Porokylä Bakery & Ki-Sal Oy: 15 Years of Smooth Cooperation

Porokylä Bakery is a Finnish family business that has been baking treats for Finnish homes since 1983. The main bakery is located in Nurmes, and gluten-free products are made at the Kevätniemi facility in Lieksa. The company also has a new production facility on Kerantie in Lieksa, as well as bakery shops in Joensuu and Kouvola. Porokylä is especially known for its rye bread and gluten-free bakery products. The company employs around 190 people and serves customers throughout Finland.

Porokylä Bakery is one of Ki-Sal’s longest-standing clients. Their collaboration has lasted for over 15 years and originally began through active sales efforts. According to Logistics Manager Mika Peiponen, the presence of a sales representative and face-to-face communication have been important elements of the effective cooperation.

“It’s important to me that the salesperson visits in person. When matters are discussed face-to-face, they are handled quickly and directly. It builds trust,” says Peiponen.

Ki-Sal supplies Porokylä with, among other things, oven-safe baking moulds and customized specialty packaging, such as pulla wreath moulds finished in brand colors. These packages are used not only for pulla wreaths but also, for example, for braided sweet loaves. Some products are delivered directly from the factory to Porokylä – saving time and transport, and benefiting the environment.

In the collaboration, Mika especially appreciates reliability of deliveries, quick responses, and a solution-oriented approach.

“If we need a new product, Ki-Sal immediately takes action. And if something isn’t possible, they say it straight. That kind of integrity is important to us,” Mika emphasizes.

Sustainability aspects also play a role. For Porokylä, it is important that the partner operates reliably and responsibly. With Ki-Sal, this is the case – and direct deliveries from the factory also support sustainable operations.

In conversation, Mika describes the collaboration as “effortless and good-spirited.” Ki-Sal operates flexibly, and personal chemistry works well. Things get done even when constant contact isn’t needed.

“There’s no need to call or check on everything. When something is needed, the wheels start turning immediately. That says a lot about the shared rhythm we have,” Mika notes.

The future looks bright at Porokylä. Modern production facilities enable the development of new products, and it’s easy to find the right packaging for them together with Ki-Sal. When your partner already knows your needs, cooperation will continue to run smoothly.

“We’ve got a good buzz going. That’s surprisingly valuable these days,” Mika concludes.