John Cockerill Surface Treatment Expands Operations to North America

John Cockerill Surface Treatment expands operations to North America as part of its long-term growth strategy.

A new operation center will be opened in Houston, Texas, in August 2026. The new unit will be led by Lasse Vilminko, who currently works as CEO in Lahti, Finland.

“North America is the largest market in the world. In aerospace and defense alone, the market exceeds USD 100 million annually and is expected to grow at a rate of approximately 7% per year through at least 2030. We are responding to this opportunity by moving closer to our customers,” says Vilminko.

John Cockerill Surface Treatment is a global leader in chemical cleaning and etching lines for the aerospace industry. Houston is a natural choice for the expansion, as John Cockerill already has an established presence in the fastest growing region in the United States.

According to Vilminko, the new North American operation center is not intended to serve only as a sales office. Instead, John Cockerill Surface Treatment aims to provide comprehensive local support throughout the entire lifecycle of its systems, from design and delivery to after sales services.

Strong Foundation Remains

John Cockerill Surface Treatment’s core operations will continue to be firmly based in Europe, including product design, automation engineering, and project management.

As part of this transition, Jani Välkky, previously Technical Director, has been appointed Operating Center Head of Finland.

“Leading engine manufacturers and aerospace companies place their trust in John Cockerill Surface Treatment. Our Lahti team has a strong foundation of expertise and a culture of excellence. I am proud of what we have achieved together and look forward to taking on this new role,” Välkky says.