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Kiiltostrengthensits position

in Russia

New Kiilto products

Kiilto givesboost to theFinnishAlpineSki team

Tips forclean

indoor air

KIILTO OY CUSTOMER MAGAZINE 2007ENGLISH SUMMARY

Kiilto strengthens its positionin the Russian marketKiilto goes domestic in Russia. Kiilto has been in the Russian market for over 12 years, but now Kiilto is launching an own production plant there, in Kaluga province. Th is new plant is to produce Kiilto-products for the ever growing Russian and CIS markets.

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We meet Satu Siltanen, the local project manager, in her new work-

ing location in Kaluga province. She is now living and working in the city of Malojaro-slavets – the city where the fi rst Russian Kiilto production plant, Kiilto Kaluga, is to be built.

– Dry mix production will start as soon as the plant is completed in the beginning of 2008. We will be having all the work-force, the energy and the raw materials we need here in Kaluga. Transport facilities are good; we are located by Moscow - Kio-va highway, 120 km from Moscow.

Is Kiilto a well-known brand in Russia? We are known as a reliable partner par-

ticularly in the northwest of Russia and in Ukraine. Businesses in our industry come in all sizes here. Th e units are expected to

expand in the coming years, and this means that quality will become more crucial fac-tor than price.

– Doing business here is most challeng-ing, but I think that no situation comes to me as a shock anymore. Here goes the say-ing: Even if nothing is working here, every-thing will turn out well in the end.

Satu Siltanen left to Kaluga alone and is still the only Finn from Kiilto Oy there for the time being. Th e personnel recruit-ment is in process.

– During the construction and launch-ing we will be only two or three here. Lat-er, in the fi rst production phase we will be having 30-40 employees in all.

Th e current Kiilto premises are 1,5 km away from the plant to be built. Malojaro-slavets is a minor city with 30 000 inhabit-ants, like Nokia.

– We strongly believe that we, here in Russia, succeed in producing as high-quality products as in Finland. Th is means naturally that the personnel is taught well from the very beginning and an eff ective quality control is arranged.

Satu Siltanen is careful, but determined when breaking down the Finnish

preju dices against the Russian methods. – We have a lot of keen and intelligent

young people here, who appreciate highly good job and quality. After all, I must say that the most charming thing here is the people. It is "the Th ing" in Russia that at-tracts me most. And the common attitude – you do not always have to look so seri-ous and frowned.

What do you think of your new work? – I have been working in Kiilto Oy for

12,5 years now. At this point I really want-ed this new assignment. It is most interest-ing: it is demanding, but gratifying.

– I live in Russia now. I fi nd it pleasing to live here and lead an ordinary everyday life here. And of course, it is important to

be on the spot when the actual business starts.

Kiilto Oy's future in Russia and the whole CIS-area looks very bright.

It is a result of persistent work in the fast growing market. Th e fi rst Russian Kiilto subsidiary was established in 1995. It has survived many problems, eg. the economi-cal downfall in Russia in 1998. Th e build-ing and construction industry is an ever growing business in Russia and no signs of decline are in sight.

Quality consciousness and paying capacityArto Kasanen, the CIS Country Man-ager, has personal experience on the spe-cial business characteristics in the CIS area for over 12 years time. He was establishing the fi rst Russian Kiil to subsidi-ary in 1995.

– Th e de-mand is grow-ing rapidly and the raw mate-rial availabil-ity is on a sat-isfactory level. After all, when compared to other continents, the CIS is an easy business area for us. Quality con-sciousness and paying capacity are becom-ing more and more important. A new mid-dle class wants apartments of high quality and buying power is growing rapidly. Th is is the thing that the building business can rely on when investing in new projects.

Despite of all the problems, Russia is an intelligible and a good business environ-ment. Our sales organisation has estab-lished a fi rm foothold in the main Russian markets. Th is a perfect position to con-tinue our work!

Arto Kasanen

Satu Siltanen

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Good indoor air is free from dust, odour, draught and noise. Th e home air qual-

ity corresponds usually with the quality of other home constructions, ventilation and heaters, but air can be cleaned easily by tak-ing care of the everyday cleaning. Everyone enjoys dustless and clean home – clean in-door air is an important part of everyday life for an allergic person.

– Every other Finn is aff ected by aller-gic symptoms at some point in his/her life. Symptoms might be relieved when impu-rities such as cigarette smoke, animal dan-der and room dust are eliminated. Basically pets are not recommended, if they make the nose run. Room dust stays away by cleaning the home once a week, says Niki Alanko from the Finnish Allergy and Asthma Fed-eration.

Appropriate cleaning tools, methods and detergent ensure a clean result. When buying a vacuum cleaner, take the one with an effi cient Hepa-fi lter (High Effi ciency

Particulate Air). Do not vacuum in haste: steady, diagonal moves remove the dust best. Finish the job by wiping the surfaces with a damp microfi ber cloth and wash it in the washing machine after every use. Keep the windows open during the cleaning and let the fresh outdoor air in.

– In order to keep the indoor air clean, keep books and decorations in shelves with doors and invest on allergy-friendly, dust re-sistant textiles.

Anti-Allergen HomeCleaners by KiiltoClean OyIf the surfaces are cleaned regularly, the de-tergents need not to be strong enough to "blow away" the impurities. Strong deter-gents can damage the surface, irritate the skin and cause respiratory distress. "Choose fragrance-free, neutral cleaners", suggests Niki Alanko, who is responsible for grant-ing the Finnish Allergy and Asthma Feder-ation allergy label. Products with the label

do not contain any sensitizing or irritating ingredients. Th e Finnish Allergy and Asth-ma Federation has granted the label for over 600 Finnish products after strict criteria.

Th e suggestion of a new, anti-allergen product line came from the Finnish Allergy and Asthma Federation. "Consumers were inquiring after cleaners suitable for allergy suff erers. We contacted KiiltoClean Oy and asked whether they were interested in de-veloping a new, anti-allergen product line. And luckily they were! Kiilto Airi -prod-ucts do not contain any colouring agents or fragrances. And some of the products do not even contain preservatives. On this ac-count, Airi-products can be recommended to allergic people.

Kiilto Airi -product line includes Airi Home Cleaner spray and concentrate, Kiilto Airi Floor Cleaner and Kiilto Airi Window Cleaner. Th e concentrate is suitable espe-cially for cleaning bathrooms.

Tips for clean indoor air

Take care of indoor air quality

• keep the home cleanand fresh

• ensure that every room hasa working ventilation valve

• ideal room temperatureis 21-22 C

Text Virve Järvinen

Environment

KIILTO BUILDING

Kiilto Fine Mortar S06

is a traditional, fi ne cement mortar with good weather-proof properties. Th e prod-uct is suitable for repairing concrete surfaces when the layer thickness is between 3 to 10 mm. In favourable con-ditions the mortar achieves 70–80 % of its fi nal strength within a week, and the moulds can be removed. Th e fi nal strength is achieved within 4 weeks. Size: 25 kg bag.

Kiilto Cement Mortar S 30 is a traditional, frost resistant mortar with good strength and durability. Th e maximum aggregate size is 4 mm. Grade of concrete is C 30. Suitable for minor surface castings and repairs where the layer thickness is between 10 to 50 mm. Typical application targets are repairs of concrete structures and castings, grouting of concrete panels, fl oor screeding work eg. falls in wet room areas, pavements. Th e fi nal strength is achieved within 4 weeks. Size: 25 kg bag.

Kiilto Dry Concrete S 100

is a traditional, frost resistant dry con-crete that is available in bags. Th e maxi-mum aggregate size is 10 mm. Th e prod-

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The Kiilto Academy was established in 2003 in order to train the local

Kiilto sales staff of building materials in Kiilto Oy's export countries. Th e fo-cus is to strengthen the local technical knowledge and the ability to cope with in the constantly changing markets. In addition to current members Russia and the Baltic Countries, Sweden, Po-land and Ukraine will be joining to the Kiilto Academy in 2008.

In the Academy, all technical sub-jects are covered in depth, even in an "academic" manner. After all, the train-ers are top R&D experts from Kiilto Oy. Th e participants engage themselves often in very fruitful conversations. Th e lesson usually fo cuses on one product at a time, which is then discussed in more detail.

Th e Academy has also local teach-ing assistance: every new sales person

in Kiilto Oy attends to the so called el-ementary course on building materials and the teachers in these courses are lo-cal technical sales representatives and product managers.

Once a year the members of the Academy gather for coeducational sem-inar to swap opinions and work experi-ences. Th is year they are having a Floor and Wall -semi nar for the fi rst time. Apart from trainees, these seminars have also off ered the trainers a lot: Meeting with diff erent people and diff erent cul-tures are surely to broaden their minds, increase knowledge and make it easi er to develop the training system further.

On behalf of the training team ofthe Kiilto Academy

"Headmaster" Jyrki Pajunen

Th e Kiilto Academy

A piece of knowledge is one of the few things on earth that you can pass on to another person

without losing it yourself.

New Kiilto Products

Employees from the Kiilto subsidiaries attented the Kiilto Academy onOctober 31, 2007. Headmaster Jyrki Pajunen starts the practical training bydistributing the work.

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Kiilto Parquet Putty

is a wood-coloured fast drying special putty for fi lling gaps in parquet or wooden fl oors prior to coating the fl oors with fl oor seal-ers. Kiilto Parquet Putty is available in oak, birch, beech and merbau. Drying time is 15–30 min, wide gaps 24 h. Sizes: 1 l and 10 l plastic container.

Kiilto D4

is a weatherproof wood adhesive for interior and exterior use. It has high thermal resistance and is suitable, among other things, for terrace furniture glueings. Size: 3/4 l .

Kiilto LF

is a fi ne, ready-to-use plaster with light weight fi ller for walls and roofs in dry interiors. It is suit-able for smoothing sur-faces to be painted and/or wallpapered and for fi lling plasterboard joints. Kiilto LF is white, layer thickness max 2 mm and drying time ca. 24 hours. Sizes: 3 l and 10 l.

Kiilto LG

is a coarse, ready-to-use plaster with light weight fi ller for walls and roofs in dry interiors. It suits well for fi lling gaps and for smoothing concrete and rendering surfaces. Suitable also for fi ll-ing cut edges of gypsum plate boards. Kiilto LG is grey and recommended layer thick-ness is 1–3 mm for smoothing and max. 30 mm for fi lling holes. Drying time is 1–3 days depending on the layer thickness. Sizes: 3 l and 10 l .

Kiilto Parquet Seal

is a high-grade, 1-component seal-ant for parquet, laminate and wooden fl oors. It is suitable for fi lling and seal-ing gaps, holes and joints in parquet, laminate and wooden fl oors. Kiilto Parquet Seal is available in oak light, oak medium, birch and merbau. Th e sealant can be sanded after 24 h and fi nished with paint or lacquer (test the suitability of the paint or lacquer before applying). Size: 310 ml cartridge.

Kiilto Joint Mortar

has a new, improved for-mula. Kiilto Joint Mortar is a cement-based mor-tar for jointing ceramic wall and fl oor tiles. Th e new Joint Mortar is dens-er than the former product and resists dirt and water better. It is also easier to stir and apply. Wait a minimum of 24 hours before allowing the surface to be walked on. Kiil-to Joint Mortar has two new colours, sand brown (nro 28) and coal grey (nro 48). Siz-es: 1 kg, 3 kg and 10 kg plastic container and 20 kg sack. M1.

Maxirapid

has an improved formula. Maxirapid is a fast setting cement-based screed for fl oors, fi lling and patch-ing of cavities and mak-ing slopes. For interior and exterior use. Th e new Maxirapid rec-ommends two diff erent water amounts for mixing: mixture with maximum amount of water is for levelling work and mixture with minimum amount of water is for making falls and fi llings. Th e second improvement is the smaller aggregate size, so the layer thick-ness with the new Maxirapid is 1–40mm. Walk-on time ca. 1 h. Coverage 1,5 kg/m2

per mm. Size: 20 kg bag.

uct is designed for minor cast-ings in building construction. Suitable application targets are plinths and foundations, steps, fl oors and pavements. Th e fi nal strength and pack-ing as above.

Pro Plan Base

is a pumpable levelling screed for indoor concrete fl oors pri-or to fi nal smoothing or at-taching the fl oorcovering. Rec-ommended layer thicknesses are 8–50 mm. Walk-on time ca. 5 hours, apply fl oorcover-ing within 1–2 weeks depending on the conditions. Used for homes, offi ces or oth-er public premises. Suitable for underfl oor heating. Coverage 1,8kg/m2 per mm. Size: 25 kg bag.

Pro Plan Universal

is a pumpable, self-levelling fl oor screed for smoothing out interior concrete fl oors before applying the fl oorcovering. Recommended layer thick-nesses are 4–30 mm. Walk-on time ca. 8 hours, apply fl oorcovering within 2 weeks depending on the conditions. Coverage 1,6 kg/m2 per mm. Size 25 kg bag.

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Kiilto Oy gives boostto the Finnish Alpine Ski team

Text Riitta Nikkola Photos Sami Helenius

The cooperation with Kiilto Oy and the Finnish Alpine Ski Team got off

the ground energetically when the offi cial team visited Kiilto chemical plant in Lem-päälä for the fi rst time. Th e experience was new for both of the parties and this kind of face-to-face meeting was considered most important and pleasant. Kiilto staff hit it off with the alpinists straight away and every-one was all smiles during the visit!

Reino Kuusela, one of the Kiilto hosts, led the way for the curious and good-hu-moured lot to the new Kiilto Dry Mix Plant. Visitors were interested, among oth-ers, in the quantities of dispatched prod-ucts, and the fully automatic mixing and control systems.

Th en the chatty group was brought in-to the nucleus of the Kiilto adhesive, Kiilto Polymerization plant. Th ere the visitors found out how dispersion, the basic raw

material of adhesive, is produced. Th e pu-rity of the polymerization process and the quantity of water-dilutable adhesives im-pressed these young athletes. "We really must say that chemistry is interesting", they commented.

Now it was time to visit the actual ad-hesive plant. Everybody had to wear safe-ty glasses, which are, in a funny way, very similar to ski goggles! Th e visitors were sur-prised that the glue was so thick and had almost no odour at all. Th en the group got familiar with the quality control procedures and watched the packing process. Th e tour fi nished with a visit to the product ware-house and the dispatch department.

Th e tour was so full of information that everyone in the group can say in earnest: Now we know what Kiilto is!

– I knew Kiilto household cleaners and the Kiilto jingle before, but everything else was new to me. A new sponsor is always a great thing, said Tanja Poutiainen. Th e number one Finnish female alpine skier told that she plans to study economics in the future, but skiing and competing are in-tegral parts of the life now and will be also in the future.

Kalle Palander had previous experience on plant visits, but as he said, he had not seen such a multifaceted plant before.

– It is interesting to see what our spon-sors really do. Th e mere name "Kiilto" gets a meaning, smiles Kalle and shakes an adhe-sive bottle. He will devote himself to skiing completely at least for the next three years, and aims to the Olympic Games. – After the Olympics it is time for something else, which could be related to sports someway or another.

– I am interested in sports marketing, as well as working as a sports manager.

Jessica Honkanen, an 18-year-old high-school student and one our promising skier talents, thought that the visit was really in-teresting. Jenni has her second season in the Europe Cup and aims to the second round in the World Cup.

In addition to Tanja, Kalle and Marcus

Kalle Palander

Sandell, Sanni Lei-nonen was selected for the World Cup as well. She was showing good per-for mances last sea-son. She thinks that being in the team is not a target itself, but gives a chance to win through. And since alpine skiing is an individual sport, it is the individ-ual performance that counts.

– As an indi-vidual sport alpine skiing is unique, since we usually appear as a team, defi ned Tiia-Maria Romar.

Tuukka Kauko-niemi told that even though the team this year is bigger than ever, it is also closer than ever.

– We have a great sense of team sprit! Even though we com-pete as individuals, we spur on our teammates to better perform-ances.

Th is can tru-ly be sensed al-so during the visit. It is easy to foretell suc-cess for this ambi-tious team!

Marcus Sandell

Jessica Honkanen

Tiia-Maria Romar and Tuukka Kaukoniemi

Sanni Leinonen

Tanja Poutiainen

Happy Finnish Alpine Ski team in Lempäälä.