JALAS-turvajalkineissa yhdistyvät perintö ja innovointi
Ejendalsin 75-vuotisjuhlavuosi on oivallinen ajankohta pohtia innovoinnin merkitystä, joka on määritellyt yrityksen taivalta.
Keskeinen osa tätä perintöä on JALAS-jalkineiden kehitystiimi. Tapasimme 37-vuotiaan, Aalto-yliopistosta maisteriksi valmistuneen Aino Aarnio-Juurisen, joka on toiminut osana JALAS-brändin innovaatio- ja tutkimustiimiä lähes kolmen vuoden ajan.
Intohimona innovointi
Yksi osa Ainon työtä Ejendalsin innovaatio- ja tutkimusasiantuntijana on turvajalkineiden mahdollisuuksien rajojen venyttäminen. ”Ejendalsilla meitä kannustetaan kokeilemaan ja testaamaan uusia ideoita ja ottamaan niistä opiksi”, Aino kertoo.
Kansainvälinen ja monikulttuurinen ympäristömme edistää toimintojen välistä yhteistyötä ja tarjoaa loputtomia mahdollisuuksia innovatiivisten ratkaisujen tutkimiseen.
Aino Aarnio-Juurinen
Innovation & Research specialist at Ejendals
From Concept to Creation
Aino's primary responsibility is to define and develop new, innovative solutions, materials, and innovative products within the footwear category. This involves researching cutting-edge materials, such as lightweight yet durable textiles, and other components that can replace traditional ones. "Safety footwear is increasingly aligning with the sports industry, utilizing similar materials and technologies. It's exciting to develop these technological products and explore new opportunities."
The influence of sports footwear on safety footwear trends aligns well with JALAS' origins, as the company initially produced shoes for various sports.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
To stay at the forefront of innovation, Aino travels extensively, attending the latest sports, tech, and material fairs and events with other team members. This allows them to gather insights and stay ahead of trends. "Engaging with end users is also crucial," Aino notes.
By understanding the challenges faced by workers, we can identify new opportunities for innovation within safety footwear.
Balancing Safety and Innovation
Innovation in safety footwear requires balancing novel ideas with strict adherence to industry standards and guidelines. "It's not easy to balance novelty and safety," Aino admits.
Solving problems and finding new ways to do things requires extensive testing to evaluate the performance of new solutions. The durability of materials used in safety shoes is crucial. Many materials from the sports industry aren't durable enough for safety footwear. Patience and persistence are key to pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
Sustainable and Bio-Based Materials
Another important aspect is finding sustainable, bio-based or recycled materials for our manufacturing systems. We have great suppliers who have the latest technologies which gives a lot of opportunities for development. Aino also emphasizes the importance of protecting innovations through patents and staying true to JALAS' identity and profound knowledge of ergonomics. We have a great team of different experts and by utilizing everyone’s knowledge and skills, nothing can stop us.
A Legacy of Innovation
As Ejendals marks 75 years of excellence, Aino's work exemplifies the company's commitment to innovation. "The main purpose of innovation is to secure safety by continuously improving the protection and comfort of workers around the globe," she says. "By combining cutting-edge technology, user insights, and sustainability, we create safer and more effective products."
Aino Aarnio-Juurinen’s and the entire footwear team’s dedication to innovation at JALAS is a testament to Ejendals' enduring legacy as a leader in safety footwear. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to the continued innovation that will define our next 75 years.
JALAS - Premium brand by Ejendals
The JALAS® story began in the village of Jokipii, Finland, where design, development, and manufacturing continue to thrive today. When Ejendals acquired JALAS® in 2008, the Ejendals Group was formed, marking the start of a new chapter in the company's legacy.