Nordic Business & Innovations by Editor Helsinki Oy

N O R D I C

BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS

”LET’S SETTLE THIS LIKE FINNS” – arbitration as a risk management tool page 3

The wind of megatrends is helping Ensto on their journey towards a better future | page 2

The Finnish company Restamax is building upon its international success story in the restaurant business | page 4

Modeo and Kukkapuro’s ageless designs are a perfect match | page 12

Nordic Business & Innovations is a commercial supplement produced by Editor Helsinki | September 2018 | www.editori.fi 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 the Nordics. For additional information, please contact Valtteri Rantalainen | +358 40 561 7703 | tuotanto@editorhelsinki.fi Managing producer: Christian Ehrström • Art Director: Hanna Knaapi • Editors: David J. Cord, Mia Heiskanen, Kati Keturi and Maija-Liisa Saksa

NORDIC BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS

The wind of megatrends is helping Ensto on their journey

TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE Ensto wants to be a pioneer of electrical solutions, whether smart grids, buildings or electrical traffic. The vision is becoming a reality, piece by piece, by putting the favourable winds of megatrends to work for the company.

nsto believes in a better life and a more sustainable future by electricity. “Everything we do is related to electricity. A year ago we renewed our strategy and defined our purpose. This was summarised by the words Better life with electricity. It means that we use products, services and solutions to do our part in improving the everyday life of all people. That is the premise of our operations,” states CEO Ari Virtanen. THE WIND OF MEGATRENDS HAS BEEN HARNESSED BY THE COMPANY According to Virtanen, the company also had some deep conversations about the megatrends affecting Ensto’s business. “They are like the wind. We cannot influence its direction, but we can adjust our sails in a way that lets us go where we want to.” Some of the megatrends identified by Ensto are e.g. urbanisation, digitalisation, responsibility and social change. Virtanen has examples to concretise them. “In China, some 400 million people will be moving into cities from the countryside in the near future. This will change the structure of cities, making them more dependent on electricity. Digitalisation is an enabler for the construction and energy industries, where Ensto has a strong presence.” Virtanen believes that digitalisation will make a big entrance into the construction industry, making it possible to speak of genuinely intelligent buildings. Social change will allow people to live a lot longer, wanting to stay at home and get services that help with everyday tasks. Also, it is a fact that traffic will be electrified.

Ensto’s CEO Ari Virtanen believes in Better life with electricity. HANNA KNAAPI

THE SMART CITY FRAMEWORK The framework for these megatrends is the smart city and the ecosystems contained within it, into which Ensto is investing and developing solutions for. “These are the smart distribution of electricity, construction and traffic. We are well positioned to make electricity more intelligent, so that it may better provide for the needs of future cities and citizens. We want to do our part in facilitating a shift in the construction sector away from a technology and process focused approach and towards a people-centric approach, creating smart buildings that are better able to serve their users. Ensto is already a leading provider of charging stations for electric cars. We believe in the smart charging

of cars, and Ensto’s charging stations are already connected to the cloud where they can be controlled remotely. The foundation exists, making it easy to carry on,” Virtanen concludes. MIA HEISKANEN

60 ACTS FOR BETTER LIFE Ensto has made life better with electricity through times and generations. During the 60th anniversary Ensto will celebrate with 60 acts for better life and for a better future. Read more www.ensto.com #ensto60 #60acts #betterlife

HANNA KNAAPI

NORDIC BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS

”LET’S SETTLE THIS LIKE FINNS”

Heidi Merikalla-Teir, Secretary General of the Arbitration Institute of the Finland Chamber of Commerce (FAI)

In July, Finland became the hotspot of international diplomacy. The Helsinki Summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin showcased Finland as a reliable and efficient centre for settling international disputes – which is not a surprise, as Finland has a long tradition of conflict resolution.

lobal media rightfully described Finland as a trustworthy, respected and safe country, with virtually no corruption and excellent geographical location. These characteristics are valuable to resolve international business disputes as well. The Helsinki Summit inspired many Finnish companies to spotlight their brands. Amongst them, a brewery marked the occasion with a new beer named “Let’s settle this like adults”. “Likewise, the motto for settling international business disputes could well be “Let’s settle this like Finns,” says Heidi Merikalla-Teir, Secretary General of the Arbitration Institute of the Finland Chamber of Commerce (FAI). A RISK MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR BUSINESS In today’s fast-paced business world, organisations are under a lot of pressure to develop their businesses, innovate and be truly global. The ability to change direction rapidly and make difficult strategic choices is vital. The last thing a company wants is to tie resources to lengthy and expensive dispute resolution proceedings – fighting over old issues takes precious time away from business development and hinders the organisation from looking ahead. “Every business will eventually run into a situation where something doesn’t go as planned: a faulty delivery, an unpaid bill, a dispute between shareholders or other disagreements. Disputes may arise and, sometimes, they cannot be solved without outside assistance. What matters is to be prepared to deal with disputes as they arise,” says Merikalla-Teir.

“As part of their contract negotiations, organisations should agree on dispute resolution. Similarly, people entering into marriage often agree on divorce terms – it’s not a sign of mistrust. Agreeing on the use of efficient dispute resolution should be seen as a risk management tool – for all parties.” IN SEARCH OF EFFICIENT DISPUTE RESOLUTION METHOD Increasingly, business disputes are being resolved through arbitration, which is a dispute resolution method alternative to litigation in state courts. It provides businesses with speedy and cost-efficient dispute resolution, enabling them to use their resources effectively and to look into the future, not the past. Flexibility, expertise and confidentiality are other advantages of arbitration. The outcome of an arbitration proceeding is a decision that is binding on the parties and cannot, as a main rule, be appealed. This contributes to the speediness of the proceedings. “Resolving disputes in one instance only is often the best solution from a business perspective,” Merikalla-Teir adds. Parties may agree on settling their business disputes in arbitration by inserting an arbitration clause in their contract. “Too often we see contract clauses that are poorly formulated, leading to further disagreements. This is why we recommend the use of model arbitration clauses that can be found on our website arbitration.fi in many languages,” Merikalla-Teir emphasises. CONSIDER IT SOLVED – THE FINNISH WAY Arbitration has a long tradition as a dispute resolution method in Finland. The Arbitration

Institute of the Finland Chamber of Commerce (FAI) is one of the world’s oldest arbitration institutes. International disputes are increasingly being resolved through the FAI arbitration. “We hope that Finland – and the FAI as an arbitration institute – will be increasingly recognized as a hub for international dispute resolution. In addition to the characteristics highlighted by international media during the Helsinki Summit, Finnish efficiency together with pragmatic and “no-nonsense” attitude meet the needs of today’s fast-paced business world,” Merikalla-Teir notes. “Being involved in a dispute is rarely good business for the parties involved. Nevertheless, sometimes there is no alternative. Then, it is all about being prepared and able to deal with the dispute efficiently. From the outset, settling disputes efficiently requires a right mindset – and the Finns have it.” KATI KETURI

• Established in 1911, FAI is one of the world’s oldest arbitration institutes • Administers domestic and international arbitrations and mediations governed by its Arbitration Rules, Expedited Arbitration Rules and Mediation Rules • Appoints arbitrators in ad hoc cases when the parties’ arbitration agreement so provides • Model arbitration clauses: https://arbitration.fi/ arbitration/model-arbitration-clauses/ • Twitter: @FAIarbitration • LinkedIn: The Finland Arbitration Institute (FAI) www.arbitration.fi

NORDIC BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS

IN THE RESTAURANT WORLD, you have to offer engaging experiences around the clock

The Finnish company Restamax is building upon its international success story in the restaurant business by taking advantage of its people’s passion and their customer orientation to offer diners unique restaurant experiences for both regular visits and festive events, regardless of the time of day.

n Restamax’s philosophy, growth and expansion to international markets do not rule out entrepreneurship and the touch of passionate people. “We have a remarkable story. In just a short period of time, we have become a major actor in the restaurant business in Finland, been floated on the stock market, and have laid the foundation for internationalization, when we entered the Danish market,” says CEO Juha Helminen. According to Helminen, the aim of Restamax is to offer its customers personalized and multifaceted restaurant experiences. “People need variety as they travel now more than ever, and social media has made it easy to get new ideas and inspiration from all over the world. The restaurant business has to adapt to this and offer our customers ever more fascinating experiences, regardless of the day of the week or time of day.” RESTAURATEURS’ TOUCH IS IMPORTANT How do you achieve this? “In our opinion, the best result is achieved by having personalized restaurants under our umbrella, whose vision

and touch is born and developed through the cooperation of restaurateurs and us.” COCK’S & COWS AND THE BIRD ARE OPENING NEW BRANCHES AT THE COPENHAGEN AIRPORT A fresh example is the expansion to Denmark, where Restamax has purchased the popular Cock’s & Cows and The Bird, which operate together 11 restaurants and bars in Copenhagen. “The founders of Cock’s & Cows and The Bird, Lasse Wiwen and Daniel Knuttelin, have remained at the helm, and their expertise has laid a solid foundation for the growth of our corporation in Denmark and other northern European countries. We are opening new branches of Cock´s & Cows and The Bird at Copenhagen airport,” Helminen says. MIA HEISKANEN

ARE YOU TRAVELLING TO HELSINKI? VISIT THESE ICONIC RESTAURANTS In Finland, Restamax has just acquired shares of RR Holding Oy (Royal Ravintolat), meaning that the iconic restaurants like Savoy, Löyly, Elite, Ravintola Palace and Ravintola Teatteri now also belong to this innovative Finnish restaurant group. Most of Restamax restaurants are food restaurants. ”Our best-known restaurant and café concepts include Classic American Diner, Bella Roma, Colorado Bar & Grill, Purpur, Masu Asian Bistro & Bar, Bodega Salud, Stefan’s Steakhouse, Thai Papaya and Wayne’s Coffee,” Helminen says. www.restamax.fi/en

NORDIC BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS

Hanna Tuominen-Salo, Medical Director at HYKSin

HYKSin & Helsinki University Hospital

STATE OF THE ART – CLOSE AT HEART HYKSin offers health care services for Finnish and international private patients in the Helsinki University Hospital, where 100,000 surgeries are performed each year. The hospital ranks among the best and biggest hospitals in Europe.

elsinki University Hospital is the biggest of Finland’s university hospitals and is among the largest in Europe. Consisting of a total of 24 hospitals and specialized clinics, the hospital receives half a million patients and is responsible for 100,000 surgeries per year. With 18,000 babies delivered every year the hospital accounts for a third of Finland’s annual births. Through HYKSin, the patient will be able to receive treatment from the most experienced specialists at the different clinics of the Helsinki University Hospital. “HYKSin’s patients are treated by the university hospital’s top specialists. Our patients also benefit from the university hospital’s state-of-the-art equipment and latest evidence-based treatment methods,” Medical Director Hanna Tuominen-Salo, explains. HYKSin is focusing in demanding medical care. “Treatment of heart diseases, oncological and surgical treatment of various forms of cancer and brain surgery are every-day affairs for us. We also use robot and video-assisted surgery,” Tuominen-Salo clarifies.

OUTSTANDING MEDICAL CARE Patients also seek out treatment through HYKSin because of Finland’s reputation for outstanding medical care. “We are competent and safe. Our maternal, childbirth and postoperative mortality rates are among the lowest in the world. We also demonstrate outstanding treatment results in many medical specialties, such as cancer treatment,” Tuominen-Salo explains.

HYKSin provides Helsinki University Hospital’s medical services for international and Finnish private patients. Interested? https://www.hyksin.com/en/home

NORDIC BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS

How about setting up your online business

IN JUST 30 SECONDS?

MyCashflow is an easy-to-use e-commerce platform for online stores that makes it possible anywhere.

yCashflow is a system for online stores that enables any entrepreneur to open an online store of their own in about 30 seconds! User-friendliness is something that MyCashflow takes very seriously. “The tool is so simple that practically anyone can launch an online store and make it operational. Also, one of our greatest strengths is our excellent customer service. Our highlymotivated team does all it takes to find a way out from any situation, which is reflected in positive customer feedback from our happy customers,” explains partner Pekka Juntunen.

TRUSTED BY OVER 1,500 COMPANIES In fact, user-friendliness, the quality of the customer service and technical support are the main reasons why customers select MyCashflow. “Every day we do our best to make 10,000 people happy. And, according to our customers, we are doing a good job of this. Today, almost 20% of all stores with an online presence in Finland use our services to run their businesses online smoothly.” According to Juntunen, the service is suitable for online stores of all sizes. “Our customers include all sort of businesses, from globally listed enterprises to micro companies. We have integrated the service with all of the most important methods of payment and delivery as well as marketing tools, which are available to all of our customers at no extra costs.” MYCASHFLOW HELPS YOUR BUSINESS GO INTERNATIONAL The number of web stores is growing globally, and the volumes are also on the increase. “The beauty

MyCashflow partner Pekka Juntunen demonstrates how easy it is to launch an online store with their tool.

of this work is that we can really see the growth stories of our customers. It is great that we, for our part, can help companies grow through online business. When the online business scales up, we can easily provide the necessary additional tools. On top of that, our online store is already available in almost twenty language versions, including languages such as Icelandic, Japanese or Lithuanian. We do a lot of customer-specific projects – from Adwords marketing to online store layout development. Our Enterprise service even assists customers in product development.” NEW EXPERTS NEEDED! Juntunen explains that the company that developed MyCashflow also intends to target international markets.

“We will start the internationalisation from Estonia, after which we will expand activities to the European market. Integration on new markets presupposes local presence and knowhow, which naturally means recruiting in Finland and Estonia, and later – for example – in Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. MIA HEISKANEN

Interested? Touch base with info@mycashflow.fi www.mycashflow.fi/english

7 HANNA KNAAPI

NORDIC BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS

Tuukka Meriläinen, Deltagon Group Oy’s Product Manager

DO YOU WANT TO GAIN cost savings with security? Does your company process personal and business-critical information on a daily basis? Do you find data security to be a showstopper or even an extra cost item for your business? Deltagon’s customers think data security brings cost savings to their business operations.

ata security can easily become a bottleneck that prevents business. In our opinion, security must not be barrier to effective customer service because in reality, it can be used to streamline the operations of a company,” explains Tuukka Meriläinen, Deltagon Group Oy’s Product Manager. Meriläinen gives an example. “It may take a lot of time to get different documents signed in case using paper, pen and email. For example, in companies that operate in service industry, the amount of agreements may be growing in the office, while CEO is away. That can weaken the sales operation and customer service. With digital signature agreements can be signed anywhere with internet connection.” MORE EFFICIENT PROCESSES, MORE SATISFIED CUSTOMERS Meriläinen states that many processes could be streamlined with Deltagon’s secure digital signature, which removes the work phases of the traditional process and thus, brings significant savings. For example in construction sites there are typically lots of printed reports and minutes

to be signed manually. That is a slow way to get reports and minutes signed as the Site Manager has several construction sites to visit before the documents are ready. The papers may even get lost on the way. “Signing documents digitally makes the handling easy as the signing can be done with a tablet anywhere. The head office is also able to follow the case.” DATA SECURITY MUST NOT BE A BARRIER TO EFFECTIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE Meriläinen also raises the subject of companies’ sensitive daily communications. “These are situations, where the company sends material that contains personal data or sensitive information by post or by email. Deltagon’s solution is a secure email messaging, in which case the company can process data by email in a secure and confidential manner. Thus, customer service and the customer’s buying process are completed securely online.” HOW MUCH DOES A NON-SERVED CUSTOMER COST? Deltagon challenges companies’ decision-

makers to consider the costs that are caused by a non-served customer. “The good news is that we offer smart digital solutions, which can be combined to allow entirely electronic business operations. In addition to sales, it gives peace of mind by minimising business risks and freeing up staff for customer service instead of wasting time considering whether the processes meet requirements from the aspect of data security and law.” MIA HEISKANEN

Would you like to hear, how your company can keep up with the development? Scan the QR code

Deltagon Group Oy is a Finnish cyber security company that develops straightforward solutions for electronic communications and electronic services across a wide range of industries. www.deltagon.com

NORDIC BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS

Your ticket to tranquility.

GAINING SERENITY

at the airport Air travellers need a safe and peaceful place in the middle of busy airports. Thanks to GoSleep, now they have it.

As if by magic, the Taigalamp creates a variety of ambiances safely and cleanly. You can change the setting ambiance in no time, by using multicolored panes of glass.

Safe Ambiance With the Taigalamp, you create the ambiance of a beautiful live flame, safely and cleanly. Within a comprehensive and spectacular lamp collection you can find a variety of lamps made from materials such as driftwood, as well as handcrafted lighting solutions and those with a more modern design. By using safety sleeves and glass panes in a range of colors, the lamps can shift in no time from one ambiance to another.

he unique safety of the Taigalamp, which is designed and manufactured in Finland, is based upon a safety sleeve that extinguishes the flame immediately if the lamp tips over. The fuel oil cannot leak out, but if it somehow happens to spill, it evaporates quickly from all surfaces without leaving a trace,” explains CEO Jorma Kinnunen. The Taigalamp uses a clean mineral oil, which burns with a smokeless and odorless flame, making it possible for those individuals who are sensitive to candle fumes to enjoy the ambiance created by the Taiga. Users can light and extinguish the lamp, which works like a candle, over and over again. The burning time for a single oil capsule is approximately 40 hours, and empty capsule can be returned to the manufacturer. From autumn, Taigalamps will also be available for purchase in the online store and in retail shops in Finland and many European countries. The Taigalamp is recommended by the Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK). www.taigalyhty.fi

t’s happened to every traveller: you have a long layover and wander the terminal to find a peaceful place to relax. GoSleep Pod provides what every stressed traveller needs with a quiet, private place to work, relax or take a nap. “Passenger feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, confirming what we knew all along – this is a product that people want and need when travelling,” says Jussi Piispanen, GoSleep managing director. Building on the long history of Finnish design and technology, GoSleep Pod is a comfortable seat which can convert to a bed. Hand luggage can be safely stored under the seat while a movable screen shelters the passenger from noise and light while providing privacy. The GoSleep Pod also include charging ports for your electronic devices. “Our customers repeatedly tell us how much they appreciate the opportunity GoSleep Pods provide to escape from the hubbub of the airport and the stress of travelling, and allow them to retreat into their own little world,” Piispanen continues. The next time you are travelling and would like a place to relax, give GoSleep a try! For more information please visit the airport’s information desk. DAVID J. CORD

More than a seat GoSleep Airports Dubai DXB* Belo Horizonte Helsinki Vantaa* Finnair lounge at Helsinki Tallinn* Tokyo Haneda

Amsterdam* Mumbai Moscow SVO Beijing Hangzhou Xian

…and more coming soon. *Served by Norwegian www.gosleep.fi

NORDIC BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS

Leave behind job-offer spam and find the job that truly inspires you

As a Software developer or designer, you already know that your field is the hottest on the Nordic recruitment market right now. There are plenty of job offers, but none are the perfect fit. Too often these offers are either unrealistic (one person required to do the work of three) or they are just a similar role in a different company. With Northstar, you can stop wading through the wrong job offers because we help you get access to the companies where your new job is already waiting for you.

NORTHSTAR SERVES THE TALENT, NOT THE COMPANY Northstar is a career service that is interested in the personal career aspirations, goals and skills of each talent. Instead of spamming people with irrelevant job offers, Northstar’s talent agents use their knowledge and networks to assist talents in finding their dream jobs. “The idea is simple. First we talk to the individual about their career goals and aspirations: what they want to achieve and where would they like to work. Then we start mapping companies and job opportunities in the Nordic region that match these requirements. Once we find the perfect opportunity, we first present it to the individual and if they give the green light, we contact the company and assist the candidate throughout the hiring process,” says Joel Kinnunen, Talent Agent at Northstar. DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES – FROM START-UPS TO CORPORATIONS Northstar was originally created by IT recruiters at Barona – the biggest HR service company in Finland, operating in all the Nordic countries. “Our recruiters have worked with developers and designers for over ten years, and we saw how frustrated they were about receiving irrelevant job offers. So we wanted to create a service that helps them successfully seek for new challenges in their career,” says Joel Kinnunen.

The Northstar team consists of 30 professionals in Finland, Sweden and Denmark, who all have wide networks within IT and interests in new technologies. For example, Joel says, “One of the best parts of my job is the fact that I am constantly learning something new – both about new tech and different companies. But even better, I get to interact with motivated, skilled people every day!” “We work with all kinds of companies, from start-ups and tech companies to big corporations that are heavily investing in new technologies. Opening doors to these companies for the right talent is easier for us – we understand their company culture and what kind of competence they need and can easily see how they would support the growth of the talents we work with,” says Joel. MIA HEISKANEN

INTERESTED IN NEW OPPORTUNITIES? So if you are working with technology and interested in taking new career steps, take a look at northstarjobs.io. The service is free for the talent. Join us by filling in an simple form, or contact one of our talent agents directly. We’ll help you take that step so your career can reach new heights! Northstar powered by Barona IT

CONTACT:

Joel Kinnunen Talent Agent - Finland joel@northstarjobs.io

Lotta Lehmusvuori Talent Agent - Sweden lotta@northstarjobs.io

Michael Chang Talent Agent - Denmark michael@northstarjobs.io

JOIN NOW: NORTHSTARJOBS.IO

10 NORDIC BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS

BESASE PRODUCES FIRE SAFETY SOLUTIONS

with an exceptional customer service attitude Besase Oy is a Finnish expert and family business in automatic fire extinguishing systems, and the company’s main aim is to help you choose the most sustainable fire extinguishing system or service that best meets your needs. The company is also an innovative developer in its industry.

he starting point for our operations is a solution-oriented customer service attitude. We are a company independent from any system and device suppliers, in other words we do not persistently deliver only one manufacturer’s product, but instead the aim is to cooperate with the customer and find a system or service that is most suitable for the customer’s needs,” says CEO Kimmo Metso. Sales Director Outi Metso adds that the company wants to make a difference in developing the industry, which is perceived to be rather traditional. “A good example is the world of care homes, where we understand the everyday life of employees and residents, instead of merely providing a technical solution. We communicate with the client in an

understandable manner and we conclude the suppression system project in a resident-friendly and sustainable manner.” EVERYONE IS A WINNER IN THE BESASE CARE SERVICE Besase has also been involved in VTT’s projects in the development of installation work services of extinguishing systems. “With the Besase Care service, the renovation work of care homes is implemented so that residents do not need to be relocated to different premises for the duration of the renovation. Humane perspectives are emphasised in terms of the residents, and the municipality and care home entrepreneur achieve economic benefits,” says Kimmo Metso. MIA HEISKANEN

Did you know?

Besase also delivers projects to other Nordic countries. The company’s service portfolio also includes international consultations. Ask us for more information at www.besase.com or by calling Outi Metso +358 290 020 021

Ideal product lifecycle solutions

Ilkka Karvonen, IDEAL PLM’s business development manager

HANNA KNAAPI

It is no longer a one-size-fits-all world. Industrial companies increasingly look to IDEAL PLM for Engineer-to-Order process automation.

he business model is changing away from mass-produced items,” says Ilkka Karvonen, IDEAL PLM’s business development manager. “You can even see this in products such as tennis shoes. This focus on tailored products is also prevalent in industrial firms.” IDEAL PLM helps companies across the Nordic region take advantage of digitalisation with product lifestyle solutions. Through their partnership with Siemens, IDEAL PLM empowers manufacturers who need tailored solutions for their unique environment. “This changes the engineering process,” Karvonen continues. “You can increase speed, improve quality, lower costs, get better service and capture that knowledge. We build a bridge between Sales and Engineering, so sales people have all the information and tools they need to help their customers.” One example is Seco, one of the world’s largest providers of comprehensive metal cutting solutions for milling, stationary tools, holemaking and tooling systems, who with the support of IDEAL PLM extended their customer portal to

include customised products. They have connected Product Data Management, CAD, Language Translation and Quote Management Systems into one consolidated solution to improve customer order processes. ”The possibility to connect the entire workflow for customized products enables automation of the supply process and thereby increasing the productivity and efficiency of Seco as a company, and at the same time connecting us with customers as well as shortening delivery times,” says Helena Söderström, Vice President Marketing & Product Line. “We are always looking ahead and helping our customers for the future,” Karvonen concludes. “Our ambition is to offer a solution which improves flexibility and the bottom line.” DAVID J. CORD

www.idealplm.com

NORDIC BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS 11

Movetec offers more than components

Movetec is committed to quality and safety and received the ISO 9001 certification this spring.

f you’ve flown through Helsinki airport you might have noticed the big Movetec sign on the roof of an impressive building. If your company is involved with automation, mechanics or industrial IoT, maybe you should see the inside. Movetec is a specialist in mechatronics, the mix of mechanical engineering, electronics and industrial IoT. They have helped industrial firms ranging from huge multinationals to smaller and mid-sized companies. Movetec is part of the Addtech Group, a publicly listed company in Sweden which comprises about 140 technical trading companies in 20 countries. GOAL: ADD VALUE “One of the most important things for us is added value,” says Movetec CEO Markku Suominen. “It has always been the key factor in our growth and will play an even bigger role in the future.” Movetec provides a variety of solutions, from industrial IoT to mechatronics, from motors and drives to machine vision. They offer consulting; technical sales and support; machining,

Movetec’s goal is to add value to industrial companies through their expertise in automation, mechanics and the industrial IoT. systems installation and design; preassembly; warehousing and marketing. “We provide top-quality consultation from our knowledgeable and experienced employees,” Suominen continues. “We make sure we get the right solutions for our customers. Our suppliers are global brands who possess good engineering and technical knowhow.” BUILDING THE FUTURE In 2018 Movetec celebrates the 30th anniversary of their founding. Suominen has been with the company for the duration and this autumn is handing over the CEO position to his 30-yearold competent successor Joonas Koski, who has worked at Movetec for three years in various roles.

“I think we have been so successful because there is such a good feeling in the company,” Suominen says. “We get together for sports, hobbies and parties, like for our 30th anniversary. Of course, we are always trying to hire the best talent, but we also see a lot of long careers because people like to work here and have a lot of fun.” Movetec can look back on its years of adding value to their customers, and, if anything, the future opportunities look very good. “There has been a great evolution in the industry over three decades,” says Suominen. “We have grown organically and through acquisitions and always focus on the needs of our customers. Our vision is to become the leading supplier of mechatronics, automation and industrial IoT in Finland.” DAVID J. CORD www.movetec.fi

12 NORDIC BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS

Ateljee seating series (1964), Karuselli lounge chair (1965) and Remmi chair are Yrjö Kukkapuro’s classics.

KUKKAPURO’S AGELESS DESIGNS hosted in Europe by Modeo Yrjö Kukkapuro is one of the most legendary Finnish interior architects and designers.

rjö Kukkapuro’s career, which has spanned sixty years is exceptional: he has received multiple international awards and his pieces are included in the collections of leading design museums, such as MoMa of New York, Victoria and Albert Museum, London and Vitra Museum. He has a very unique vision and way of thinking. Many of his very modern creations, such as the Ateljee seating series (1964), Karuselli lounge chair (1965) and Remmi chair (1969) have become modern classics. Remmi, for instance, is a great chair for laptop working! Beauty, sustainability and usability are at the very core of his work. We’re proud to host these stunning pieces under our roof,” says Modeo’s Yrjö Kukkapuro Product specialist Nina Hultkrantz. Earlier this year, the Finnish company Modeo secured exclusive rights to the major part of Yrjö Kukkapuro’s furniture collection for the European markets. Kukkapuro visited Modeo in the early stages of the co-operation and made quite an impression on everyone. This is clearly a business affair of mutual respect.

“You have to remember, he is over 80 years old but as sharp as ever! The designer in him is very much still in there. He is boldly trying new things. In Asia, Kukkapuro is very well known and has a large following. People of all ages are attracted to his designs. It’s no wonder: they are done with such precision and functionality that time actually just enhances their power. The new central library Oodi in Helsinki will feature Kukkapuro’s classics as well as newer pieces from the 2000s.”

it. They want sustainable, high quality furniture that stands the test of time. We want to bring simplicity into complex projects. The products may come from around the world, but our customers need only communicate with us. We make life simpler for our customers”, concludes Hultkrantz. KATI KETURI

MODEO HAS A FRONT-ROW SEAT TO THE CHANGES IN THEIR INDUSTRY Decision makers are becoming bolder in utilising their office spaces. Companies are more invested in creating functional yet enjoyable offices, thus giving a boost to the work done there. “The way people work has changed and the industry with it. Multi-functional work environments are in demand. This requires movable walls, spaces for quiet work as well as co-working. Customers are also highly aware of quality. Cheap, lower quality furniture won’t cut

• B-to-b furniture supplier and interior design agency • Founded in 2006 • Main showroom, HQ and warehouse located in Helsinki • Showrooms in cities around Finland: Turku, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Oulu, Pori, Lappenranta, Mikkeli, Rovaniemi, Kajaani and Ranua • Supplier of office furniture for the Finnish government as well as various cities nina.hultkrantz@modeo.fi www.yrjokukkapuro.com and www.modeo.fi