Professionals Q2 2016

Professionals Professionals is a commercial supplement produced by Editor Helsinki | May 2016 | w w w.editori.fi

Become a REDI tenant

Fintech company Fixura is reshaping the financial sector page 4

Development and evolution are important concepts for Kraftmek

page 6

page 10

Walki curbs climate change with smart building materials page 12

Intopalo’s customers succeed in the Industrial Internet | page 5

A green roof is the crown of a building | page 8

The fast track for Cleantech companies to reach the world | page 14

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Contents

Dear reader,

2 Toptaste.fi helps you find the best restaurants 3 Easy Soda cap will revolutionize the beverage market

This issue of Professionals gives you an insight into companies active in international markets. They will tell customers about their solutions and services. Innovations, competence, 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 magazine.

4 Peer-to-peer pioneer 5 Intopalo’s customers succeed in the Industrial Internet 6 Become a REDI tenant 7 Renewing the heart and brain of a lift 8 A green roof is the crown of a building 10 Developing Kraftmek 11 The spider in the energy-cluster web

Professionals is a publication produced by Editor Helsinki.

Editor Helsinki is an independent expert in business communications. We work in close cooperation with the leading media houses and reach the business decision makers in Finland.

– VEO from Vaasa is recruiting new energy experts

12 Walki curbs climate change with smart building materials

PRPof Po R on Res al fe o s fsI es Io nn sIo asa ls ls Professionals is a commercial supplement produced Profess ionals

by Editor Helsinki | Profe May 2016 | w w w.editori.fi isssion a commer als is cial supplem ent a comm produce d ercia l supp lemen t by Editor Helsink i | May 2016 produ ced | w w w.editor

by Edito i.fi r Helsi nki | May 2016 | w w w.edi

fintech company fintech fincom fixura is tecghpany reshapin the compan ra fix financiafixu isura y resh l sector isapin g the reshap finanfina cial nci ing the sect alor sector page 4 page 4

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13 Moving an Airbus A350

For additional information, please contact Valtteri Rantalainen, +358 40 561 7703.

– Solving makes heavy load handling easy

Development and DeveDe evolutio velent n lopm opmand importan t and ent evolare evo ution concept luti are s for Kraftme onimpo k imp are rtant conc con epts cep fortsKraf page 10 tmekortant for Kra page 10page ftmek 10

to reach the world 16 Airtight solution for transportation of liquids

Photo: Royal Ravintolat, ravintola Elite

Photo: Royal Ravintolat, ravintola Elite

Feedback to Editor Helsinki Oy: tuotanto@editorhelsinki.fi | +358 40 561 7703 | www.editori.fi | www.editorhelsinki.fi |

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Production team: Managing producer: Valtteri Rantalainen.

Layout: Pirja Suotamo. Editors: Maija-Liisa Saksa (MLS), Mia Heiskanen (MH). Cover photo by SRV. Printed by PunaMusta.

14 The fast track for Cleantech companies

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The fast track for Cleantech enterprises to reach the world | page The fast14track for Cleante enterprises ch to reach the The fast world | page enterprise track 14 for Cleantech s to reach the world | page 14

helps you find the best restaurants. Toptaste.fi is a new Finnish food and restaurant site providing information on current news, trends, phenomena and artists in the world of food.

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heir service showcases the top players in all categories – artists, events, chefs and restaurateurs in Helsinki, all of Finland, as well as nearby neighbours including Estonia. The idea is to provide information about various chefs, their kitchen philosophies and to introduce outsiders to a restaurant’s other important characteristics and - of course to tell the story of each restaurant in a different way.

You can find interesting restaurant presentations and other stories in Toptaste newsfeed from Helsinki, Tallinn, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Åland, Tampere or even Kotka. Or, in other words, the best answers to the

» www.toptaste.fi

questions, “Where are we going to eat?, Do you know a nice restaurant?”

Toptaste.fi provides daily live updates about interesting restaurants and food news, so check out the site!

At the moment, the majority of content is in Finnish, but the amount of English-language content is growing and the aim is to have all restaurants presentations and other interesting content translated into English.

Tell us about your favourite restaurant!

Have we missed your favourite Helsinki restaurant? Recommend one to us by sending a message to tuotanto@toptaste.fi

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Tommi Ketola, who is responsible for the sales shows, demonstrating how the Easy Soda cap works. “Each package contains illustrated instructions.”

Easy Soda cap will revolutionize the beverage market The astounding innovation - Easy Soda cap, from the Finnish company Limonade changes water into lemonade.

The small cap neatly produces half a litre of soft drink.

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sing the product is simple. “Fill a bottle with water, screw the cap onto the bottle until you hear a click and the flavouring begins to fill the bottle. Turn the bottle upside down, one more twist, then the carbon dioxide is released directly into the bottle and the drink is ready,” says the inventor and the CEO of Limonade Oy, Kaj Pelamo.

With an Easy Soda soft drink cap, you can create half a litre of carbonated beverage by yourself! Choose your favourite flavour, release the flavouring and carbon dioxide into the bottle, and enjoy!

Low-calorie soft drink

One Easy Soda cap produces half a litre of ready made drink and include four flavours: Lemon, Cola, Orange and Vichy. “We started with the familiar flavours, since the product is still new.

There are limitless possibilities to produce different flavors variations, though,” states Pelamo. This summer, the company already has plans to present new vitaminized drinks and bring more flavors to the market.

Easy Soda drinks are healthier alternatives to traditional soft drinks. “We used sucralose for sweetening, so Easy Soda drinks are low-calorie.

For example the orange drink has no sugar at all.”

The most ecological soft drink on the market

The biggest advantage of Pelamo’s newest invention is that it takes up very little space, from the point of view of both the retail and the consumer. “A lift truck pallet can hold 30,000

caps, while it can only hold 1,500 lemonade bottles.” The same ratio also applies to retail store’ shelf spaces. Delivery logistics are also ecological, as one delivery can contain many times more drink caps than bottles. The cap is produced from recycled materials and is recyclable yet again once used, so we could say; that Easy Soda is the most ecological soft drink on the market.

You can easily take the drink cap with you everywhere, for example, when travelling on holiday or during sports activities. “Many a boat owner will tell you that there is limited space on a boat, but now you can take soft drinks with you.” You can also easily take an Easy Soda cap with you in your flight’s carry-on or put it into your athletic equipment bag.

Towards the international market

In April, large Finnish retail chains began selling Easy Soda-bottle caps to their customers. “Such a high level of demand in Finland was unexpected, but the really big surprise has been the huge international interest in the product,” Pelamo remarks.

Limonade is negotiating its first export order of 14 million caps and the business is planning to begin export to 42 other countries.

“Currently, we are negotiating in 35 countries.

Thus, we are aiming at going in strong to the international market,” Pelamo says. TEXT: MH | www.easysoda.eu |

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Peer-to-peer pioneer Fintech company Fixura is reshaping the financial sector

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igitalisation is shaking up one sector after another. Today, Uber has become one of the world’s biggest taxi companies without owning a single car, and Airbnb is challenging the hotel industry despite not owning a single property.

The same trend is currently also evident in the financial sector, through the rise of so-called fintech (financial technology) companies. One of the leading Finnish companies in this field is Fixura, who are challenging banks and other traditional financial institutions by helping people

“In the digital era, the customers are increasingly a part of the service.” to borrow and invest money.

“Our website works as a go-between for people who want to borrow or invest money. Both customer groups state their conditions for the loans,

and when supply and demand match, loans are created in real-time. Thanks to everything being automated, we can keep the fees low for the customers,” CEO Mirja Palola explains.

This type of business is called peer-to-peer lending. Despite the phenomenon being less than ten years old, the sector is growing rapidly and becoming increasingly established; in the US a company in this field has already been listed.

In addition to being part of the fintech trend, peer-to-peer lending is also a part of the new sharing economy. The common denominator for disruptive businesses like peer-to-peer lending companies is that they challenge old institutions and business models. One of the main differences is that the line between the customer and service producer is not as clear in the digital world.

“In the digital era, the customers are increasingly a part of the service. The role of the companies is more about creating the conditions for collaboration. By offering a technical platform you facilitate transactions and interaction between people,” Palola says.

Fixura started operations in 2010 and is the oldest and largest peer-to-peer lending company in the Nordics. Since the start, the company has been able to offer investors annual returns of over 10 per cent on average. In 2015, the company received great recognition when Business Insider listed Fixura as one of the most exciting fintech businesses in the Nordic countries.

As the peer-to-peer lending sector is so new, there was no legal framework governing it in Finland for a long time. However, Fixura has always operated as if the sector was regulated, by setting ethical standards for its operations. This is evident, for example, in the clear insider trading rules that the management must follow.

“It has been a bit of a Wild West scenario since there have been no clear rules. We welcome the regulation as it means a level playing field for all peer-to-peer lending businesses.”

Fixura • Business sector: Peer-to-peer lending • Arranged loans in total: €52million (by 04/2016) • Number of customers: 70,000 • Annual average return for investors: 10.3% www.fixura.fi

“Since the start, we have been able to offer investment customers returns of over 10 per cent on average,” Mirja Palola points out.

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Intopalo’s customers succeed in the Industrial Internet Intopalo (meaning ‘zealous fire’) is a fast-growing software services provider operating with international product development companies. “In addition to providing technical expertise, we take into account the nature and organizational model of our customers. This is what makes our partnerships successful,” says managing director Juha Latvala.

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ntopalo’s key areas of expertise include new software technologies, cyber security and machine learning. “Our customers are interested in both increasing the efficiency of their existing operations and seeking out new business opportunities,” Latvala explains.

“Irrespective of your business domain, you should not stay behind when it comes to industrial internet.”

Business advantage from software solutions

A customer’s business environment defines the nature of the partnership. Intopalo and AGCO Power partnered to create an industrial internet system that significantly improved the transparency and manageability of diesel engine control system software. “The technology expertise of Intopalo is exceptional, and it supports our projects in the industrial internet,” says Development Manager Ari Konttinen at AGCO Power.

To move forward or to stay put?

The message that Latvala wishes to stress is that irrespective of your business domain, you should not stay behind when it comes to industrial internet. “You should not assume that

technological advancements will not affect your business. We will see a huge difference over the next five years between companies that have made the change compared to those who decide to remain on the sidelines. I believe that companies that move forward now will reap a significant amount of competitive advantage compared to their competition.”

Professional insights or drivers of change

Intopalo’s R&D cells can help companies succeed in a number of ways. “We can provide a multitude of expertise for our customers: software developers, architects and security experts. We can take the lead of a project altogether. We offer

an expert view into how the industrial internet should be approached in relation to a company’s own goals,” describesINTOPALO Latvala.

COLORS An “R&D cell” (a term coined by Intopalo) is a modern way of offering expert services. The aim of the model is to provide more value in various stages of a customer’s product development initiatives. A defining criteria of Intopalo’s success is the success of its customers. TEXT: MH PMS COLORS

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Intopalo Oy • RGB COLORS Insinöörinkatu 41 | FI-33720 Tampere FINLAND • info@ intopalo.com • Telephone: +358 50 374 7299 • customer references: 19/61/103 www.intopalo.com/references • turnover in 2015: € 2.5 million • number of employees: 31 www.intopalo.com

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This is REDI

60000

500

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m2 of retail space, in the new heart of Helsinki.

metro stops per day.

million visitors in its first full year expected.

Become a REDI tenant Be a part of creating a next generation shopping experience.

REDI is a novel, one-of-a-kind shopping centre and landmark in Finland with a 60,000m² of retail space in be the fastest expanding and most densely populated area in the entire capital region.

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ituated in downtown Helsinki in Finland, REDI´s location is unique in many ways.

Accessible by metro, bus, tram, car, bicycle, foot and boat, REDI is a place that combines shopping and modern living with urban culture in a brand new way – stretching 132 meters towards the sky.

With retail distributed across four floors, REDI is surrounded by Helsinki´s trendiest neighbourhoods and attractions e.g. music festivals and events. The area is known for its versatile leisure activity options. The iconic Helsinki Zoo is also situated within walking distance from REDI. Upon completion in 2018, REDI will be the most modern shopping destination in downtown Helsinki. Easily accessible, it is the only neighbourhood in the city to have daily and specialty retail, entertainment and high-rise living under one roof – surrounded by urban parks and the sea.

REDI has a catchment area of 1,1 million

people, who live within a 30-minute drive from REDI. In the next few years, with an estimated population growth of 30% by 2022, the REDI area is the neighborhood of the future on all levels.

REDI is backed by an investment consortium that includes owners SRV, Ilmarinen, OP Pohjola Group and LocalTapiola Group, as well as banking syndicate of OP, Nordea, Helaba, Danske Bank and Swedbank AB. With building permit, investors and funding in place, things are moving fast at REDI. Construction works are proceeding rapidly and leasing is underway… will you be one of the tenants? | www.redi.fi/en | www.srv.fi/en | TEXT: MLS

Contact us today!

REDI Shopping Centre Pia Svensk Commercial Director +358 50 389 0569 pia.svensk@srv.fi Jonna Majanen Leasing Manager +358 45 110 8802 jonna.majanen@srv.fi Sofia Palin Specialist, Leasing +358 40 656 5051 sofia.palin@srv.fi Kristina Bäckmark Specialist, Leasing +358 44 712 9232 kristina.backmark@srv.fi

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Antti Heinämäki from Suomen Hissiurakointi recommends updating safety and usability of old lifts. “When a lift has been upgraded, you should take care of its maintenance.

We also offer comprehensive maintenance packages to our customers.”

Renewing the heart and brain of a lift Old lifts in valuable real estate are often examples of elaborate and spectacular craftsmanship. The older the lift in question, the further away it is from today’s usability and safety standards. Suomen Hissiurakointi modernises lifts, while retaining their valuable spirit.

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uomen Hissiurakointi has worked throughout the country with installations and maintenance that have effectively covered the entire history of Finnish lift installations, throughout the country. Antti Heinämäki, CEO of the traditional family business, says that the oldest lifts that are still used and maintained are from the beginning of the 1900s.

“Some lifts are actually like a piece of history with machine rooms that are patinated completely black,” smiles Heinämäki.

Although old lifts in highly valued real estate are originally of meticulous craftsmanship and quality, it is a fact that the older the lift gets the further it is apart from modern day safety regulations.

“When the lift begins to become defective, it

is necessary to think about a long term corrective action plan.”

“One example is ‘floor accuracy’, which describes the older lift not being even with the floor level, causing many accidents every year.

Travelling with an old lift may also be a rather unsmooth experience.”

“Typically, modernisation project includes the modernisation of both the machinery and the control system of a lift.” Further, installing a phone connection in a lift improves safety. “All in all, the modernisation means that the heart and the brain of the lift are replaced but the original soul of the lift is retained.”

In modernisation projects, the new and the old must co-exist: often customers have a desire to change the appearance of the lift as little as possible.

“Some lifts are actually like a piece of history with machine rooms that are patinated completely black.”

Sometimes you may need to return a lift to its original condition. “In connection with modernisations, we also undertake restoration projects, whereby a lift is restored to its original appearance that might have been lost e.g. due to an earlier renovation. A careful restoration means that elements are sometimes replaced using handmade components.” | www.hissiurakointi.com |

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A green roof is the crown of a building

The roof of a building does not have to be a boring empty space.

As a green space – it is elevated into becoming the building’s crown.

Icopal Green provides you with unlimited possibilities for creating your green roof.

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here are many different kinds of green roofs–from quaint roofs on lawn buildings to decks of a thousand square metres or more! Not many people may have considered that car parks are often constructed with green roofs. Product manager at Icopal, Mikko Nikander, reports, “Icopal has built many green roofs, but the vast majority of them are such that an ordinary pedestrian does not perceive them as a green roof. A good example is the square in front of the Helsinki Music Centre – with its lawn areas and planting pools. In reality, this space is actually the green roof of the Helsinki Music Centre below the square”.

In compact city construction, a green roof allows for the best utilization of a building’s roof, for example, as a place where a lounge area could be built. “There is even the possibility of growing trees on a green roof, as long as the structures are sufficiently durable and designed in correct accordance with the intended use. A good example is the Tampere University of Technology Campus arena green roof which functions as a versatile roof, terrace and lounge area”, adds Nikander

A well-done base is a durable base

There may be many who consider the construction of a green roof to be burdensome.

“A green roof certainly requires more than the usual roof sub-structures, but if the groundwork is done well, it saves the roof structures from wear and tear, and thus, it is actually a long-lasting option. A green roof’s soil can better protect its waterproofing structures from the ravages of time, and even temperature fluctuations.”

The green roof in front of the Helsinki Music Centre.

Nikander emphasizes that green roofs increase the weight of a roof, so the carrying capacity of the roof in question must always be checked prior to its construction. “It is a priority to ensure the quality of the roof’s waterproofing, and root protection, so that moisture and plant roots do not damage the structures. Icopal Green offers reliable solutions, perfected by experience, for waterproofing and drainage layers for steep or flat green roofs”.

Did you know?

Green roofs take on rainwater, delaying when it reaches the drains. This helps the environment as it gives sewers more time to take in water, reducing flooded streets. A properly designed green roof alleviates the total amount of stormwater by 5080%. Source: Wikipedia. TEXT: MH | www.icopal.com |

The green roof of Tampere’s Campus arena

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ampere’s Campus arena is the central point of the Tampere University of Technology, and acts as a little town that is home to students, researchers, businesses, and other top professionals. The building itself was built by Suomen Yliopistokiinteistöt Oy and meets the needs of the University and its business in a unique way. Consisting of a high business tower and a two-storey stand, the building’s roof is sloped to connect to its yard.

“The roof, and the stand, are implemented according to the architect’s original concept in such a

< The green roof of Tampere’s Campus arena in Tampere University of Technology.

way that the building’s front lawn is continued onto the roof of the stand; making it connected as a rising green roof,” tells Aki Havia, the construction and maintenance director of Suomen Yliopistokiinteistöt Oy. Helping manage stormwater

The Hervanta area, according to Havia, has had problems managing stormwater over the years. “Yet on the basis of this experience, it seems that the green roof facilitates better stormwater management. Which means, not only has it proven tow be a good solution aesthetically, it’s also beneficial from a technical point of view.”

Thoroughfare and grandstand roofs

Havia believes that a green roof is a good option, as long as the location is correct. “If you build a narrow, tall building, the roof will be invisible.” Campus arena is an ideal place for a green roof, the roof is visible, so it brings real added value to campus users. As for the vegetation, it could even be called a rooftop garden. The surface of the ramp section is grass covered, and has even been used as a podium for an open-air concert. Walking lanes have been built over the building and the entrance to the tower can be found on the roof, meaning that you can walk on the rooftop while admiring the surrounding landscape. TEXT: MH

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Kraftmek delivers key components for power transmission; (flexible couplings, chain drives, belt drives), as well as bearings for different industry requirements.

Developing Kraftmek Development and evolution are important concepts for every Kraftmek team member. Kraftmek’s goal is to be the best employer, with the best technical knowledge available as a consulting wholesaler of industrial transmissions and bearings.

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he company’s work atmosphere is a particular point of pride for CEO Ilpo Pinola of Kraftmek Oy. Recent survey results showed such great feedback on the existing work atmosphere, that the CEO was almost more delighted than when the sales results (also excellent!) had been reported.

“Our good working environment means continued commitment from our staff and ensures the continuity of high-quality services for our customers. Our results also show that a company in the traditional sector can renew itself and continue developing its company practices and image.” Pinola recounts, as a recent example, that last year the company was presented with the Subcontracting Fair’s Best Fair Section award.

What Pinola deems more important than ever though, is maintaining the company’s values which include acting with respect for others, co-

In order to keep their customer service completely error-free, Kraftmek Oy must be proactive and consider what is best for many different areas of industry.

“We listen to our customers and react to their needs; advising and instructing them individually at each stage of their projects. We have over 40 years of experience in designing the highest quality components for many different types of industries.

We also offer the experience and know-how needed to help with the most demanding applications used in mobile equipment. Moreover, we offer all of our customers global expertise and specialized information from leading manufacturers in the field about new innovations they may be interested in. In addition to all of this though, our fast and absolutely reliable logistics services ensure a smooth experience for all customers,” says Sales Manager of Kraftmek, Mikko Vaaraniemi. TEXT: MLS

Kraftmek has invested in a wide range of employee benefits. A comfortable atmosphere and good employment environment help them serve customers in the best ways possible. From left to right; Jarkko Lamminpohja, Anna Kallijärvi, Janne Stenman, Sami Eklöf, Pauliina Savolainen and Ilpo Pinola.

| www.kraftmek.com |

operation and a good spirit in the organization.

“We want to serve our customers and ourselves in the best way possible, in all situations. The realization of our values and visions requires continuous development for both ourselves and our actions.”

Kraftmek Oy is a part of the international Addtech group.

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Finnish energy expert VEO is doing very well at the moment.

The company is therefore recruiting several new energy experts.

The spider in the energy-cluster web VEO from Vaasa is recruiting new energy experts VEO could be described as a real spider in the Vaasa region’s energy-cluster web. The company supplies electrification and automation solutions and has a longstanding relationship with many of the leading energy technology companies in the region – e.g. Wärtsilä and Danfoss.

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espite the economic downturn, VEO is currently doing well and hiring new energy experts. So, what is the secret behind their success?

“We operate in several business sectors, which is a clear advantage in economically challenging times”, explains CEO Marko Ekman. “There are some stronger segments where the demand for our solutions is growing. The power distribution and process industry business segments are doing particularly well at the moment.”

VEO has strongly increased its activities in Norway and Sweden during the last few years Lately, VEO has signed several new partnership agreements, one example being with Norwegian hydropower company, Eidsiva Vannkraft AS. According to Marko Ekman, partnership agreements are an indication of a change in the industry.

“As investment decisions today often are postponed, it means that projects are carried out with

very tight schedules. This in turn means that there is a great need for a reliable and experienced partner, who is able to comply with budgets and guarantee high quality as well as prompt deliveries.”

Against this background, the determination to keep VEO’s own switchgear factory in Vaasa has proven to be a great decision. The factory, which is the largest of its kind in the Nordic countries, enables VEO to carry out fast and reliable deliveries.

“Thanks to our development investments and close cooperation with our customers during the last decades, we now have all the essential products for demanding automation and electrification solutions.”

All of VEO’s projects enhance energy efficiency, and renewable energy is an important business area. VEO holds a very strong position in the domestic market in Finland, especially when it comes to electrifying wind farms and modernizing hydropower plants. In recent years,

the company has also taken major steps forward on the Norwegian and Swedish markets.

“We have for example, delivered wind farm electrification to Norway, Sweden and Finland.

At the moment all Nordic countries are investing in renewables and we are very involved in the development process. We are also partners with Swedish Electrical and Power Control AB in Sweden. It is a company with experienced excitation specialists, and the business has started very well.”

Facts • Business sector: Automation and electrification systems • Turnover 2015: € 74 million • Employees: 350 • Export: 70% • Major markets: The Nordic countries and the United Kingdom www.veo.fi www.veopedia.fi

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^ Quality, environmentally-friendly and customer orientation drive Walki’s development efforts, says CEO Leif Frilund. < Efficient insulation is not just about capturing heat.

Walki’s innovation makes sure that the building breathes properly, important for hindering decay and mold.

Walki curbs climate change with smart building materials Isolating our homes can make a big difference when it comes to global warming. And your electricity bill too.

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eating up our houses and putting our household appliances to work consumes up to 41 per cent of the total energy we use. Making sure your house is sufficiently isolated does not only show up on your electricity bill, it is also effective in curbing climate change.

But there is more to isolation than just capturing heat. Too much insulation and you’ll end up with excessive moisture which can cause decay and mould.

Finland-based Walki Group has developed a number of fibre innovations that not only keeps the heat inside but also controls moisture.

“The thin-coated fibre material holds off moisture from external sources, and interior moisture is also released outwards via the fibre.

A house that is “breathing properly” is a healthy house to live in”, explains CEO Leif Frilund.

The insulation coatings with fibre developed by Walki are mainly manufactured with extrusion coating technology. The produced laminates constitute a vital part of high efficiency and lowcarbon insulation materials, which are used in constructing of zero or low-energy houses and buildings. Resource efficiency, that is using less material than others in the market, does not only lead to energy savings but provides more living space too.

Listening to customers

High-quality, environmentally friendly materials is the starting point when Walki develops its solutions. The company also takes cues from its customers on what they need.

“The customer has always played a key role in our production and innovation processes,” says Frilund.

But it’s not just about products. Customers expect nothing but excellent service throughout the delivery process. Walki has developed effective and accountable processes to make sure that everything from placing an order to delivery and after sales is done with the customer’s benefit in mind. Capacity plays an important role too; customers need to be able to trust that Walki can deliver on short notice.

In April, Walki opened a second production line for producing high performance insulation facings in Valkeakoski. In addition, the pilot plant equipment of the Group’s research and development facility, which is located in connection to the Pietarsaari plant, has also been upgraded to the latest standards.

“Investing in Finland is worth doing. We have great chemical and material engineering experts here,” praises Frilund.

Listening carefully to what customers have to say and investing in capacity has paid off: net sales for 2015 net sales increased by six per cent compared to 2014.

“True to our mission statement, we will continue to develop and introduce new customer solutions which are both resource efficient and improve the living standards of our homes”; says Frilund. | www.walki.com |

Walki’s 85 years in business » Founded in Valkeakoski, Finland in 1930. » Manufacturer of multi-layer laminates and

membranes for insulation materials and moisture control purposes in housing. Walki also produces renewable and recyclable packaging materials for both food stuff and industrial goods. » More than 1300 customers in more than 70 countries. » Headquartered in Espoo, Finland. Factories in10 locations; two in Finland (Valkeakoski and Pietarsari), Poland, Russia, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and China. » Number of employment: 925 » Net sales in 2015: 321 MEUR

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Several parts for an Airbus A350 are moved with Solving Movers.

MOVING AN AIRBUS A350 Solving makes heavy load handling easy Solving has been developing systems to handle heavy loads for almost 40 years.

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), wheeled and air bearing-based equipment are used for moving a variety of industrial loads in factories.

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sing the latest in air-film and AGV technology, Solving’s range of Movers is designed to move loads of up to 500 tonnes or more, either through an operator control or by using computerised automation.

Solving Movers are developed to suit every conceivable requirement in the world of industrial material handling. Our customer-specific handling systems are designed with movement patterns and frequencies in mind, as well as variations in size and weight as products go through various processes.

With Solving Movers an easy, safe and efficient

“For customers requiring more than the standard handling solutions.” handling of heavy loads through manufacturing and production processes is ensured. From planes, boats and trains, to paper and steel, almost every field of industry worldwide has adopted Solving Movers to help improve efficiency, flexibility and reliability.

^ Australian company Wilson Transformer use Solving Air Film Movers for moving 400-t transformers.

^ An Air Film Mover from Solving assists in NASA’s “People to Mars” project.

< Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars are produced on Solving Automated Guided Vehicles.

www.solving.com Follow Solving on

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The fast track for Cleantech companies to reach the world The Nordic Innovation Accelerator (NIA) service for Cleantech companies is one of a kind. Among the beneficiaries are large global innovative companies, up-and-coming innovative cleantech companies and investors looking for sound investments for their capital.

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he NIA online service is more than a standard web page. It is a platform on which large companies can open a challenge to find new, innovative solutions to their existing problems. Thanks to NIA, the challenge is visible in all the Nordic countries and Estonia. Companies in the participating countries can use the NIA’s fast track directly with the push of a button and offer their own solutions to the challenge. In addition, small businesses can use the platform free of charge to introduce their own expertise, while connecting with new partners.

For investors NIA also provides the opportunity­to seek out suitable investments, such as small growing companies that have already worked in cooperation with a large company.

The Managing Director of Nordic Innovation Accelerator Ltd, Nina Harjula, is excited about the expansion of the service into all of the Nordic countries and Estonia.

“For investors NIA also provides the opportunity to seek out suitable investments.”

“The network of Finnish cleantech companies is a relatively small player in the world and it is difficult to reach global corporations as clients. Aside from Cleantech Finland, NIA is now also working with Swedish Cleantech, Danish CLEAN, Norwegian OREEC and Startup Estonia. These main partners run their own networks in their respective countries. These networks have over six thousand growing innovative clean technology companies.”

NIA provides a powerful set of tools for each user group. It is also a unique pan-Nordic platform, which is being developed with

determination and allows companies to network in order to help them develop cooperation.

Process Genius Oy from Joensuu is one of the companies that has utilised NIA’s fast track.

“We were chosen as one of Fortum’s partners last year. Our company creates virtual interfaces, and this cooperation has had a revolutionary impact on the development of our company,” says Managing Director Jani Akkila.

The concept of NIA has already created good results and operations will be expanded.

“We are negotiating with new partners around the world and the aim is that, by the end of the year, we will plan to have similar self-service platforms operational and be communicating with each other across the continents. Therefore, for example, a challenge opened in China would also be visible simultaneously on every service platform,” Harjula explains the new enormous growth potential for small businesses that are being delivered by NIA. TEXT: MLS | www.nia.fi |

Cleantech Venture Day 2016

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he Cleantech Venture Day, which is due to be held in early October, will help private equity investors and growing businesses come together. This will be the eleventh such venture capital event and is one of the most important and most popular in Europe.

The compactness and efficiency of the event guarantees that it will pique the interest of investors.

“The investors know that they will meet screened companies from Finland, other Nordic countries and the Baltic countries that are offering new approaches,” says Nina Harjula, Managing Director of Nordic Innovation Accelerator Oy. Digital revolution in cleantech is here: we connect the dots and find out what is happening in the world of IoT, Robotics combined with the new generation of Prosumers.

Who’s in charge and who will be re-charging your network? | www.cleantechday.fi |

The themes for this year are: Re-charging cleantech with IoT » Robotics » Prosumers » Sharing economy

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The meeting point of Cleantech Venture Day is the wooden Sibelius Hall in Lahti. Every year, the event is attended by a significant number of international private equity investors. The 190 companies that have previously pitched at the event have received more than EUR 400 million in funding.

Nina Harjula says that the NIA service has the potential to reach over 6,000 clean-tech businesses in the Nordic countries and Estonia.

This is Lahti Cleantech Lahti Region is a major Nordic environmental know-how and business centre, where more than 130 companies operate in cleantech value chains that employ about 5000 people.

Lahti has gained international reputation especially in recycling, water purification and soil remediation.

The Lahti region is among the largest growth centers in Finland. Located within Helsinki Metropolitan Area, it offers an ideal place for companies.

More than half of Finlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population live within a two-hour radius and 10 million people live within a three-hour radius.

www.lahtibusinessregion.com

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The heart of the Fluid-Bag solution is a disposable, air-tight and easy to use 1,000 litre bag.

The transport bag and its pallet can either be disposable single-use solutions or intended for multiple uses.

Airtight solutions for transportation of liquids The Fluid-Bag container solution is an easy to use, and simply ingenious, solution. Fluids and pastes remain unpolluted to the last drop in the sealed, flexible bag during the entire transportation and storage process, starting from the manufacturer all the way to the customer’s production line.

T

he Fluid-Bag container solution is ideal for demanding transportation requirements in the food and cosmetics industries and for easily-drying paints, adhesives and printing inks. Among others, Bayer HealthCare and Toyota use Fluid-Bag. ExxonMobil and Shell have over 30 years of experience with the reliable and handy Fluid-Bags for the transportation of oils and lubricants.

“We deliver additional value for our customers.

We design and implement a reliable cost saving tailor-made system that operates from the point of manufacture, to Fluid-Bag containers; and from the containers, to the end user,” tells managing director, Jan Backman.

According to Backman, generally up to five percent of product residue is left in competing, rigid containers systems, which is too much. The FluidBag solution ensures efficient emptying of containers resulting in as little as 0.5% of residue going to waste. Toyota Manufacturing in the UK is one of the companies that has realised this and they now use Fluid-Bags in their factory. Product waste has been reduced to less than a third when compared to

before. When using a Fluid-Bag, air cannot make contact with the contents at any point, so there is no risk of pollution or curing. More savings arise out of the reduced cargo and cleaning costs.

“Fluid-Bag users will also notice a decrease to their logistics costs; for example, a group of empty 1,000 litre Fluid-Bags used for the delivery of 20 m3 of product, take up only two pallets in a truck.

When you deliver your product to an international customer, a marine container delivery can hold more of your product in a Fluid-Bag solution compared to 200-litre barrels. You also don’t have to perform any time-consuming washing with solvents as is the case with rigid containers. An empty Fluid-Bag – which weighs no more than 6 kg – can be recycled as a raw material or as waste-toenergy,” explains Backman. ´There are suitable solutions for different products, ranging from polyethylene films to aluminium laminated films. A Fluid-Bag can carry up to 2,200 kg of weight and can be gamma irradiated to ensure the required hygiene level for food or pharmaceutical products. TEXT: MLS | www.fluid-bag.com |

“Easy to use Fluid-Bags help you to reduce your product waste to 0.5%,” emphasizes Jan Backman.

This is Fluid-Bag Ltd: • Headquartered in Jakobstad, with a subsidiary in Thailand and a sales office in the US. • A flexible industrial container solution for filling, transportation, storage and the emptying of liquids and pastes.

• Main market areas: Europe and North America • Export percentage: 97%