Finnish quality for skies around the globe

In Finland, quality isn’t just a goal. It’s a way of doing things. For SNT Group, this mindset drives the design and manufacture of world-class aircraft textiles. From traceability and sustainability to on-time delivery, every detail reflects the Finnish ethos of reliability and responsibility.

When it comes to aerospace products, quality is at the heart of everything. Carpets and other textiles are subject to the same quality requirements as jet engine manufacturers.

“When we talk about quality, we always talk about aircraft quality. Style, comfort and safety must meet the criteria of the aviation industry,” says Kari Talja, SNT Group’s Aviation Director.

The importance of reliability
In addition to the finest design and quality, punctuality is also important. SNT regularly audits its own production internally. Every detail is taken care of, and the necessary measures are a natural part of the process. Kari says it’s part of the Finnish mentality.

“For us, it’s obvious that aircraft maintenance must be completed on the agreed day and that everything must be in place so the plane is able to fly. Otherwise, the financial loss to our customers is huge,” Kari admits. “The basis of Finnish quality is that we trust each other and we can be trusted. This also gives our customers more confidence.” 

Reliability of supply is ensured by the ability to store customer materials on our own premises. This means that SNT Group is not dependent on the delivery times of the weavers, but can start projects quickly after ordering. 

“We design and manufacture our textiles here in Tampere, Finland, so we can stand behind both quality and deadlines. Our long experience also contributes to our security of supply. We can reliably calculate delivery times and never promise our customers what we can’t keep. That’s the Finnish way,” Kari assures.

High profile partnerships
SNT Group’s position on the top of Finnish aviation design is, of course, also based on long-term partnerships. 

“Finnair, a nationally and internationally renowned airline, has relied on our products for more than 20 years. This shows that we have been able to serve them with a wide range of needs,” says Kari. “We have also been working with the Finnish Air Force for more than 15 years. Especially recently, we have been able to supply them with a lot of materials that were previously purchased from abroad in the name of security of supply.”

The successful partnership with Finnair has also strengthened the reputation of SNT Group among major European airlines. Over the past 1.5 years, the company has focused heavily on international markets and currently has more than ten projects with foreign airlines.

“We are negotiating with Etihad and Airbus, among others,” Kari reveals. “So internationalization has shown that there is a demand for Finnish design and expertise.”

Nordic sustainability
The future of aviation cannot be discussed without talking about sustainability.

“Responsibility is built into the Finnish way of doing things,” Kari states. “We adhere to Finnish working hours and health and safety laws, which automatically meet the international sustainability criteria for manufacturing. Most of the materials we use are made in Europe or America and are always sourced from trusted manufacturers.”

Ensuring accurate product traceability is also a daily part of SNT’s production.

“Responsibility and traceability are not only competitive advantages, they are required of all manufacturers. The fabrics we use can be traced in such detail that the sheep that the yarn came from can be traced back to the field where it ate,” concludes Kari.

Want to know more about high-quality aircraft textiles made in Finland? Contact us!