What SLO does

Sonepar Suomi Oy, trading historically as SLO (founded 1945), is a Finland-headquartered electrical supplies wholesaler and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sonepar Group, the self-described world's largest electrical supplies distributor. Headquartered in Vantaa with 101-250 employees, the company offers Finland's broadest electrical supplies selection — over 170,000 products spanning electrical, telecom, and automation categories — distributed through a nationwide network of physical stores (offering same-day pickup), an e-commerce platform at shop.sonepar.fi, and a comprehensive logistics and delivery infrastructure covering all of Finland. The company's technology backbone includes EDI/OVT/XML electronic trading interfaces, Punchout integration, electronic invoicing, and two proprietary inventory management systems: Omavarasto (customer-owned inventory hosted at Sonepar) and the Asiakasvarasto APP for mobile customer warehouse management.

The company serves professional electricians, electrical contractors, and electrical/telecom/automation companies under a contract-based B2B model. Customers enroll as "sopimusasiakas" (contract customers) to access the broadest product range, volume-based pricing, personalized technical consultation, and dedicated logistics. Revenue is generated primarily through wholesale product mark-up (transaction-based) with a secondary stream from logistics, warehousing, and value-added services billed via a separate service price list (palveluhinnasto). The company also operates proprietary sub-brands — TRADEFORCE and LIT by Cardi (tools, luminaires, extension cords) and ElektroSkutt (installation supplies) — and has launched a dedicated Data Center Solutions category targeting data center operators. Marketing is conducted through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and a corporate newsroom (Uutishuone), while the company prominently promotes its parent group's EcoVadis Platinum sustainability certification and publishes annual sustainability reports.

Name

SLO

Legal name

Sonepar Suomi Oy

Website

https://verkkokauppa.slo.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Sonepar Suomi Oy (historically SLO, founded 1945) is Finland's leading electrical, telecom, and automation wholesaler, serving professional electricians and contractors with 170,000+ products, nationwide logistics, and B2B contract pricing as part of global Sonepar Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vantaa

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Product Sales: Sonepar generates revenue as a wholesale distributor through the mark-up on electrical, telecom, and automation products sold to contract customers. The business operates on a B2B transaction model where professional customers (electricians, contractors, companies) purchase products for their projects and operations. Volume-based pricing is offered for larger quantities.
2. Logistics and Value-Added Services: Additional value services including logistics services, warehousing services, and delivery services generate service-related revenue. A separate service price list (palveluhinnasto) is published for these services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Sonepar Suomi Oy (SLO) is a B2B electrical supplies wholesaler distributing 170,000+ electrical, telecom, and automation products in Finland to professional electricians, contractors, telecom/automation companies, and data center operators. The company combines a contract-customer sales program with a proprietary e-commerce platform (shop.sonepar.fi), physical stores offering same-day pickup, and nationwide delivery services, supported by EDI/OVT/XML/Punchout electronic trading integrations and proprietary inventory tools (Omavarasto, Asiakasvarasto APP).

Product overview

Sonepar Suomi is a leading electrical, telecom and automation products wholesaler operating as a single unified platform offering Finland's broadest electrical supplies selection with over 170,000 products. The core offering includes the Sonepar e-commerce platform supplemented by proprietary brands TRADEFORCE and LIT by Cardi (tools, lights, extension cords) and ElektroSkutt (installation supplies). The company provides integrated services including logistics and delivery services, value-added services for streamlined operations, storage services, the Sonepar mobile app, Asiakasvarasto APP for customer warehouse management, and Omavarasto online inventory service. Sonepar also offers specialized solutions for data centers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TRADEFORCE: Quality, durable and versatile tools, luminaires, extension cords and more.
• LIT by Cardi

Products and services

• Sonepar Suomi Electrical Wholesale Catalog Wholesale distribution of 170,000+ electrical, telecom, and automation products to professional contract customers in Finland via the B2B shop platform, contract pricing program, and physical stores.
• TRADEFORCE Brand (tools, lights, extension cords) Proprietary product brand offering quality, durable, and versatile tools, luminaires, extension cords, and related professional supplies distributed by Sonepar Suomi.
• LIT by Cardi Brand (tools, lights, extension cords) Proprietary product brand offering quality, durable, and versatile tools, luminaires, extension cords, and related professional supplies distributed by Sonepar Suomi.
• ELEKTROSKUTT Brand (installation supplies) Convenient time-saving installation supplies brand now available within the Sonepar Suomi product catalog for professional installers.
• Logistics and Delivery Services Flexible transport and delivery services with reliable shipments throughout Finland, including same-day pickup options at physical stores and value-added services plus storage services.
• Value-Added Logistics Services Solutions for more streamlined and efficient logistics operations offered to professional B2B customers alongside product distribution.
• Omavarasto (Own Warehouse) online inventory service Online customer-managed inventory and warehousing service allowing contract customers to monitor stock within Sonepar's facilities with real-time visibility and replenishment.
• Asiakasvarasto APP (Customer Warehouse Mobile Application) Mobile application that lets contract customers manage their Sonepar-held warehouse inventory, access product information, pricing, and ordering capabilities.
• Data Center Solutions Dedicated offering for data center operators and developers providing electrical infrastructure products and supply support for long-term data center construction and operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Finland's widest product selection enabling single-source procurement
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TRADEFORCEcoreTechnology or Integration
• LIT by CardicoreTechnology or Integration
• Data Center OperatorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rexel Finland: Local Finnish subsidiary of global competitor Rexel. Direct competitor in Finland operating the same B2B electrical wholesaling model with overlapping customer base of professional installers and contractors.
• Ahlsell: Leading Nordic technical wholesaler serving installers, contractors, and industrial customers with electrical, lighting, HVAC, tools, and fasteners. Direct Nordic regional competitor with overlapping product categories and B2B contractor customer base.
• Würth: Global B2B wholesaler of tools, fasteners, and electrical/installation supplies with strong Northern European footprint. Comparable in serving professional trades with branded tools and electrical accessories.
• Rexel: Global B2B distributor of electrical, lighting, security, and energy management products. Closest direct competitor to Sonepar Group worldwide and the most relevant comparable for Sonepar Suomi's core electrical wholesaling business model.
• Solar A/S: Danish-headquartered electrical wholesale group operating across Northern Europe, including Finland-adjacent markets. Comparable in scale and B2B electrical distribution model targeting professional installers.
• Onninen: Nordic electrical and HVAC technical wholesaler with strong presence in Finland. Directly comparable in product mix (electrical supplies, automation, telecom) and target customer segments (professional contractors and installers).

Broad incumbents

• Hilti: Global manufacturer and direct seller of tools, fastening, and electrical installation systems to construction professionals. Comparable in customer base (professional electricians/contractors) and product categories (tools and installation accessories).
• Schneider Electric: Global electrical equipment, automation, and energy management manufacturer that sells partly through electrical distributors including Sonepar. Comparable as an upstream supplier/category shaper whose products Sonepar Suomi distributes.
• Saint-Gobain Distribution Nordic: Nordic distribution arm of Saint-Gobain covering building materials, plumbing/heating, and electrical wholesale. Comparable as a multi-category technical distributor serving construction professionals in Northern Europe.

Regional players

• Dahl Sverige: Sweden-based technical wholesaler (part of the Saint-Gobain Group) focused on plumbing, heating, and electrical products. Comparable in Nordic technical wholesale model, though primarily serving the Swedish market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SLOJoensuu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/slo-oy
• Instagraminstagram.com/sonepar_suomi_oy
• Xx.com/oyslo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SLO