From tin plates to the top of camera repair
The roots of JAS Tekniikka go back to the early 1990s. Over the years, it has grown from a one-man workshop into a company with nearly 40 skilled professionals. Many things have changed along the way, yet much of the original spirit remains—such as a respect for craftsmanship—and, of course, the name, whose meaning has often been asked about.
"I knew from the start that my business would be connected to technology in one way or another. I believed in the quality of my work from the very beginning and decided to guarantee it with my own name,”says the owner and founder, Juha Antero Saviluoto.
In fact, Saviluoto’s history with camera repair goes far beyond the company’s founding in 1992. He worked on cameras in the service of an importer from 1975 all the way through the 1990s. As a young man, he also had the energy to pursue many other interests.
""In the evenings, I would show movies while reading the latest repair manuals at the same time, which allowed me to get into real hands-on work more quickly during the day. I also combined my craftsmanship and technical skills by making tools for dentists in the evenings. At that time, the metal instruments were crafted entirely by hand, with full respect for quality."
Saviluoto trained as a precision mechanic. His grades in metalwork, machinery, and electrical studies were top-notch, and as a highly motivated student, he often mastered techniques better than his teachers. His boundless curiosity for the fascinating world of technology also gave rise to his business idea.
""My friend and I made unique tin plates using an etching method I had developed, and from that grew the idea to become an entrepreneur. I originally founded the sole proprietorship JAS Tekniikka to produce and market these tin plates."
Saviluoto had long been interested in entrepreneurship, as he wanted the freedom to pursue his own ideas. That dream quickly became a reality when his long-term position in the importer’s camera service came to an end due to corporate restructuring.
"I didn’t end up unemployed, because I had already set up the sole proprietorship. However, making tin plates quickly took a back seat, as the plans of the friend who had agreed to become a business partner changed."
To secure his livelihood as a full-time entrepreneur, Saviluoto leveraged the connections he had built in his previous job and obtained the service rights for Canon video cameras. He bought his first tools from his former employer, and the workspace he had used for making tin plates was already available.
The word about an independent and impartial camera repair shop spread by word of mouth: gradually, work on brands and devices beyond Canon began to accumulate. This was the beginning of the story of JAS Tekniikka, which today is known as Finland’s highest-quality camera service.
Building Finland’s Largest Camera Repair Service
For several years, JAS Tekniikka operated entirely as a one-man shop. Saviluoto handled everything himself from start to finish: answering the phone, ordering spare parts, performing repairs, and at the end of the day, taking care of paperwork and delivering the equipment.
The pace of work was incredible—Saviluoto handled an average of 25 repairs a day. In 1997, he began to reflect on the value of his own work and the future of the company.
"I realized that I had built a great company, but in practice, all of its value was tied to me. That’s when the idea of hiring staff, multiplying expertise, and increasing the company’s value through its operations began to take shape."
The first employee was found close to home: in 2000, Saviluoto hired the neighbor’s son, who had been passionate about technology his entire life, as a service technician.
""He still works with us today and, through his work, has grown into a top expert in the most demanding professional equipment.""
JAS Tekniikka’s first premises were located on Puistokatu in Turku. They measured 53 square meters—almost ten times smaller than the current facilities on Maariankatu. The company experienced its first major growth spurt in 2002.
""Canon decided to outsource its service operations in Finland and turned to JAS Tekniikka. I accepted the offer, and suddenly the easygoing life of a small business owner was over,” Saviluoto laughs.
With the contract signed with Canon, 13 Canon service technicians joined JAS Tekniikka, and the company needed to find premises in Helsinki as well. It was a funny coincidence that Helsinki’s first location was also on Puistokatu.
In 2005, JAS Tekniikka acquired Nikon’s service operations in Finland, and shortly afterward, the camera service of Perkko Oy, which expanded the range of brands they serviced to include Samsung and Pentax. Since then, JAS Tekniikka has renewed service agreements directly with equipment manufacturers and added even more brands to its portfolio. At the same time, the number of employees has grown, and operations have been moved to increasingly larger premises.
Modern equipment with future-ready design
Everyone who knows Juha Saviluoto knows that there are certain things he never compromises on. From the very beginning, JAS Tekniikka has used the newest and most modern tools in the industry. Workstations are kept in top condition, and the company stays one step ahead of others in information technology.
"I was probably considered crazy when, as a one-man shop, I invested huge sums in an enterprise resource planning system that was normally used by large companies employing hundreds of people. But I realized that if I wanted to focus on developing the repair operations, everything else had to be managed as efficiently as possible."
Gradually, Saviluoto began to form a clear understanding of the direction the industry was heading and the demands the future would bring. In hindsight, he has been able to congratulate himself on making the right decisions, as his vision has come to fruition.
An efficient enterprise resource planning system has, in part, made it possible to process nearly 30,000 repairs annually in accordance with the strict and ever-increasing requirements of equipment manufacturers. The system has also kept JAS Tekniikka competitive as reporting demands from international manufacturers have grown. At the same time, unfortunately, many small repair shops have had to close their doors.
"Professional skill alone is simply no longer enough. The range of equipment is evolving at a rapid pace, which means constant investment in tools. The challenge is compounded by the fact that each manufacturer has its own systems.."
JAS Tekniikka has also been a pioneer in service technology. As the digital age took over the camera market, JAS Tekniikka was the only independent service company in Finland capable of repairing digital cameras.
A success story wouldn’t be possible without a clear vision of the industry and its future. Developing that vision, in turn, requires genuine enthusiasm.
"My interest in technology is boundless. I read extensively about the field and attend international trade fairs to get a sense of the opportunities the future may bring. Then it’s simply a matter of taking action."
Juha Saviluoto is a visionary and an ideas machine, yet his feet remain firmly planted in the clay of Southwest Finland. In addition to his strong professional expertise, the staff values his presence and involvement in their everyday work.
"I’m still hands-on with camera repairs, and I have to admit—those are the moments I enjoy the most." Saviluoto says.