Insta reports record growth in 2024 with strong outlook for defence and industry

“The past year, 2024, brought with it record net sales of €176.2 million and was the fourteenth consecutive year of growth,” said Tapio Kolunsarka, CEO of Insta. “Over the past year, we secured our future opportunities for growth by setting a record in the volume of new orders – €200 million – and our order backlog at the start of the year is at an exceptionally high level from a historical perspective.”

Marking its 65th anniversary in 2025, Insta continues to focus on profitable growth, safe and sustainable solutions, and deep expertise. Kolunsarka added, “In 2025, we expect Insta’s net sales to grow significantly and profitability to remain at a good level.”

The company’s strong balance sheet supports continued investments and potential acquisitions. “Our customer satisfaction is at a high level (Net Promoter Score of 57), which encourages us to continue what we are doing,” Kolunsarka said.

Insta operates through two main business areas: Insta Industry, which provides industrial electrical automation solutions, and Insta Advance, which covers defence, software, and cyber security. Both divisions reported strong performance and future growth prospects.

Insta Industry achieved net sales of €101.2 million in 2024, with notable improvements in profitability and results. The division expanded its cabinet production facilities and acquired PLC-Automation Oy to support its growth strategy.

The business is targeting future growth through turnkey deliveries, support for the green transition, and life cycle services. These strategic areas are expected to help meet rising customer demand and environmental goals.

Insta Advance maintained strong sales in defence, cyber security, and software development, with total net sales of €75 million. The division deepened its strategic partnership with the Finnish Defence Forces and expanded its presence in NATO markets.

Notable achievements included agreements related to F-35 avionics services and the AirC2 command and control system. “We signed important agreements related to the development of the AirC2 command & control systems for air defence, for example,” the company noted.

Insta also continued international defence collaborations, including the Insta Steel Eagle™ ER drone developed with Ukrainian partners and the launch of the Insta Safe EOD™ drone. These technologies support mine and explosive ordnance disposal operations.

The defence market is forecast to grow, and Insta is increasing long-term investments in product development and internationalisation. The company aims to strengthen its role in European defence solutions and NATO-aligned projects.

In cyber security, Insta expanded its global footprint, serving over 170 customers across more than 50 countries. “Our know-how in cyber security is already being utilised in more than 50 countries and across all continents,” the company stated.

Insta advanced its encryption solutions, with Insta SafeLink™ gaining approval for securing EU and NATO-classified data. The firm’s cyber capabilities are supported by a wide partner network and ongoing expansion of PKI services.

To support its growth, Insta hired over 180 new employees in 2024, including software, automation, and cyber security experts. “Reliable, competent, and motivated personnel who feel good working for us are at the core of Insta’s activities,” said Kolunsarka.

With approximately 1,200 team members, Insta plans to recruit around 100 more employees in 2025. The company’s employee engagement score (eNPS) reached an excellent level of 37, reflecting a strong and attractive working environment.

Insta’s 2024 EBIT reached €18.8 million, 10.7% of net sales, with a net result of €18.3 million. The company has also set new responsibility goals for 2025–2030, aligning growth with sustainability.