Trust is at the core of the long term and well planned partnership between Aurubis Finland Oy and Insta. As Aurubis’s life cycle partner, Insta takes comprehensive responsibility for the entire power distribution system, ensuring precise execution, safe operations and predictable performance. As a result of the cooperation, the availability of production machinery has significantly improved. Maintenance is proactive, schedules are met, and systems are continuously developed together.
Published on 12 February 2021. Updated on 16 April 2026.
Aurubis Finland Oy is Europe’s largest copper producer and one of the world’s leading copper recyclers, with more than 150 years of expertise in the copper industry. Located in the Pori Copper Industry Park, the company operates the only copper rolling mill in the Nordic countries, integrated with a smelter. Approximately 250 professionals manufacture copper castings and rolled copper products for the electrical, electronics and construction industries. Aurubis Finland Oy is part of the German Aurubis Group, which operates globally.
As Aurubis’s life‑cycle partner in power distribution, Insta ensures that investments are carried out at the right time and that the equipment base is maintained systematically, preventing unplanned failures and production downtime.
Improved reliability through predictive maintenance
Maintenance of power distribution equipment requires specialized expertise and is typically outsourced in industrial environments. Aurubis Finland Oy and Insta have collaborated on the life‑cycle maintenance of power distribution systems for many years.
When selecting a partner, Insta Automation’s Life‑Cycle Partner model played a decisive role, as it covers the entire life cycle of power distribution equipment, from maintenance to modernization and renewals.
“In 2014, we were looking for a partner for power distribution maintenance, and Insta was able to offer a broader and more comprehensive operating model than other providers. Working with one partner simplifies everyday operations for both sides,” says Toni Ketonen, Maintenance Engineer and Electrical Works and Operations Manager at Aurubis Finland Oy.
Over the years, the scope of cooperation has expanded significantly. Insta has also been responsible for major upgrades and modernization projects.
“The cooperation has expanded into investments and automation. Today, for example, weekly preventive maintenance is handled by Insta. Carbon brush maintenance is a critical area for us, and it has worked extremely well,” Ketonen continues.
The agreement includes predictive maintenance, scheduled maintenance and optimized renewals to ensure uninterrupted operation of power distribution equipment and to minimize unplanned failures. In addition, the scope covers predictive maintenance and replacement of frequency converters, carbon brush maintenance for DC machines, and management of the carbon brush inventory.
“Power distribution has been running reliably for a long time now. The change compared to the past is significant. Predictive maintenance has eliminated failures, and without power outages or breakdowns, the availability of production machinery has clearly improved,” Ketonen notes.
Structured and smooth cooperation
The cooperation is systematic and transparent. Annual contract meetings cover occupational safety, the status of ongoing maintenance and projects, upcoming work, as well as costs and investments. Each year, approximately 650–1 000 working hours are allocated to maintenance and renewal activities. Insta is committed to continuity: the same familiar professionals regularly work on site at Aurubis.
The dialogue between Ketonen and Mika Salonen, Head of Insta’s Power Distribution Unit, reflects a straightforward and trust‑based partnership.
“The cooperation has worked very well from the beginning, and communication is almost daily. Maintenance and shutdown‑related matters can be agreed directly with Insta’s personnel, which keeps operations smooth,” Ketonen says.
“The one‑stop‑shop model makes everyday life easier for the customer. Time is saved when matters are handled with familiar contacts. Employees who already know the site can work independently according to pre‑planned schedules,” Salonen adds.
Independent work at the customer’s premises requires a high level of trust. For safety reasons, Insta’s employees always report when entering the site, ensuring that everyone’s location is known at all times.
“Insta’s employees always communicate clearly who is coming and when. I know who is on site and where. Cooperation between our teams has worked extremely well, and supervisors are rarely needed in between — which I see as a positive thing,” Ketonen summarizes.
Operations are further supported by Aurubis’s Maximo maintenance management system and Insta’s iNetti asset management system. iNetti contains the complete maintenance documentation for Aurubis’s power distribution equipment, frequency converters and DC motors. In the future, Insta’s maintenance personnel will report working hours directly into Maximo.
“Developing systems together benefits both parties,” Ketonen notes.
A trusted long‑term partner
Safety is a shared core value for both Aurubis and Insta.
“In addition to improving equipment availability, our work has also enhanced personal and operational safety. For example, during medium‑voltage circuit breaker renewals, old oil‑filled breakers have been replaced with vacuum circuit breakers, significantly improving fire safety,” Salonen explains.
The COVID‑19 pandemic introduced additional safety requirements. Ketonen highlights Aurubis’s strict mask policy and praises Insta’s personnel for their compliance.
“We have had to remind some subcontractors about mask use, but we have never had to remind Insta’s people even once.”
Ketonen describes Insta primarily as a reliable partner.
“Insta has proven to be an exceptionally reliable partner. We trust that things are under control, and thanks to the systems, we can always see the current condition of our equipment. Communication is open and straightforward.”
In unexpected situations, such as failures of frequency converters or low‑voltage circuit breakers, spare parts and Insta’s maintenance experts have been quickly available, restoring operations without delay.
“When a real issue occurs, help is available quickly. Production definitely appreciates that,” Ketonen adds.
Insta also receives praise for schedule reliability.
“Predictive maintenance and maintenance schedules have been followed extremely well. Everything that has been agreed has been delivered as planned,” Ketonen emphasizes.
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Life-Cycle Services of Electrical Distribution Equipment