Avant Tecno and Sigma Trukit Partnership Expands from Maintenance to Full-Scale Collaboration
Avant Tecno’s Sami Mansikkala (left) and Sigma Trukit’s Joonas Neva are pleased with the new agreement.
One contract. Over 50 new forklifts with full service. Avant Tecno chose Sigma Trukit as its equipment partner and renewed its entire in-house logistics at the same time.
At the end of 2024, the agreement was signed, further strengthening the partnership between Sigma Trukit and Avant. The Ylöjärvi-based Avant Tecno selected Sigma as the supplier for its forklift fleet. The deal covers more than 50 new forklifts along with maintenance services.
Avant Tecno Oy is a Finnish machine manufacturer specializing in the development and production of high-quality compact loaders, their attachments, and accessories. Founded in 1991, the company has grown into an international player with subsidiaries in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Brazil, as well as a distribution network in over 70 countries.
Avant’s production environment is diverse, requiring efficient internal logistics. The daily operations involve a wide selection of forklifts, including reach trucks, stackers, pallet trucks, various counterbalance forklifts, order pickers, and tow tractors. Different lifting needs and varying tasks demand the use of multiple machine types – all of which Sigma can provide.
From Maintenance Partnership to Comprehensive Collaboration
The deal sealed at the turn of the year was not a stroke of luck or a so-called unicorn for Sigma. Behind it was years of solid cooperation in maintenance, perfectly aligned with Sigma’s operating principle: partnerships are nurtured and carefully maintained.
“When maintenance does a good job year after year, it’s easy to start the discussion when the time comes to renew the fleet,” says Joonas Neva, Sales Manager at Sigma Trukit.
In other words, trust built through well-managed maintenance paved the way for bigger decisions. When Avant’s need to renew its fleet arose, the maintenance partnership evolved into a logistics solution supporting operations and production.
“We had many old forklifts, and the control systems varied from one forklift to another. By renewing the fleet, we gained standardized controls and modern forklifts, which increases safety at the factory,” explains Sami Mansikkala, Avant’s Logistics Development Engineer and Supervisor.
For years, Sigma Service’s Pirkanmaa maintenance team – especially Sigma’s forklift mechanic Aki Tuominen – had been Avant’s first point of contact. The practical customer service was exactly what was needed in a factory environment: fast, reliable, and solution-oriented. This formed the foundation on which the significant fleet renewal could be negotiated with confidence.
Before the renewal, Avant had more than 30 different forklift models in use. This meant varying controls, different spare parts requirements, and complex maintenance. Now the range has been streamlined to nine different machine types – all electric, ergonomic, and mutually compatible.
“Now we can rotate forklifts between departments more effectively and ensure that working hours accumulate evenly across the fleet, since the machines are alike,” Mansikkala points out.
Modern Solutions for Today’s Needs
Under the new agreement, Sigma Trukit delivered electric counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks, and stackers to Avant. The choice was driven by the need to improve safety, standardize user experience, and reduce maintenance requirements.
“Avant took an impressive leap toward sustainable and efficient logistics by moving entirely to electric forklifts. It’s a remarkable step that shows Avant’s forward-thinking mindset and commitment to a modern work environment,” Neva praises.
Sigma also made sure the machines truly fit Avant’s operations, so the customer wouldn’t end up “buying a pig in a poke.”
“We had demo machines on trial before making any decisions. That gave us confidence that the machines work in our production. Of course, some adjustments were needed, but the maintenance response time has been excellent,” says Mansikkala.
This was also an example of customer relationship management through teamwork. The sales team’s expertise combined with the maintenance team’s knowledge of Avant’s daily operations made the fleet selection process smooth. Together, they built a comprehensive understanding of the customer’s needs, which guided the choices already at the demo stage.
Real-Time Fleet Management Through Digitalization
Alongside the new forklifts, Avant also adopted Sigmanet, with the Sigma Fleet system providing a digital overview of the fleet’s status.
“Simply put, Sigma Fleet makes fleet management easier and provides real-time data for the customer,” Neva summarizes.
Real-time data helps monitor utilization, maintenance needs, and optimization opportunities. The benefits will become clearer as the system is integrated into daily operations.
“We expect Sigma Fleet to give us better visibility into our fleet and its use. At the beginning, we’ll need Sigma’s support to get the most out of the system,” Mansikkala explains.
With Sigma Fleet now in use and the new forklifts already in action, the partnership between Sigma Trukit and Avant Tecno continues smoothly. For the past few years, the collaboration has been a textbook example of a successful business relationship. And now – at least for a while – it’s time to let the daily routines roll on.
“This was a major change for us. We’ll let the dust settle for a moment and then, together, we’ll see what we’ll develop next,” Mansikkala concludes.
