Caminito Oy is a Finnish contract manufacturing company specializing in the production of allergen-free ice creams. In the image, on the left is Caminito's office and quality manager Sari Laakso, and on the right is CEO Sergio Adler at the PLMA trade show in Amsterdam.
Caminito Oy, a Finnish contract manufacturer specializing in allergen-free ice creams, has made an impressive journey from a small ice cream parlor in Kouvola to an international player. Today, the company's competitive edge lies in its completely allergen-free products, including dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and vegan ice creams.
Sari Laakso, the company's office and quality manager, explains how Caminito has become a significant player in the ice cream industry, particularly highlighting how the prestigious BRCGS certification has opened doors to international markets. Laakso also discusses the company's successful collaboration with Bureau Veritas.
From Ice Cream Parlor to International Player
Caminito Oy started as an ice cream parlor in Kouvola in 2008, allowing customers to watch the ice cream production through a panoramic window. The locally-made product soon gained interest from nearby restaurants, leading to deliveries in the Kouvola area and eventually to Helsinki through Heino Tukku (now Valio Aimo).
By 2013, Caminito was operating multiple locations, including a pop-up kiosk at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. This expansion led the company to focus on ice cream production, moving operations to Espoo in specially designed facilities.
Since relocating to Espoo in 2013, Caminito begun producing dairy-free ice creams for Pirkka and Tötterö flavors for the S-Group. The company's growth has continued, with private label products playing an increasingly important role. Recent expansions have added 33% more production space and new equipment, including a pasteurization line, packaging machines, and a freezing tunnel.
Caminito Oy customized its facilities in Espoo to meet its needs as a manufacturer of allergen-free ice creams. The image on the left shows the production line going to the freezing tunnel. On the right side of the image are massive ice cream machines.
Exports Open New Opportunities - BRCGS as a Key Factor
While new production facilities laid the groundwork for exports, obtaining the BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards) certification proved to be a turning point. Laakso explains: "Before BRCGS, we had FSSC certification. We switched to BRCGS at customers' request." She emphasizes the certificate's importance: "For many international customers, BRCGS is an absolute basic criterion. Without it, you can't even get to the negotiating table."
Currently, Caminito exports to Spain and Portugal, with emerging projects in England and potentially Asia.
Collaboration with Bureau Veritas
Caminito has been collaborating with Bureau Veritas for several years. Laakso praises the professionalism and constructive approach of Bureau Veritas auditors: "The work done by the auditors is of very high quality, and they are considerate of companies' realities. Although they are strict, issues are expressed in a very constructive manner."
The smooth cooperation has proved particularly valuable as the company grows and evolves. Laakso appreciates the easy communication, stating, "We get answers to our questions, and the collaboration works excellently."
Importance of Quality and Future Outlook
Laakso emphasizes the significance of quality in the company's operations. Achieving BRCGS certification at A-grade was a major effort for the small family business, but its benefits have been substantial and a source of pride for the entire work community.
"We see that achieving BRCGS certification brings us great advantages, not only in opening export opportunities but also in terms of company development," Laakso continues. "We understood that for our company to develop and get on the continuous improvement boat, BRCGS is an excellent tool."
Caminito's product range aligns well with current food trends, which Laakso sees as a strong foundation for the company. In the future, Caminito plans to continue on its chosen path, focusing on its core competence and continuous improvement in quality work.
Caminito Oy's BRCGS certificate is on display in the company's showroom in Finnoo, Espoo. On the showroom wall, one can spot newspaper articles that chronicle the company's journey from a small ice cream parlor to an international player.
