Professionals Finnish Professionals is a commercial supplement published by Editor Helsinki /// May 2014
Design Business
Money grows in a Finnish forest page 5
Timeless
Minimalist
From Tampere with Love
page 3
page 16
page 11
business 5 Money does grow in a Finnish forest 8 Gentle Eye Measurement 10 More than square meters 11 From Tampere, with Love 12 Intelligence for waste management 13 Global demand for Finnish cleantech expertise for fish farming 14 Proud of their work 16 Minimalist in energy use
pa ge 9
Content produced by Editor Helsinki
pa ge 7
Finnish Professionals
Design & living 3 Timeless design for the home 4 Modern urban living by the sea 6 Music pleasure beyond compare with biocomposites 7 Over the rocks of recession with Targa boats 8 Modern and Ecological Living in a Wooden House 9 High class techno-medical garments
pa ge 10
FinnishProfessionals
Contents
2
Dear reader, This issue of Finnish Professionals gives you an insight into Finnish companies active in international markets. They will tell customers about their solutions and services. Innovations, compe tence, products, and processes are all aimed at bringing state of the art solutions and services to the global market. We hope that you will enjoy the Finnish expertise.
Editor Helsinki & Finnish Professionals Finnish Professionals is a publication produced by Editor Helsinki Oy. Editor Helsinki is an independent expert in business communications. We work in close co-operation with the leading media houses and reach the business decision makers in Finland. For additional information, please contact Valtteri Rantalainen, +358 9 42412223. Production team: Managing producer Valtteri Rantalainen, Producer Joonas Kesälahti, Art Director Pirja Suotamo, Editors: Maija-Liisa Saksa, Eila Aalto, Ulla Rantakari. English translation: Käännöstoimisto Pikakääntäjä.fi. Printed by Hansaprint. Feedback to Editor Helsinki Oy: palaute@editorhelsinki.fi | +358 9 4241 2223 www.editorhelsinki.fi | www.editori.fi
Editor Helsinki’s choice Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma (on the cover photo) Top names of Finnish contemporary art, design and fashion will meet in May 2014 in an exhibition ‘Together’ organised jointly by Marimek ko and Kiasma. The invited 16 artists and designers have all been given a carte blanche to create any kind of work for the exhibition. They were also free to choose whether they want to work alone, in pairs or in a larger group. Some artists use the materials and production processes of Marimekko in new ways, others explore the starting points of inspira tion that are common to product design and art. They will all create new works for the exhibition, designed particularly with the spaces of Kiasma in mind. Welcome to enjoy the exhibition starting on the 16th of May in Kiasma located at the heart of Helsinki, Mannerheiminaukio 2.
FinnishProfessionals Content produced by Editor Helsinki
3
Photo: Sami Perttilä
Photos: Fiskars
Fiskars Group consists of more than ten brands focused on home, garden and outdoor activities.
Fiskars continues to be the world’s leading manufacturer of scissors, says Petri S. Toivanen and Päivi Paltola-Pekkola from Fiskars Group.
Timeless design for the home The traditional and respected brands of the Fiskars Group invite you to enjoy yourself at home. The oldest of the brands, Fiskars, is celebrating its 365 years this year.
F
iskars, the oldest company in Finland and one of the oldest in Europe, is currently celebrating its 365th anniversary. In line with the theme, the birthday is being observed on all 365 days of the year with various events and campaigns. The most famous product produced by Fiskars, which makes kitchen and garden products, are the first plastic-handled scissors, which have been on the market for 47 years. A billion pairs have been sold. Fiskars continues to be the world’s leading manufacturer of scissors. The orange-handled scissors have become a commonly used symbol for scissors and also an important symbolic for companies. At this moment Fiskars is part of the Fiskars Group, which consists of more than ten brands focused on home, garden and outdoor activities. The best known of these are Fiskars and Iittala. “Our brand portfolio contains several names that are among the Finland’s top ten most respected brands,” says a satisfied Petri S. Toivanen, who is responsible for Fiskar’s Kitchen business. Decorating the interior of a home is a huge worldwide trend, and the brands of the Fiskars Group that are associated with Scandinavian
”Items should be distinctive, combinable and functional. We believe in timeless design that is never thrown away.” living are aiming for an even greater international presence. While there has been a lot of effort directed on a beautiful table setting, the design harmony of cooking utensils has been sidelined because of a fragmented supply. Fiskars has renewed the Functional Form concept where kitchen utensils work together functionally and visually, creating harmony in the kitchen. The collection consists of the true essentials for everyday cooking. Interior decoration reflects the personality of its inhabitants
”A home has become like clothing in the sense how it projects your own image to others,” says Päivi Paltola-Pekkola, who is responsible for Fiskars’ Living business. Like in any other fashion, interior decorating lives in seasons. Even though people like change, consumers want choices that will last. In our products there is an emphasis on quality; and
personal style and variety are generated from imaginative combinations. A long tradition also makes it possible to cycle between former and present series. There are already several series in homes that are easy to complement with current colours. For example, the novel colour of the Kastehelmi series is a trendy lemon yellow, whereas the new tone of Teema dishes is a nostalgic celadon green. Table settings also show evidence of international cooking influences. For example, bowls and porcelain scoops suitable for serving Asian foods have been added to the Taika tableware set. People are also interested in investing in glass dishes. After they are done collecting different kinds of wine glasses, people invest in offering other special drinks. For example, people buy different glasses for beer, sherry and cognac. Paltola-Pekkola reveals a couple of insider tips for people interested in emerging trends. ”Pioneers in interior decorating have fallen in love again with the Utima Thule glassware set. And the Aalto vase is currently very much in vogue in the world again.” www.fiskars.com UR
4
FinnishProfessionals
Content produced by Editor Helsinki
Modern urban living by the sea Lemminkäinen’s Saukonpaasi residential area will open new doors to city living by the sea in Jätkäsaari, Helsinki.
J
ätkäsaari has long served as a port but is now speedily returning to comfortable housing. The area is being developed into a new maritime neighbourhood. In the 1860’s, Jätkäsaari and Saukonsaari were popular areas for summerhouses, but they later became part of a cargo port. When the port moved to Vuosaari, construction began on a new residential area. The area is close to both town centre services and a tranquil seashore. The vicinity of the city is also evident from the two existing tramlines, to be increased to three in 2017. Ruoholahti metro station is less than a kilometre away. Saukonpaasi offers interesting possibilities
Lemminkäinen is building four new housing companies in the Saukonpaasi area, in the north-western part of Jätkäsaari, to be completed in 2014 - 2016. Peace and quiet is guaranteed, since the Saukonpaasi headland ends in a park. Situated by a quiet coastal road, a boat marina managed by the city offers boaters an attractive opportunity to get a home dock for their own boat. Interest in the new district is such that about half of the Saukonpaasi apartments have al-
ready been sold. The sea-facing apartments and large terrace apartments have been especially popular. “Many of the new residents are moving closer to the centre from family houses, since their children have left home. They often appreciate being able to reach the centre by tram or on foot as they please,” says Sales Manager Mirja Hautamäki. The first house to be completed in the Saukonpaasi area will be Merituuli (Sea Breeze), which will accept its first residents in the autumn of 2014. Ruori (Helm) will be built round the same courtyard; Kompassi (Compass) and Loisto (Beacon) will later be added to the tip of the headland. Appreciating style and comfort
The apartments offer views over the sea or onto a park-like courtyard. Seaward apartments in Loisto, on the tip of the headland, will have floor to ceiling glass walls that maximize the effect of the seascape. There are different sizes of homes available
“ The sea-facing apartments and large terrace apartments have been especially popular.“
for different life situations. The roomy studios and one-bedroom apartments have impressive layouts, with large bathrooms and balconies. Spacious, two-bedroomed apartments with balconies and saunas, and four-room apartments, are suitable for couples who value space, or as family housing. Penthouse apartments are equipped to meet the most demanding living and entertainment needs. Three, four, and five room apartments have glazed terraces and, in some cases, a balcony overlooking the courtyard. Larger apartments come equipped with a private sauna suite. The kitchen is more than ever the focal point of the home. The high quality fitted kitchens in these apartments are impressively integrated with the dining rooms and living space. Additional comfort comes, for instance, from under floor heating and access from all apartments to the garages located below the courtyard. Interior common areas provide an added attraction. “Merituuli will have a sea-view sauna on the topmost floor, for use by all the occupants. Kompassi, on the other hand, will have its own fitness centre,” says Project Manager Lasse Vanhanen. www.lemminkainen.fi UR
Photo: © Tietoa Visualisointi Oy
The first house to be completed in the Saukonpaasi area will be Merituuli (Sea Breeze), which will accept its first residents in the autumn of 2014.
Ruori (Helm) will be built round the same courtyard with Merituuli (Sea Breeze). Kompassi (Compass) and Loisto (Beacon) will later be added to the tip of the headland.
FinnishProfessionals Content produced by Editor Helsinki
5
Riitta Väisänen has worked in a variety of wood procurement and forestry positions for the forest industry for over twenty five years.
Money does grow in a Finnish forest The forest is an important place for recreation for Finns and today it is an increasingly popular stable and secure investment. At its best, investment in forest ownership is combined with leisure time activities such as spending time at a cottage, fishing and hunting.
T
he popularity of investments in forest estates grows particularly in economically unstable times. Riitta Väisänen, Sales Director of UPM Bonvesta forest holdings, believes that the strength of an investment in forests is stability. “The biggest difference compared to investing in equities and real estate is that a forest is a type of investment that produces in spite of fluctuations in the world economy. Biological growth begins immediately when the growing season begins in the spring and there is growth every summer without regard to the state of the economy,” she says. Investing in forests is also safe because the buyer knows at the moment of purchase the financial limitations of the forest estate. Threats are mainly related to storm damage, against which you can protect yourself by purchasing forest insurance. Long-term guaranteed returns
Investing in forests is a long-term activity with a return cycle of 10 – 20 years. With good management, net return can be an average of 4 – 5 percent annually. “Investing in a forest is suitable for people or institutions that are looking for long-term and even growth for their investment. Many forestry investors visit their forests to pick berries or mushrooms, hunt or even build a cottage. For many people the forest means a place where you can do
“Investing in a forest is suitable for people or institutions that are looking for long-term and even growth for their investment.“ things with your own hands,” smiles Väisänen. Contrary to popular belief, investing in forests does not require knowledge of forest management. “Of course, if you have the time and energy, you can do a lot in a forest to improve your return. But there are also professionals that explain things and familiarize you with your investment. We at UPM Forest can provide all the services that are needed for forest ownership and managing the investment. Even real estate or equity investors are rarely professionals in these fields,” she points out. ”It is worth getting a good partner with whom the rules are clear and things work smoothly. Then you get the most joy and benefit from a forest.” Your own goals as the starting point for forestry investing
Riitta Väisänen advises people who are interested in investing in forests to consider what they want from their investment. “With a small amount of capital you can get a small forest or a large one with small trees. If
you want pension insurance you can buy a young forest that will produce more abundantly 20 – 30 years from now. A person wanting an even return should buy a forest that is diverse and of different ages, which will produce more evenly.” The price fluctuations of forest estates are great because the price is affected by the volume, age and size of growing stock. “The most productive forests are fully dense, the right species are in the right place, the seedlings are well established and the forest is well managed. The forest has an even distribution of forests of all ages, the road network is in good condition, and peat lands have been drained properly,” says Väisänen in listing the features of a good forestry investment. There are great forestry investments available in the regions of Northern Karelia, Northern Savonia, Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu. “The forest management legacy in these regions is stable, and wood can also be harvested from peat lands because of the cold winter and freezing of the ground. These regions have traditionally been supported by forests, so the management of forests is excellent.” www.bonvesta.fi EA
6
FinnishProfessionals
Content produced by Editor Helsinki
Music pleasure beyond compare with biocomposites In story of Aniara, Harry Martinson combined a poem with a science fiction story and the result was a Nobel Prize for literature. The Aniara of today combines the insight of a small company with the new innovative material of a large company and the result is unique musical experiences.
A
niara-loudspeakers are designed for the listener who is sophisticated and demanding but doesn’t want to pay thousands of euros for his or her enjoyment. This has been made possible by the insightful use of a biocomposite in the manufacturing of its housing. Technical Director Antti Louhivaara of Aurelia, which makes Aniara speakers, is a Finnish leading edge speaker designer. He says that when developing the new product they wanted to maintain a high level of music pleasure but had to reduce production costs to achieve a price level of 600 euros per pair of speakers. They didn’t want to change the internal components of the speaker. The only part for development was the housing. In quality speakers it is usually made of sheets of wood-based MDF, because the properties of wood fibres are well suited for sound reproduction. However, the use of MDF requires a lot of work by hand and it’s not easy to make a high quality, creative design product that satisfies acoustic requirements from a sheet. In Finland, a country with high labour costs, speaker manufacturer Aurelia faced a challenge. Solution from a biocomposite
In lower-priced speakers, the raw material used in the housing is moulded plastic, but their sound reproduction properties do not reach the level of wood-based materials. Antti Louhivaara was aware of the possibilities of biocomposites when he heard of UPM Formi biocomposite, which contains wood fibres and plastics and was developed by Finnish globally acting company UPM. “We at UPM were excited when Antti Louhivaara contacted us and said he wanted to make the best possible speaker more affordably than before by using new technology,” says Vice
“We at UPM were excited when Antti Louhivaara contacted us and said he wanted to make a speaker by using new technology.” ral fibre composite and its vibration-dampening properties are superior compared to plastic: specific modulus is up to 90 % and dynamic loss is up to 200 % higher. The first Aniara speakers were launched a little over a year ago and they were immediately received with rave reviews in trade publications. In Finland Aniara is marketed by Loud Group Oy. Many uses for UPM Formi
In Finland Aniara is marketed by Loud Group Oy
President Markku Koivisto, UPM Biocomposites. Thanks to the properties of wood fibres, the UPM Formi is well suited as a material for demanding sound reproduction. Suitable for injection moulding, UPM Formi gives designers the chance to realise the desired design language and simultaneously consider the laws of acoustics. Compared to traditional plastics, UPM Formi enables very large variations in the thicknesses of walls. Furthermore the stiffness and of the natu-
UPM Biocomposites consists of UPM ProFi outdoor products and UPM Formi granulates for injection moulding and extrusion. UPM Biocomposites business develops, manufactures, markets and sells high-quality composites whose principle ingredients are cellulose fibers and polymers. UPM Biocomposites factories are located in Finland and Germany and it is part of UPM’s new businesses.
UPM Formi is great for sound reproduction but also for numerous other products. The wood fibre gives it a pleasantly warm feeling in your hand and the material is easy to dye to the colour of your choice. Injection moulding makes it possible to create the most varied of shapes – the Biofore concept car, in which plastic is replaced with UPM Formi, was shown at the March car show in Geneva. “UPM Formi has up to a 70% lower carbon foot print compared to traditional plastic. It contains more wood fibre than high quality printing paper. We at UPM want to be the worldwide number one in this industry, and simultaneously enable the high quality and wide range of applications for the products,” says Koivisto. MLS www.upmformi.com | www.upmprofi.com www.aurelia.fi www.loudgroup.fi
UPM Formi granulates contain more wood fibre than high quality printing paper.
FinnishProfessionals FinnishProfessionals Content Content produced produced by by Editor Editor Helsinki Helsinki
Decades of experience with building quality, seaworthy boats, along with a uncompromising desire to keep production under their own control, has kept Botnia Marin, which manufactures Targas going for nearly forty years.
77
The largest model at the moment is Targa 44.
Over the rocks of recession with Targa
T
he beginning of Oy Botnia Marin Ab was like surfing on top of a wave. Starting with less than ten employees, the company established by Johan Carpelan and his wife Britt-Marie manufactured 30 H-boats designed for racing and touring in their first year of operation in 1977. From the very beginning, the company steered its products from the narrow Gulf of Bothnia toward more open waters, the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the Atlantic. ”In the first year we took part in several international trade fairs,” says Sales Director Robert Carpelan, a second generation boat builder. This year they are taking part in twenty fairs across Europe. Made by hand in Ostrobothnia, the original and very seaworthy Targa motorboats are exported around the world. In addition to European countries, there are also Targas in Japan, Singapore, USA and even Lake Baikal in Russia. In addition to individual people who appreciate quality, functionality and longevity, other major users include various authorities, including police departments, customs services and fire departments. Every boat is designed and equipped in detail in collaboration with the customer. Robert Carpelan emphasizes the significance of expertise at every work stage on the final product. “Our two factories now employee 170 professionals and we produce approximately 100 Targas every year. They are over 90% hand made by ourselves. Of course, we buy motors and technical components, but otherwise we want to keep the quality of production in our own hands.
This allows us to develop products continuously to suit our customers better and better.” Over the rocks
Even the best surf waves die out, and so it was with the demand of the H-boat. Botnia Marin needed to navigate in a new direction and 1984 became a turning point. That year was the also the beginning of Targa’s story. It was started by Targa 25, a motorboat that was still a bit in the prototype stage; the company purchased its shapes and rights. They developed the product and the result was a pioneer in the industry: an original, walkaround, offshore-style boat that created an entirely new product class. Another rocky point came in 1990, when all of Finland fell into a recession. Botnia Marin had just doubled its production facilities the previous year, and had paid for the product development costs of Targa 29, but it hadn’t produced income yet. Their salvation was the interim model Targa 27, six of which were sold at its first presentation at a trade fair in Hamburg. “It was a stroke of luck for us, and meant we could almost pass through the whole crises period even though the whole boat industry in Finland struggled for at least two years,” says Robert Carpelan. New wave rises
In recent years, the recession has tested the boat industry across Europe. However, Robert Carpelan is satisfied with Botnia Marin’s season this year because production capacity was already
“Our two factories now employee 170 professionals and we produce approximately 100 Targas every year.“
sold out in February. ”Our product development continues and new models are coming to market. Now the The 4x4 of the when sea largest model is Targa 44. There was a time my dad thought that a 29-foot boat is the biggest possible model but it turned into a 33-footer, a 42-footer… “Times and needs change and we change with it, so we’ll see what the future will bring,” says Robert Carpelan with a smile. The continuation of the family enterprise is guaranteed because his sister Martina also works in the company and company founders Britt-Marie and Johan are still fully involved. www.targa.fi MLS
8
FinnishProfessionals
Content produced by Editor Helsinki
Modern and Ecological Living in a Wooden House
R
elying on advanced woodworking technology, Honkatalot builds ecological homes and cottages without compromising the feeling of luxury. ”Ecologically built houses are often traditional in style. Thanks to Honkatalo’s advanced know-how, now even buildings with a modern exterior can be ecological,” says Honkatalot’s Marketing Director Katariina Vainionpää. The traditions of the Finnish family company Honkatalot in the wood processing industry go back a hundred years and today the company is led by the fourth generation. Extensive experience in the industry, continuous product development and quality control that covers the whole production chain guarantee the quality of the high value ecological homes. The product range of the exportoriented company includes log homes made from top quality Finn-
ish wood, plastic-free wood-framed ecohouses, and post-and-beam houses made of laminated beams. The products of the export collection PolarLifeHaus are all log homes. ”Nowadays people are interested in wellness, and feel it is important to live in a way that is as healthy as possible with no worries of mold,” explains Vainionpää. Unlimited structure options
A log home is the most ecological and breathable structural option but an eco wood-framed house is also very breathable. Another advantage of a breathable log home is a small carbon footprint. Wood is a renewable resource and the “footprint” resulting from production is minimal. Furthermore, a log acts as a carbon sink throughout its whole life by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide. Thanks to our exporting operations, our building styles have been
Log houses are naturally breathable and Honkatalo’s procedure allows their wood-framed ecohouses to be breathable as well.
influenced by Central Europe. For example, that is where the use of modern, light-coloured, moistureresistant spruce in log homes originated. The world’s most advanced woodworking technology enables working with millimetre precision and nearly unlimited architectural solutions. For example, log homes can be built with a cornerless technique without long log ends visible. The post-and-beam construction method is used alone or combined with log or eco wooden houses.
Gentle Eye Measurement
I
ncreased intraocular or eye pressure in pets, particularly in dogs, can lead to blindness just as with humans. Precise measurement of eye pressure is very imporant for making an early diagnosis and in monitoring response to treatment. It is easy with the Icare Tonovet tonometer. Icare Tonovet is based on rebound technology, which is a Finnish innovation originally developed for measuring the eye pressure of humans. On the basis of the positive experiences gained, a devise suitable for measuring the eye pressure of animals was also developed from it. It is used in over 30 countries around the world. Glaucoma or ocular hypertension, or internal eye infections, cause an increase or decrease in pressure in the eye. Untreated they can lead to blindness, sometimes rapidly. In animals, increased eye pressures has been detected most in dogs, but it also occurs in cats and horses. Increased eye pressure caused by glaucoma is also With Icare Tonovet the measuring of the eye pressure of animals is gentle and accurate, which helps in making the right diagnosis and therefore also enables the proper treatment.
often associated with the age of the animal, and the trait may be hereditary. For demanding patients
The Icare Tonovet tonometer is very suitable for taking care of animals because it is a lightweight,
Walls can be clad with a variety of materials and the structure also enables the use of large glass surfaces. Scandinavian architecture with its clean lines generates interest, and floor plans are minimalised and open. The kitchen, dining room and living room are increasingly designed as one great room. Currently people want a lot of modern glass surfaces in their homes to maximise the amount of natural light and to invite the surrounding nature to be part of their living. www.honkatalot.fi UR
handheld device with which a vetinarian can follow the movement of an animal’s head. “The tonometer is unique because the touch of the meter is so gentle that the animal doesn’t feel it and local anasthetic drops are not needed. Just placing anasthetic drops can sometimes irritate an animal,” says veterinarian Elina Pietilä, who has used Icare Tonovet for years. In addition to ease-of-use, she is especially grateful for the precision of the meter in both high and low pressures, which has a big impact on making the proper diagnosis. Animals’ eyes are of different sizes. That’s why there are two settings on the Icare Tonovet tonometer: one for cats and dogs, another for horses’ eyes. There is a separate Icare Tonolab meter developed for small eyes such as those of rats and mice. Icare Tonovet has been developed in Icare Finland Oy, a part of the Revenio Group Corporation, which is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. MLS www.icaretonometer.com
Veterinarian Elina Pietilä has used Icare Tonovet for years.
FinnishProfessionals Content produced by Editor Helsinki
High class techno-medical garments Just in the outskirts of Tampere’s city center lies the 20 year old Lymed Oy, hidden within the 19th century industrial brick walls of Klingendahl building. Lymed, a manufacturer of high class technomedical garments, is one of the last few Finnish businesses in textile industry who resiliently produces its handmade products in its own factory.
T
sport specific garments improve posture and position, body awareness and muscle tone. Lymed garments designed for sports can also prevent injuries and correct the problems caused by earlier injuries. These LYMED Sport garments have the same principles than Lymed’s Sense techno-medical garments. The innovation of the Sense product line is that it can be used to profoundly affect the wellbeing of a person so much so that there is a chance to decrease medication and symptoms in cases of sensory integration disorders. Chronic pain disorders (CRPS) can be treated with Sense products and help functioning in everyday life. Unique custom-made products and special solutions are possible since each and every member of our group partakes in the designing and planning of a garment. The known benefits of pressure treatment has provoked many manufacturers to enter the market for standard sized compression
“Lymed has appointed a dozen distributors all over Europe, Asia and Middle-East.“
products even for sports and animals. The scientific material so far has stated that pressure garments should always be custom-made. Lymed’s own studies, development programs and new indications for use have started many conversations within the industry and international forums on a wide, global scale. Lymed is known all over the world for their knowhow. The patient-driven ideology is shared by many – Lymed has appointed a dozen distributors all over Europe, Asia and Middle-East. The high quality in lieu with customized products is a combination that is hard to beat. World-wide recognition does not come without some credits – Lymed has won the Quality Innovation of the Year Award, Entrepreneurial Technology Award, BLS ILF Joint Award for Industry Innovation, Sports Product of the Year and recognitions for its cooperation with the Paralympic Committee of Finland and the Finnish Key Flag Symbol. To top this off, LYMED Sport won the coveted Red Dot Product Design Award this year. So what’s in store for the next millennium? The same thing Lymed does every day – tries to take over the world. www.lymed.fi
Photo: Mette Kortelainen
he beginning of Lymed is a story among million others. Life took an unexpected turn for the founder Mrs Teija Toikka and soon enough she found herself knee-deep in the world of pressure treatments, long overdue product deliveries and muted hope. In the midst of everything, she took matters into her own hands and sew the first ever LYMED garment on her living room floor. After two decades of constant need for knowledge and the urge to develop, Lymed has progressed to all applications of pressure treatment – edema, post-operation, sensory integration disorders, animals and sports. Nowadays LYMED garments are used to treat several indications. Garments can be used in the traditional sense (scar management and edema), post-operational treatment as well as being used as supporting garments for e.g. CP and autism. The individual needs are always taken in to consideration when the garment is designed. The newest in the product range, with a Red Dot Product Design 2014 award, is LYMED Sport. Individually manufactured,
Ski-cross champion Jouni Pellinen in his Lymed Sport suit.
Lymed products are thoroughly hand-made in Finland.
Founder of Lymed, Mrs Teija Toikka with office dog Ninsku.
9
10 10
FinnishProfessionals FinnishProfessionals
Content produced by Editor Helsinki
Keith Silverang emphasizes that customer satisfaction is backed by the level of service implementa tion, and not just the number of available services.
More Than Square Meters “We don’t provide only walls and square meters. We want to offer more and be something that all customers want to experience again and again,” says Technopolis Plc CEO Keith Silverang.
E
very day, the Technopolis experience affects 32,000 professionals and their thousands visiting customers and partners. Currently Technopolis has 1,500 customer companies in 12 cities in five different countries. Roots in Entrepreneurship
“At Technopolis, we see each office campus as a pulsating ecosystem in which all the actors have common goals: growth and profitability,” says Silverang. Each Technopolis campus plays an important role as a promoter of growth in its community. The company itself is a good example of growth: started 32 years ago as Oulun Teknologiakylä Oy (Oulu Technology Park), it has increased the surface area of its rented premises more than 160-fold. “We want to encourage and help the companies operating in all our facilities to grow and work together, and to find new customer relationships on the campus. So the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” says Silverang, explaining the mode of operation that has led the company to success. The occupancy rate at the end of 2013 was very high, almost 94 per cent. “We don’t see ourselves as a real estate company. We see ourselves as a service company where real estate is just one of the high class services
that we offer. That’s why we have been so successful over the years, Silverang continues. “Another good example on what makes Technopolis different is our networking events. We organize them about 100 times a year throughout our campuses and we see them as essential in building the Technopolis community. Besides sharing knowledge and meeting new people, it also provides a marketplace for our customers to sell to each other. It’s not only about interactions, but about transactions”, says Silverang.
“All Technopolis campuses now have a Business Lounge.“ Carefully Considered Services
Services must meet the same superior standards on every campus. For years, Technopolis has focused strongly on the conceptualization and development of services in collaboration with service providers. Particular attention has been paid to lobby services. “Guests get their first impression of Technopolis in the reception. We have standardized them both visually and functionally. Our receptions are staffed by solid professionals, who are
friendly and service-minded, and ready to help customers with a smile,” says Silverang. The everyday lives of people working at Technopolis customer companies is eased by campus services, such as gyms with masseurs, hair salons, restaurants and cafés. Satisfaction Is Measured Continuously
Customer satisfaction is measured continuously at Technopolis, so that potential areas of development can be addressed immediately. For example, restaurants collect 640,000 responses from our customers every month. “We want as much immediate feedback from our customers as possible and we respond right away to any faults. Keeping customers satisfied is not rocket science, though it does require planning and hard work,” says Silverang. Business Lounge for Occasional Office Space Needs
All Technopolis campuses now have a Business Lounge. It is a service that is based on hourly or monthly rental and is suitable for short-term or periodic needs for office space. In addition to work and conference facilities, the customer has access to all other Technopolis services, such as lobby and restaurant services, and video conferencing facilities. www.technopolis.fi MLS
Try Technopolis Business Lounge free for 2 months. Read more @ www.technopolis.fi/loungeoffer
11
Photo: Juha Suhonen
FinnishProfessionals Content produced by Editor Helsinki Content produced by Editor Helsinki 11
From Tampere, with Love The city of Tampere in Finland is not only the most attractive city in the best country of the world but also a center for high level expertise and manufacturing industry. All this combined with rabid access to other regions in the country, as well as abroad, make Tampere the Bright place to be not only for tourists but for businesses of different fields. This year Tampere Region is known as the capital of love where things are done passionately in cooperation with wide range of experts and with positive twinkle in the eye.
K
nown for its nationally unique culture, special type of rock music, popular comedy sketch characters and lively theatre scene, Tampere Region is also succeeding in the world with its intelligent machines, top-class IT companies and health technology products. Other areas of expertise in the region are the manufacturing industry, creative fields, cleantech, energy and nanotechnology. ”The essence of our region is in the trinity of rock, steel and love. The vibrant culture scene, strong research expertise, long industrial legacy, and the relaxed atmosphere make this the most attractive region in Finland. Companies tell us the positive image of the city of Tampere is important to them because it’s easy to get competent employees. Expertise attracts experts,” says Päivi Myllykangas, Managing Director of Tredea, Tampere Region Economic Development Agency. Experts come to stay
One in five residents of Tampere is a student, and year after year Tampere is ranked as one of the most popular cities to study in. This ensures skilled labor force that is likely to stay in the region for good. ”According to surveys, two-thirds of global companies operating in the Tampere Region stayed here because of the availability and stability of skilled labor. Here comes the bright!” confirms Director Petri Nykänen, who is re-
sponsible for business services and investment attraction in Tredea. Mr Nykänen also highlights the optimal logistical location of the Tampere Region in Finland which is particularly interesting for businesses in the commercial and logistics fields of industry. Also, Tampere Region is only a short flight from the most important Scandinavian and Baltic metropolitan areas. Positively weird place
The Tampere Region is the second largest city region in Finland and among the most rapidly growing urban areas in the country. According to Finnish market research company Taloustutkimus, Tampere is one of the most popular travel destinations and the most attractive place to live in Finland. “It’s easy to highlight the best aspects of our region using the theme of love. This year’s common theme has stirred already dozens
of actors into motion and into making their own love themed events and products. This year’s theme will help us highlight our top products and the positively weird aspects of our region’s subcultures. The theme of love perfectly describes the way we do things: with ease, simplicity and with a passion for doing things together,” tells Karoliina Lehtonen, Marketing Manager of Tredea. Companies located in the Tampere Region mainly compare Tampere to the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, in which case the affordable cost level and availability of skilled labor in the Tampere region are emphasized. “Sometimes we forget that we are near Helsinki and yet our cost level is 20 – 30 per cent lower than in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. In addition, the Tampere Region is a compact, dense region, where it is easy to move around,” notes Petri Nykänen. EA www.tredea.fi/en
Managing Director of Tredea, Päivi Myllynkangas (on the left) and Director of business services and Invest in of Tredea, Petri Nykänen
12
FinnishProfessionals
Content produced by Editor Helsinki
Intelligence for waste management:
Mobile systems boost productivity of waste management
T
ana Oy makes solutions for treating sold waste and combines heavy-duty waste treatment equipment with intelligent control and monitoring systems that operate with mobile devices. This makes it possible to get the maximum performance from equipment and make customers’ business operations more profitable. Known for its landfill compactors and shredders, the company has shifted to a new kind of business model that produces added value for its customers. Intelligent mobile devices are used to produce intelligent business processes. What does it mean in practice, CEO Kari Kangas? “We no longer make actual machines. We have outsourced the manufacturing of equipment. Our mission is to make the usage of equipment that is available from us to be as efficient as possible. Our goal is to provide customers with an added value service they can use to boost their productivity by tens of percentages with a relatively low equipment costs. Monitoring systems are used in nearly all business processes today, but Tana’s monitoring system is designed for tracking the work performed with mobile machinery. ”In the past, productivity was difficult to measure at the individual machine or device level. We utilise an approach that is familiar in the processing industry, in which a device itself produces monitoring data through a network. The device reports data to everyone who needs
it through a mobile telephone network, and the customer can track the development of business operations. We are also notified if the customer has problems with the device. Real-time monitoring of expenses
There are a lot of diagnostics in modern waste treatment equipment; this allows a machine to provide real-time data for example of its fuel consumption and its need for maintenance. Additionally, the device can be given information of its production capacity and cost structure, or how much material the machine can produce and what are its operating expenses, including the driver’s salary costs. “When these data are combined and converted automatically into euros in reports, the customer can monitor the profitability of its business per day, month or driver,” says Kangas. The idea behind the intelligent technology is that a waste treatment machine is a production unit whose operating income and expenses need to be known as in any other production unit. For example, Kari Kangas mentions Tana’s “most intelligent” device, a crusher, or shredder as the professionals call it. “Before, when a customer ran material through a shredder, the only way to measure its productivity was through calculations afterwards. Now our machine reports key expenses to the customer such as salaries, wear and tear, finance calculations and fuel; this means he re-
ceives an income statement in euros via mobile technology.” According to Kangas the goal is to create universal meters so that all parties from owners to the hands-on people can understand the data produced by the machine. That’s why the primary “reporting language” is euros. “The same philosophy applies to all of our devices; their operation is monitored electronically and as comprehensively as possible. When we can reliably measure how much material a machine produces to be processed further, we can give the customer a guarantee that productivity will improve.” Part of the guarantee is that a customer can cancel a machine purchase if the customer promise is not met. “When a customer makes a procurement decision that is worth almost half a million euros, we also have to be committed to increasing the productivity of the customer’s operations.” www.tana.fi EA
Tana will be participating in Europe’s largest environmental trade fair IFAT in Munich, Germany on 5 – 9 May, 2014.
FinnishProfessionals Content produced by Editor Helsinki
13
Global demand for Finnish cleantech expertise for fish farming A sufficient supply of food and clean water are global challenges, and innovative companies are expected to provide new solutions for them. Finnish fish farming technology specialist Arvo-Tec Oy is responding to the demand by developing and producing feeding and water recirculation technologies that increase the production of fish farms without burdening the environment.
N
atural fish resources have, in practice, been fully exploited, which means growth in production has been based on fish farming for decades. With its nearly 10 percent growth, it has been the world’s most rapidly growing sector of food production for the past 50 years. The annual growth rate of intensive fish farming, such as recirculating aquaculture, is even higher than this. This means that there is clearly a demand worldwide for environmentally friendly fish farming technologies that boost efficiency of production. This is what Arvo-Tec from Huutokoski, Finland does. The company develops, manufactures and exports fish feeding systems and recirculation technology designed for fish farming facilities. ”Our core expertise is in fish farming control systems, which are based on energy demand models that simulate fish growth. The models are customised for tens of species of fish. The system is based on precise measurement of environmental conditions. For the growth of fish, the most important element is temperature. Many other factors such as species and size of fish, as well as the oxygen content of water, affect the energy demand of fish,” says Kaj Arvonen, Managing Director of Arvo-Tec. ”Over 90 percent of our feeding systems are exported. We have resellers in 15 countries. In recent years there have been large orders to Aus-
”New recirculation facilities are a big trend, and our feeding systems are almost unbeatable in this market because of their precision and integrated measuring systems.” tralia, the Arab states, Central Europe, Canada, Chile and Scandinavia.” “Since 1995 we have delivered over 700 systems that feed about 14 000 tanks around the world. New recirculation facilities are a big trend, and our feeding systems are almost unbeatable in this market because of their precision and integrated measuring systems.” Recognised expertise
In 2002 Arvo-Tec received the national InnoSuomi award from President Halonen for the water recirculation technology that it de-
veloped. The method makes it possible to farm fish evenly and steadily year round no matter what the weather is. The technology reduces the environmental load of fish farming on the environment by more than 80 percent compared to traditional fish farming. ”We are able to totally control the growing environment with the recirculation technology. We can affect all of the factors of fish farming: water temperature, lighting, oxygen content of water etc. In other words, we provide fish with the best possible growing conditions 365 days a year,” assures Arvonen. www.arvotec.fi EA
Top products using modern technology
A
ll of the products of Arvo-Tec, which was established in 1994, have been developed by the company itself. Arvo-Tec is owned by Huutokosken Arvo-Kala Oy, which is a long-time fish farming company that was established in 1964 by Lars Arvonen and is headquartered in Huutokoski. Arvo-Kala owns two of its own facilities where they develop and test their own products. The company has also established Carelian Caviar Oy, which has a recirculation farm located in the city of Varkaus next to a Stora Enso paper mill. The facilities utilises the waste heat, energy and water treatment plant of the paper mill in its operations.
“We built the largest recirculating facility in Finland for sturgeon to product caviar. There are nearly 5 000 cubic metres of tanks that enable the production of about 10 tons of caviar every year. It is a significant share of the estimated 170 tons of caviar production in the world. Carelian Caviar is among the five largest caviar production facilities in the world.” “The facility uses recirculation technology developed by Arvo-Tec. Operations are also expanding in Finland. Right now we are launching a major recirculation facility project in Finland that will significantly increase Finland’s fish production,” says Kaj Arvonen.
14
FinnishProfessionals
Content produced by Editor Helsinki
Proud of their work Patria people are proud of their skills and their work. The development and manufacture of armoured vehicles, aircraft parts and intelligence systems requires unique excellence.
P
atria has a decades-long history that extends from the early days of iron plates, blowpipes and welders, to composite materials, IT systems expertise and system design. Its high level of expertise has given the company access to export markets around the world. Exports make up 60 percent of the Group’s approximately 800 million euro turnover. Versatile high tech
Patria is an international aerospace and defence conglomerate, which the public at large generally associates with armoured vehicles and weapons systems. In fact, together with life-cycle support services, these do form a significant part of the company’s turnover. Another important business area is life-cycle support services for aircraft and helicopters, combined with advanced expertise in materials technology. This allows for the manufacture of demanding composite aircraft parts and space structures. These include, for example, spoilers for the Airbus A380 passenger aircraft, as well as signal processing electronics for a number of European Space Agency programs. A third area of business is the development of intelligence, surveillance and command systems. “We believe in ourselves and in our expertise. I have worked with many Finnish international companies and I can say with confidence that the skill of Patria employees, combined with customer dedication, is unique in our country. This is something that we at Patria can be proud of,” says member of the Board of Management and Chief Compliance Officer Sirpa-Helena Sormunen. Internationalism at home
An international career at Patria does not necessarily require moving to the Helsinki area. The Group operates at a number of locations in Finland, Sweden and Norway. “We are an advanced provider of engineering expertise and 80 percent of our employees have a technical education. Our locations outside growth centres also need a great deal of special expertise, versatility and innovation in order to develop and utilize the latest tech-
nologies. In particular, IT expertise is required for demanding enterprise application integration,” says Sormunen. Nowhere near all the skills required at Patria can be learned at the school bench, so the company continually trains its personnel. This gives personnel the opportunity to develop through doing, and to find suitable opportunities for advancement in their own careers. “We can provide an interesting workplace for true professionals. At present, less than a fifth of our personnel are women, and we hope to increase that figure. There is nothing to prevent women from seeking work at any level in our company,” Sormunen emphasizes. The chance of an interesting career
Employees feel comfortable at Patria and the personnel turnover is quite low. “This is certainly influenced by the fact that the company strives to be as flexible as possible, taking into account the current needs of employees. In an evolving company, job descriptions can change with changing interests. This makes a varied career possible even in a small community. Additional opportunities for personal development are available through moves between company offices, or to international projects around the world,” says Sormunen. She stresses that Patria understands the importance of balancing work and leisure. “We support our personnel in a variety of pursuits. People feel well when working life and free time are in proportion. We want to provide flexible comforts amid demanding work that requires specialized knowledge, giving many opportunities to develop, but also enough time for people to spend on themselves and with their families. Taxes in Finland
Patria is a Finnish and mainly state-owned company that pays taxes in Finland and has also provided yearly dividend income to the state - more than 19 million euros last year. Particular attention is paid to transparency and ethics in all respects when dealing with both partners and employees. www.patria.fi MLS
Sirpa-Helena Sormunen believes in Patria’s expertise. She has worked with many Finnish international companies and she can see how the skills of Patria employees, combined with customer dedication, are unique in Finland.
Photos: Patria
Photo: Sami Perttil채
FinnishProfessionals Content produced by Editor Helsinki
> Patria has about 1,800 employees in Finland. > The Group, including foreign associated companies, employs about 3,500 people. > The company also provides employment indirectly through its subcontractors, of which it has around two thousand.
15
16
FinnishProfessionals
Content produced by Editor Helsinki
Minimalist in energy use Designed and manufactured for professional use by Porkka Finland Oy, Inventus refrigeration appliances have powerful energy savings.
P
designed on principles of energy and cost efficiency. “This is we believe one of the most energy efficient refrigeration devices available on the EU market,” says Managing Director Lasse Korpela. The development of Inventus refrigerators has been a combination of the latest technology in electronics and controls, refrigeration skills, and Porkka Finland’s over 50 years of experience in insulation. The background behind the development is the ecological design regulations of Europe, which sets new requirements for refrigeration equipment used by professionals. The new regulations come into force in 2016, at which time all manufactures must declare the energy consumption of their devices. By 2020, the regulations for energy consumption of commercial refrigeration equipment will be tightened even more. However, the new Inventus devices already rise to the top of energy efficient devices and satisfy these new regulations. Development of the Porkka Inventus range began in early 2013, and the new devices were presented to the prestigious ExpoMilano Show in the autumn of the same year. “Low energy consumption combined with long-lasting equipment means clear savings for customer,” says Korpela. Including with the purchase price, the calculated electricity consumption during an eight year lifespan means up to 60 percent total saves with Inventus devices compared to earlier options. Also, the unusually long five year warranty period is evidence of durable quality. “The reception has been excellent and the number of orders has exceeded our expectations,” says Korpela. There are a variety of sizes and models of refrigerators, cold rooms and freezers in the product range. In addition to improvements in energy efficiency, there also improvements to the appearance and user friendliness of the appliances. Today, design and a uniform look of appliances are also important in professional kitchens. Usage features are improved by shelf guides that are pressed into the interior walls, which boost the hyInventus range of cabinets gienic level of appliances compared to already meet the enegy traditional screw-fastened shelf bracket solutions. A LED control panel classification A+ as published by www.topten.eu makes using the devices even easier than before. www.porkka.com UR
orkka Finland Oy is a well-known designer and manufacturer of professional refrigerators and cold storage rooms. Founded in 1962, the company is one of the most efficient manufacturers of refrigeration equipment in Europe. Pokka Finland is the leading manufacturer and seller in its industry in Scandinavia, and also has a strong position in Central Europe and the Russian market. Customers of the company, which gets 75 percent of its revenues from exporting, include hotels, restaurants, central kitchens and ships. The company’s new Inventus refrigeration appliance series is