70 years of arc welding excellence

In 2017, it has been 40 years since the inverter power source was developed. We sat down with Tapani Mäkimaa, an original member of the development team, and discussed what makes Kemppi a pioneer in its field, year after year.

Innovation

Experimenting with different ideas, fast and small, then scaling up boldly and even faster - this is my experience of pioneering after a couple of months as Chief Digital Officer at Kemppi. Experimenting was present at Kemppi already 25 years ago, when we developed a new, numeric way to manage arc characteristics and invented the first digital welding power source in the world.

Innovation

Kari Kemppi, who just retired this summer, has seen in his 40 years of work how an arc welding equipment manufacturing company founded by his uncle Martti Kemppi has become an international pioneer in the welding industry.

People

Welding safety has become increasingly demanding. The hazards at the arc remain constant, but modern working conditions mean exposure can accumulate over longer shifts and in tighter indoor spaces. As a result, welding PPE needs to be treated as both protection for the welder and proof of compliance. At Kemppi, welding safety PPE is designed and validated in practice through clear requirements, welder-led feedback, and verified compliance with EU PPE Regulation 2016/425, CE marking processes, and relevant EN standards.

Safety, Welding ABC

Eurosatory 2026 highlighted a clear shift in modern defence manufacturing. While defence systems are becoming more digital, networked, and autonomous, their foundation remains physical. From armoured vehicles and artillery to industrial resilience, welding quality, steel structures, and production discipline remain paramount to defence readiness.

Digitalization, Innovation

The AITOOLS1 webinar explored how AI-assisted process control, machine vision, synchronized data, and machine learning models are advancing robotic welding automation, improving quality management, traceability, and production flexibility for demanding industrial production.

Welding automation, Innovation, Digitalization