Matti Rantala, International Buyer, Ajasto Oy
Times change, they say, but calendars are not losing their charm. In Finland, for example, more calendars are sold every year than the country has inhabitants. Ajasto’s Matti Rantala explains how they make these time pieces so valuable.
A prominent player in the Finnish market for more than a century, Ajasto has evolved to be one of the leading brands in calendars and selected paper products. Ajasto is recognised for its broad selection of products for both consumers and business-to-business clients. Intermedius has been supplying Ajasto with cover materials for more than 40 years.
– The foundation is our ecosystem of professionals and suppliers, who complement each other and, very significantly, exchange ideas for continuous improvement. We bring together makers of light-weight speciality paper, producers of cover materials as well as our versatile team of graphic design, prepress and production and sourcing, Ajasto’s International Buyer Matti Rantala states.
Since 2010, Ajasto has been a part of German family company, Schneider Group, which operates in calendars, stationery, and office supplies. Established in 1946, Schneider Group has a significant market presence in Germany and across Europe. Its European brands include Brunnen, Heyda, Knorr Prandell and Stewo as well as regional brands Ajasto in Finland, Almanacksförlaget in Sweden, Almanakkforlaget in Norway and Timer in the Baltic countries.
Sustainability always in focus
Do you handle your calendar with care? Not always, because it is a practical tool and companion that must be at hand all day. You open it and close it over and over again, drop into your bag and dig it out again. Calendars live a colourful life.
– In order to last and keep looking good for a long time there are high demands for calendar covers. When durability and usability is the target, best cover grades such as Miradur from Intermedius stay smooth, even and scratch-free for a long time, Matti Rantala describes.
– The Nordic climate is another factor that puts pressure on the covers. We may have huge temperature changes – after a workday in nice 20 to 25 degrees in the office, you drive home in a car that has turned into an ice box in minus 30 in the parking lot… Covers must not break, Matti smiles.
In all operations, Ajasto and Intermedius have sustainability as a guideline. The selected materials and processes align with certifications.
– Paper is the best material for notebooks and calendars. Principally, we use paper originating from forests that have FSC or other certification. As for carbon neutral products, emissions are compensated in internationally certified carbon sequestration projects. What is more, an amount of tree seedlings corresponding to the emissions are planted in Finnish carbon sinks, Matti Rantala gives a practical example.
Literally, glue holds us together
The durability of covers greatly depends on matching the right glues with the covers. Intermedius has lots of glue expertise, because it is a part of Kiilto Group, a Finnish family company concentrating on glues and various chemical industry products.
Glue holds the cover and paper contents together – and the solutions must work even if the material mix changes over the years.
– I have learned to trust that Intermedius is always capable of coming up with innovative solutions for our needs in durability and design, Matti Rantala concludes.
Ajasto
Ajasto offers a wide selection of different calendars. In addition, the company’s selection includes notebooks and other paper products. Ajasto is also known for branded calendars and other paper products for b2b customers and associations. Since 2010, Ajasto belongs to the brand portfolio of Schneider Group.