Structo Industry, Estonia’s largest manufacturer of sliding doors and wardrobe systems, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. years of operation. During this time, the company has grown a lot, investing in innovative technologies and digitalisation, and developing new and modern solutions sold under the L-UKS brand.

Agu Linamägi, the CEO of Structo Industry, admits that the key to its success and recognition is the fact that it is the only company in Estonia that focuses exclusively on the production of sliding doors and wardrobe systems. “Our larger competitors also produce a variety of furnishing products, but thanks to our concentration we have been able to develop our products and production processes better and have achieved a leading position in our field in Estonia.”

Thanks to a highly skilled product development team, the company has the widest range of products for slides, glides, turntables and cloakroom systems, whose quality and punctuality are guaranteed by the high level of mechanisation, automation and digitalisation of the factory, even for large volumes.

The company’s main customers are private individuals who want to furnish their homes with furniture designed just for them. Its customers are also real estate developers and entrepreneurs who, in cooperation with architects and interior designers, use L-UKS products in home and office projects. Customers value the solutions offered by dealers and designers, as well as the quality of the products and the reliability of delivery, and they value the professional installation service. The demanding and trend-conscious customer wants a unique product, a functional and well thought-out solution, quality service and a personal approach.

New design programme speeds up production and reduces misunderstandings

“Together with our good partners – the dealers – we have found many new modern and attractive solutions. Front wardrobes with accessories, such as mirror solutions, decorative walls, seat cushions and LED lighting recessed into shelves, ceilings and cupboard walls are very popular,” says Linamägi.

The bedroom wardrobe and dressing room collections offer accessories in a range of prices, colours and designs in the form of baskets, coat hooks, drawers, jewellery racks, chests of drawers, glass shelves, fluorescent shelves and pull-out shelves. Gap and turn solutions have been well received by customers, and there is growing interest in aluminium-framed tinted or chandeliered gaps and turns.

“Over the past five years, our product collection has grown considerably,” says Linamägi. “It’s a pleasure that thanks to a good team we have reached the next level in custom furniture production. With the introduction of the design programme at dealers, the products on offer are more understandable to the customer and give a better perception. The new programme also prevents misunderstandings between dealers and manufacturers and speeds up production. Faster and more efficient handling of orders will ensure greater flexibility for different production volumes.”

2021. In 2007, more than €800 000 was invested in new equipment, the largest investment in a single year in the company’s 20-year history. This is why the programme for full digitisation and automation has progressed strongly. “This was immediately visible in the financial results for 2022, when we achieved the highest turnover and profit in our history,” says Linamägi.

Last year, the company invested in software to increase the export experience of Estonian sellers. In cooperation with the Finnish parent company, new products are developed for export, offering the same opportunities to Estonian customers. The digital production project is also being further developed, with the acquisition of a slab slitting centre planned for later this year.

The recession leaves no one untouched

Unfortunately, the economy has a way of rising and falling, and Structo Industry was not immune to this. “Due to the severe downturn in the export market and the decline in domestic demand, we had to make redundancies last year and let go of several good and experienced employees,” says the CEO. “It was very sad to tell a loyal employee who had worked for the company for 17 years that, unfortunately, there was no more work for him. It feels like a betrayal. And when our production increases again, we will have to find new good people, but it takes a lot more time to train them in bespoke production than in standard production.”

Structo Industry employs 47 full-time staff. The average length of service of the workforce is more than ten years and labour turnover is low. “As our production volumes vary from product to product, the worker has to learn as many operations as possible. That’s why full training takes years, and we’re pleased when people stay. The company is doing well, thanks to a capable team. It’s nice when employees enjoy their work and are rewarded accordingly.” Linamägi continues.

He adds that improving working conditions is very important. “Our aim is that employees are not too tired after a day’s work, can devote time to their family and hobbies, and are happy to come back to work the next day. We try to pay a motivating salary and, if the company is doing well, employees also receive a half-yearly bonus. Together, we organise joint events, and the company’s 20th birthday will certainly be celebrated in style. Thanks to all our dealers, partners, customers and of course our team!”

From start-up to real products in just a few months

Structo Industry was born from the long experience of CEO Agu Linamäe, who has been working in sliding door and wardrobe manufacturing companies since 1996. and collaborated with a Finnish company in the same field, OY Stirpe AB. 2003. In 2005, Stig Björses, the owner of Stirpe, proposed the establishment of a joint production company in Estonia and in 19. On 1 April 2004, it was established. In the same year, an old abandoned granary near Keila in Lehola was bought, renovated in a few months and the production of sliding doors began. 2010. Since 2001, the brand name L-UKS, which is derived from the word for sliding door, is known in Estonia and emphasises long experience, product quality, sense of style, luxurious ease of use, simplicity and correctness.