New sale on the U.S. market for Finnish TT Gaskets
After a lot of preparation, TT Gaskets has secured a new agreement with a leading global player in the mining and construction industry in the U.S. Midwest. With initial deliveries already completed and further collaboration underway, the deal marks an important step in the company’s North American expansion – supported by strategic groundwork, strong local connections, and the Bridging4Growth program.
We spoke to Petri Lehtinen, Business Director, at TT Gaskets about their journey, their preparation for entering the U.S. market, and the role Bridging4Growth has played in their expansion.
Congratulations on your new deal! Can you tell us a bit about TT Gaskets and the new contract?
TT Gaskets is a third-generation, family-owned business founded in 1943. Our headquarters is located in Finland, with subsidiaries in Sweden (TT Gaskets Sweden AB), Germany (TT Dichtungstechnik GmbH), and the USA (TT Gaskets North America Inc.). TT Gaskets manufactures gaskets, seals, shims, insulation, and other cut parts made from metallic, rubber, and cellular rubber materials. Currently, our stock includes a total of 3,500 different raw materials. Our company invests heavily in its employees, production machinery, sustainable manufacturing, IT systems (ERP and MES), and global growth — particularly in the Nordic countries, Central Europe, and North America.
We have recently established a new agreement in the Midwest U.S. with a leading global company in the mining and construction industry. The initial delivery was completed in January 2025, followed by several subsequent deliveries throughout the year. This agreement presents substantial opportunities for future growth and collaboration. Currently, the main products are high-end metallic parts, and initial discussions regarding cut rubber parts are ongoing. We are in the process of analyzing the full potential and technical requirements and expect to enter into commercial discussions in early spring 2026.
We know that piercing into a new market can be hard. How did you prepare for the new market?
At TT Gaskets, we always maintain a strong focus on our strategic goals, and the North American market has certainly been one of our key objectives in recent years. Since the summer of 2023, we have conducted three market studies using different approaches. The first focused primarily on establishing a legal entity in the U.S.; the second on market penetration; and the third on aligning all aspects—establishing the subsidiary, entering the market, adopting local best practices for hiring the right talent, and connecting with relevant stakeholders such as banks, insurance companies, marketing agencies, and law and accounting firms.
How did the Bridging4Growth program support you?
The Bridging4Growth program specifically helped us connect with external, relevant stakeholders. One of the major benefits of the program was the opportunity to work and travel in North America with the delegations. Without the program, it would have been extremely time-consuming to connect with the companies and people we met through our participation. The success of the program owes much to the team leader and mentor—Yi Tang and Eric Butterwick—both of whom have been truly amazing. We greatly appreciate that the connection has remained strong even though the program has ended for now. We continue to chat with Yi frequently, and we met Eric in person a couple of weeks ago at the 3M premises in Minneapolis while attending the Global Minnesota event and reception.
Lastly, what’s your number one tip for companies expanding to new markets?
First, build a solid strategy for your company—identify your core competencies and stick to the chosen strategy. At the same time, be ready to change and adjust the strategy from time to time, as long as the key focus remains clear. I know this is more than just one tip, but I can’t help myself: get out there and connect—you never know who you’re going to meet, and that’s the fun part of working with people! I’m happy to discuss and connect with others who are considering market entry in a new region and share my insights. Perhaps we could find a mutual approach that benefits both companies or even a wider group of businesses.
Want to know more about TT Gaskets?
Web: https://tt-gaskets.fi/en/
LinkedIn: @TT Gaskets
