How a European Cable Manufacturer Optimized Production with Primo

Context

Protecting Core Capacity Through Partnership

A European cable manufacturer working in high-volume markets made advanced cable systems for demanding uses. Their main strength was producing complex cables that needed careful process control, strong materials, and high quality standards.
For some cable designs, the company used PP filler rods with a PVC coating to keep the cables round and strong. They bought the PP filler rods from outside suppliers and added the PVC coating themselves before using them in production.
Even though making these filler rods was simpler than making finished cables, they were produced in much lower volumes and added less value than the company’s main products. Over time, management started to wonder if coating and handling the filler rods in-house was the best use of their production resources.

Primo innovating new profile solutions together with customers
Primo welcomes its customers and partners for a discussion around extrusion and developing new plastic profiles
This was not a typical subcontracting deal. Instead, it was a carefully managed transfer of a specific production task.

Dedicated Investment

During the evaluation, it was clear that consistent winding and coil shape were needed for smooth integration into cable production lines. Primo invested in a winding solution designed specifically for this product.
This approach made sure of the following:
  • Controlled tension during winding

  • Consistent coil dimensions

  • Stable handling characteristics

  • Reliable downstream feeding into cable production

Production met the agreed technical requirements and quality standards. The transition was done in stages to keep supply steady.

Results

By working with Primo, the cable manufacturer was able to achieve the following:
  • Released internal production capacity

  • Improved focus on high-value cable systems

  • Reduced planning complexity

  • Increased stability of core production lines

  • Maintained full technical control over product specifications

The PP filler rod with PVC coating stayed the same in terms of function. The main change was in how production was organized. High-capacity internal lines were shifted from making low-value support parts to focusing on products that give the company its competitive edge.
In high-volume industries like cable manufacturing, internal extrusion works best for complex, value-added products. However, not every supporting part fits this approach.
This example shows that working closely with a specialized extrusion partner can boost production efficiency and help protect core capacity.
In this case, outsourcing was not about cutting costs. Instead, it was about focus, keeping operations balanced, and aligning with strategy. Primo acted as a flexible extension of internal production, not as a replacement.

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Janne Mäkisalo
Janne Mäkisalo
Business Development Manager & Key Account Manager

Meet Janne Mäkisalo, our esteemed expert in gutters and profiles for industrial greenhouses and head of the greenhouse team in the Primo Group, serving a large international customer portfolio, besides his sales responsibilities within the windows & doors industry in Primo Finland's sales team. With many years of experience, Janne is your contact person for customised profile solutions. His deep understanding of industrial greenhouse growing ensures tailor-made profiles that optimise plant growth, energy efficiency and productivity in commercial greenhouses.
Speaks: English, Finnish, Swedish





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