Temperature control is a critical part of food production — not only for product safety, but also for employee working conditions. Maitokolmio, one of Finland’s most well-known dairy producers, faced a challenge in its large-scale production facilities: rising indoor temperatures were affecting both process efficiency and staff wellbeing.
A trusted Finnish food industry company
Maitokolmio is a 115-year-old Finnish dairy company that produces and processes milk, quark, cream, and other dairy products. The company operates two production plants in the Ostrobothnia region — one in Toholampi and another in Sievi — and is owned by local milk producers. Maitokolmio employs around 100 people.
High temperatures affect productivity and product quality
A lot of heat is generated in Maitokolmio’s production areas — both by the processes and the people working there. Tasks such as pasteurization and packaging significantly raise the ambient temperature. Dozens of employees work in these spaces daily, and excessive heat can impact both ergonomic conditions and the precision required in dairy processing. In food production, air conditioning systems must do more than just cool the space — they must be hygienic, reliable, and deliver clean air.
“It gets very hot in the production area, and high temperatures can also affect product quality. We needed a powerful solution that would also be suitable for a food production environment,” says Anselmi Kinnunen, Maitokolmio’s Maintenance Manager.
HP-60 met every requirement – Now with a HEPA filter
Rex Nordic’s HP-60 air conditioning unit has been in use at Maitokolmio’s facility for about a year. The previous version of the unit proved to be a highly effective solution for cooling large dairy production spaces, and the positive experience led the company to invest in a second unit — this time, the latest model equipped with a HEPA filter.
Thanks to its high cooling capacity, the HP-60 is capable of lowering the temperature across the entire production hall, even though it is primarily designed as a spot cooler.
“The production hall is a large space, and we needed a device with serious cooling power. The HP-60 has fully met our expectations and clearly improved working conditions. The HEPA filter makes it especially well-suited to our type of food production,” Kinnunen notes.
Quick installation – Immediate results
The unit was installed quickly and required no structural changes or complex setup. Within just a few days, a noticeable drop in temperature was observed in the production space, making it easier to work through the hottest process phases. The unit has been a reliable part of daily operations from the start.
HP-60 – Designed for demanding production environments
The HP-60 offers significant advantages for food industry use:
- Powerful cooling to maintain optimal conditions, even in large production areas
- HEPA filter to ensure air cleanliness in hygiene-sensitive environments
- Dehumidification capacity up to 197 liters per day, helping prevent moisture-related issues
- Directed cooling, allowing airflow to be targeted exactly where it’s needed
Proven solution for the confectionery industry as well
The HP-60 has also proven valuable in the confectionery sector, where precise cooling and clean air are essential to sensitive manufacturing processes. Many confectionery products are made from temperature-sensitive ingredients such as chocolate, fats, and fillings that respond quickly to fluctuations in room temperature. Additionally, hygiene requirements in confectionery production are just as strict as in dairy — processes must be clean, controlled, and consistent.
The HP-60’s strong cooling power, HEPA filter, and ability to deliver targeted airflow makes it an excellent choice for such environments. The unit is already in use by several companies in the industry that face similar demands for precise environmental control.
A cost-effective and sustainable choice
One of the key advantages of the HP-60 is its portability and significantly lower cost of implementation compared to fixed air conditioning systems. Installing a permanent solution would have required substantial investment and changes to the facility infrastructure — the HP-60 provided an immediate fix without compromises in performance or hygiene.
In addition, the unit supports Maitokolmio’s commitment to sustainability — its energy-efficient operation helps reduce both emissions and operating costs.