeds 1,200 employees. We are continuously recruiting; there is always a shortage of good talent,” says Aleksi Salmirinne.
The company has transformed from a small automation installation firm into an international technology group employing over a thousand people and developing and utilizing advanced technologies on a broad scale. Insta’s expertise is already used in more than 50 countries. This year, Insta celebrates its 65‑year journey.
