Görans
“Our electricity contract with Herrfors feels like a true Ostrobothnian handshake. It’s more than just a name on paper.”
GUSTAV GRANHOLM, CEO, GÖRANS
Görans Invests in Heat Recovery and Safe, Green Electricity
It seems people just can’t get enough of kebab. Only two years into operating their new facility, Görans is expanding again. But it’s not just the products that are impressive—Görans’ energy-efficient production plant in Pietarsaari is among the most environmentally friendly in Finland. Here, high-quality fast food is produced without waste
Görans’ cooked and individually frozen meat products are made in a cooled production hall. The heat generated during cooling is collected in a storage tank, where it heats water to 50–60°C. This hot water is then used at night to clean the facility. When employees arrive in the morning, the water temperature has typically dropped to 20–30°C—only to rise again during the day. All excess heat from production is captured and reused.
“We don’t use any fossil fuels for heating. All the energy we need comes from heat recovery. The cooled indoor air is also constantly filtered and renewed. During nightly cleaning, the air gets so humid it must be replaced. We use LED lighting throughout the facility and have installed motion-sensor lighting wherever possible. These may seem like small steps, but they have long-term impact,”
— Evert Granholm, Deputy CEO
-Our new factory is a concrete example of how we invest in modern, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective food production. It has opened many new doors for us. Visitors are often impressed by our processes and want to collaborate. Hygiene standards in food production are strict, and we comply fully,”
Says Gustav Granholm
A generational transition is on the horizon, with Gustav preparing to hand over the reins to his son Evert. Several of Evert’s siblings are also involved in the company in different roles.
“A generational shift is ahead, and it will likely go smoothly. I’ve told the kids not to call me asking: ‘Dad, where do we get meat from?!’”
— Gustav laughs
In-House Meat Cutting Facility
Görans uses as much Finnish meat as possible in its production. However, due to a shortage of domestic beef, the company is building its own meat cutting facility next to the factory. The aim is to begin beef processing by December 2021, which will significantly increase cold storage needs.
“Some meat scraps are turned into dog food, and the rest into biogas. Currently, we use fossil gas in production to reach the 100°C needed for cooking, but we’re planning to transition to biogas,”
— Evert Granholm
Görans uses a process method known as extrusion to produce its kebab. The kebab mix is injected into a nozzle, extruded into 1.6 mm-thick sheets, sliced into trays, then cooked and cooled. The result is cooked and individually frozen kebab—a longtime best-seller.
“These days, we actually sell as much chicken kebab as beef. We started producing chicken products in 2016, and they’ve become very popular.”
No Room for Power Outages
Electricity costs are high at Görans, and uninterrupted supply is absolutely essential. A power outage would shut down cooling, causing temperatures to rise beyond acceptable levels in the meat production area. Downtime simply isn’t an option—and help must always be close at hand.
In spring 2020, Görans began searching for a new electricity provider, prioritizing reliability and predictable pricing. With their new eco-friendly facility, they also wanted renewable energy. By the end of 2020, Görans signed a contract with the local energy company Herrfors. “We spoke with many electricity suppliers. Some talked a lot about green energy, but upon closer inspection, it wasn’t all that green. Herrfors felt the most genuine and offered a competitive fixed-rate contract for three years. Now we have peace of mind—and that’s very valuable to us,”
— Evert Granholm
The collaboration with Herrfors has been seamless. Everything works as it should, and Görans also receives guidance when needed. The next step is to explore the installation of solar panels.
“Herrfors is an old Ostrobothnian company. Signing a contract with Herrfors felt like a true Ostrobothnian handshake. It’s more than just a name on paper. Both parties know what’s been agreed, and that’s what counts. With Herrfors, we can also speak our native language, which makes everything just a bit easier,”
— Gustav Granholm.
About Görans
- Ab Korv-Görans Kebab Oy is a family-owned company founded in Pietarsaari in 1988. Its new production plant opened in summer 2019 in Pedersöre, Pietarsaari.
- The company specializes in cooked and individually frozen meat products and sauces, marketed under the Görans brand. Its flagship product is kebab meat, tailored for various customer segments. The range also includes whole meat and chicken products.
- Sales Channels:
- 30% food industry
- 30% HoReCa sector (hotels, restaurants, catering)
- 30% retail (products available across Finland)
- 10% exports to Sweden and Estonia
- Görans employs 50 full-time and 20 temporary staff. In 2021, revenue approached €18 million. Read more about Görans.
Electricity for Food Production
Görans has noted that more customers want to know how environmentally friendly the production process is. Investments in energy-efficient solutions and renewable energy are increasingly important—even from a sales perspective.
Green electricity, locally produced power, wind or hydropower—what energy sources will move your company forward?
