Rautia Alavus is Rautia store of the year and Tikkurila is Rautia's supplier of the year

Rautia Alavus, Aki Saarinen Oy, of Alavus was chosen the Rautia Chain Store of the Year 2003 and Tikkurila Paints Oy of Vantaa the chain’s Supplier of the Year. The selections were published at Rautakesko’s advance purchasing meeting in Tampere on Saturday.

In the selection of the Chain Store of the Year, Rautia Alavus was given high marks in the following areas: customer satisfaction, staff’s job satisfaction, store sales and development, and the implementation of the chain concept. The diploma was received by retailer couple Aki and Marita Saarinen and Store Manager Pasi Ahola.

Tikkurila Paints Oy, the Supplier of the Year, manufactures paints, varnishes and wood finishes for consumers sekä professional customers with the experience of over 140 years. Tikkurila’s strengths include a wide product range, strong product development, commitment to the environment, versatile customer training and consulting services. The diploma was received by President Jarmo Mäenpää.

The Rautia chain consists of 102 stores in Finland. The chain’s sales, tax included, totalled EUR 367 million in 2002. The chain employs about 1,000 persons.