SOUVENIR FROM

FINLAND

INNOVATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS IN SIILINJÄRVI

CHASSWHEEL FEELMAX ERGOREST

Editioral .......................................3Elemenco .....................................3Finland country profile ................4Chasswheel .................................5Ergorest .......................................6Siilinjärvi ......................................7Feelmax .......................................8The power of networking ............9Punamusta ..................................10Tahko ...........................................11Eastern Finland ............................11CO

NTEN

TS

FINLAND

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SIIRTOKELPOISIA KOULUJA JA PÄIVÄKOTEJA

RAKENNA ILMAN HOME- JA

KOSTEUSONGELMIA!SIIRTOKELPOISET koulut ja päi-väkodit valmistetaan Kaavin teh-taamme sisätiloissa. Rakenteetsäilyvät aina kuivina.

TARJOAMME pitkäikäisyyttä, muuntokelpoisuutta ja tyylik- kyyttä sekä laatua.

PYYDÄ TARJOUSTAMME!

www.elemenco.fiElemenco Oy, 73670 Luikonlahti

antero.vartiainen@elemenco.fi

puhelin 0400 720 279, faksi (017) 2611 739

ELEMENCO

Greetings from Siilinjärvi, Fin-land. We are happy to arrive sa-fely to this year’s European Con-ference in Tarragona, Spain. Our Finnish “army” is a bit under 200. So, beware of the Blue-White re-gime : ).

Junior Chamber Internatio-nal is an organisation meant for active young people yearning for knowledge and new challenges. I think this year the 2,000 par-ticipants will make something special happen.

I come from Kuopio, Finland and I am a member of Junior Chamber Siilinjärvi (a munici-pality near Kuopio). I made this magazine to introduce you my neck of the woods. Additionally I found some interesting organi-sations to give their contribution to the paper as well.

This has been an interes-ting and challenging project. To gather internationally known companies from Northern Savo

area, present their key business that has made their work kno-wn across national borders, and give this paper as a “souvenir” from Finland. With the help of this kind of event, such as EC Tarragona, and innovative and energetic organisations, we can make impossible possible.

I want to thank all the orga-nisations and partners who were involved in the project.

I proudly provide this ma-gazine to you and hope it gives a pleasant reading experience along with new ideas.

Wishing Mediterranean emotions,

Teemu Pelkonen

Editor-in-ChiefArea D Manager of International Affairs 2011 JCI FinlandMember of Junior Chamber Siilinjärvi since 2009

EditorialDO maintain eye contact and speak directly to your Finnish business partners. Finns take lack of eye contact for disho-nesty and untrustworthiness.

DO accept an invitation to a sauna. It is an excellent way to connect with your colleagues while learning about traditional Finnish culture, as many impor-tant meetings tend to be follo-wed by a trip to the sauna.

DO poke fun at yourself and your country, but never make fun of others. Finns appreciate dry wit and enjoy self-depreca-ting humour. Finns enjoy irony and have a rather subtle sense of humour.

DON’T interrupt your Finnish colleagues during presenta-tions. Save your questions un-til the end and keep them to a minimum. Finns tend to distrust talkative people.

DON’T show strong emotions. Finns view this as unprofessio-nal and being too emotional will harm your relationship with your Finnish business colleagues.

DON’T be offended if your Fin-nish partners seem rather blunt and to the point. This is typi-cal in Finnish communication, as Finns prefer to tell the truth directly and take pride in their matter of fact attitudes.

DON’T compare Finns to Swe-des as there is a firm rivalry between these nations. Finns are very proud of their distinct cultural identity, so try to avoid calling Finns Scandinavians.

DON’T complain or criticise. It is never in your interest to be criti-cal or opinionated, as any kind of negativity will offend your Fin-nish colleagues.(source Communicaid Group Ltd. – Doing Business in Finland)

Finnish business etiquette (Do’s and Don’ts)

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November 2010

- Land and population- Governance- Infrastructure- Economy- Useful links

Land and populationTotal area: 338,000 square kilometers, of which 6% is agricultural land, 10% water and 69% forestLand area: 304 112 square kilometersNeighbouring countries: Estonia, Sweden, Norway, Russia (1 269 km, Finland's land border with Russia is the eastern border of the European Union)Natural resources:forests, copper, iron ore;Distances: 1,160 km north to south, 540 km west to eastTime: + 2 hours GMTPopulation: 5,4 million ; 67% live in towns or urban areas, 33% in rural areasPopulation density: 17 inhabi-tants per square kilometerLife expectancy at birth: females 82,8 years, males 75,6 years (2010)Main towns (2009): Helsinki (583 350) Espoo (244 330), Tampere (211 507), Vantaa (197 636), Turku (176 087) and Oulu (139 133). The capital, Helsinki, and the neigh-

boring towns, Espoo and Vantaa, form the fast-growing Helsinki metropolitan region, which now has more than a million residentsLanguages:Finnish 90,67%, Swedish 5.43%, Lappish 0.03%, Russian 0.97%, other 2.90% (2009). Finnish and Swedish are the official languages. Religion: Lutheran 79,9%, Ort-hodox 1.1%, other 1.3%. 17,7% have no religious affiliation. (2009)

GovernanceOfficial name: Suomen tasavalta (Suomi), Fin-lands republik, Republic of FinlandForm of state:Parliamentary RepublicCountry code: FIPresident: The President of Finland is Ms. Tarja Halonen, who was re-elected for the second term in March 2006. The president is elected for a period of six years and may serve a maximum of two conse-cutive terms.Constitution: 1919 (updated in 2000)Next elections: March 2011 (parliamentary), February 2012 (presidential)Independence Day: December, 6

Some important events in the history of Finland:- 1155 The first crusade to Finland by the Swedes. Finland becomes part of the Swedish realm- 1809 Finland is handed over to Russia by Sweden and becomes a partly autonomous Grand Duchy under the Russian Emperor- 1917 Finland's declaration of independence on December 6,

1917- 1919 The present constitution is adopted and Finland becomes a republic- 1955 Finland joins the United Nations- 1995 Finland becomes a mem-ber of the European Union- 2002 Euro banknotes and coins enter circulation

InfrastructureElectric power: 220 V, 50 HzDial numbers: +358, Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo (0)9, Tampere (0)3, Turku (0)2GSM standards: GSM 900/1800, 3GFixed telephone users: 1.43 million households in Finland have a fixed-line telephone (2009)Mobile penetration: over 100 percent, over 7,7 million subscribers (2009) Internet:3,2 million Finns use Internet. 59,9 internet users/100 inhabitants (2009) Broadband subscribers: 2.5 million (2009)Public roads: 78 141 kmRailways: 5 919 km, of which electrified 3,067 km (2009)Waterways: Fairways for merchant shipping comprise 3,900 km of coastal and inland waterways.Airports: 76 with paved runways. The busiest airport in Finland is the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport which handles around 500 take-offs and landings daily.Ports: Helsinki, Hanko, Kotka, Turku,

Hamina, Pori, Naantali, Rauma, Raahe, Porvoo

EconomyCurrency: euro (EUR) = 100 centsGross Domestic Product (2009e): 171,3 billion eur (at current market prices)GDP per capita (2009e): at current market prices 32 088 eur.Consumer price inflation: 0,0% (2009). Forecast for 2010 is 1,5%.Unemployment rate: 8,2 % (2009). Forecast for 2010 is 8,6%.Monthly wages (2008): average 2 876 eur; men 3 185 eur, women 2 575 eur Main industrial products: Paper and board, electronics and metal products. Forests are still Finland's most crucial raw material resource, although the engineering and high technology industries, led by Nokia, have long been the leading branches of manufacturing.Taxation: Corporation tax (26%) is uniform for all types of corporate income, including sales profits, interest income, dividends, royalties and rental income; value-added tax (VAT) is charged at 23% on most goods and services. Reduced tax rate of 13 % is applied to serving of foods and to the sale of food and animal feed and reduced rate of 9 % to cinema performances, physical exercise services, books, pharmaceuticals, passenger tran-sportation services etc.

(Source: Finpro)

Country ProfileFinland

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Finland

Chasswheel Oy has signed an agreement on sales of Four X electric wheelchair in Europe. The contracting party Invacare Corporation is the global leader in the manufacture and distri-bution of innovative home and

long-term care medical pro-ducts. Four X is the only electric wheelchair with four wheel drive that has been accepted as a compensable assistive device by the European authorities.

Invacare has already begun

distribution of Four X electric wheelchairs in Norway and Swe-den and will later in the autumn start to sell Four X in Denmark. According to the contract Inva-care has the possibility to ex-pand the sales of Four X also to the other European countries.

”The contract opens doors to such European countries in which we do not have a resel-ler yet. Due to the contract our production volume will increase notably and the subcontract work in assembling the wheel-chairs increases. Our sales will double this year”, says Jukka Paunonen, Sales Manager of Chasswheel.

Four X electric wheelchairs are designed for people, who need motorized aid for moving, but still want to live as indepen-dently as possible.

”We got excited about the unique characteristics of Four X.

The wheelchair is durable and can be used also in extremely demanding outdoor and off-road conditions. Therefore Four X is an excellent complement to the Invacare product offer”, says director Pierre Maielli, who is responsible for product deve-lopment of power wheelchairs and scooters at Invacare.

As a prerequisite to the cont-ract, Chasswheel acquired the certificates required in Europe for the Four X electric wheelchair.

”The contract is not only im-portant for Chasswheel but also to the whole Finnish assistive de-vice industry”, says the initiator of the contract Tapani Vuorinen, Director of Suppliers and Pro-duct range from Respecta.

Respecta Oy continues as a reseller of Four X electric wheel-chairs in Finland.

PRESS RELEASE 26.4.2011

Finnish electric wheelchair producer Chasswheel and Invacare into Europe-wide co-operation

Facts about Four X

• Four X gives its owner freedom to move and act more independently and diversified than be fore through all four seasons.• Four X’s unique characte- ristics are flexible chassis, absorbers, four wheel drive and steering.

• All components of wheel- chairs are made in Finland except engine and electronics.• The flexible chassis was developed by Hannu Knuutinen.

Additional information:

Jukka PaunonenSales ManagerChasswheel Oyjukka.paunonen@chasswheel.comtel. +358 207 559 228

Tapani VuorinenDirector of Suppliers & Product range, Respectatapani.vuorinen@respecta.fitel. +358 40 3488 457

Chasswheel Oy manufactures electric wheelchairs for multifun-ctional and demanding use. The company has until now manu-factured over 500 pieces of its main product, Four X electric wheelchair and sold them to over 10 countries.

www.chasswheel.com. Invacare Corporation is the glo-bal leader in the manufacture and distribution of innovative home and long-term care me-dical products. The Company has 6,300 associates and mar-kets its products in 80 countries around the world.

www.invacare.com.Respecta Oy provides resear-ched and individual services based on assistive devices. The aim of the services is to imp-rove user’s independent living and quality of life. Respecta’s eight clinics provide services throughout Finland.

Respecta has 200 employees and its turnover in 2010 was over EUR 30 million. Respecta is owned by ORTON Founda-tion and The Finnish National Fund for Research. www.respecta.fi

(Did you know? CEO Risto Heikkinen and Jukka Paunonen are Honorary Members in Junior Chamber Kuopio.)

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Everything has a beginning, and we began by producing massage tables. During the re-cession in the 1990s, demand of the tables decreased signifi-cantly and production withered. Nowadays the demand has flou-rished yet again and the produc-tion is taken up.

In the middle of 1980s we found an idea for workstation er-gonomy. An innovative and da-ring team of Finns put this idea forward into practise. Forearm support is meant to bear one’s arm and elbow, especially wor-king with computers. Ergonomy issues during that time also ref-lected the evolution of IT and

computer-based working.Our products reduce tension

in the neck and shoulder area. They enhance your position in workplace and ease working with the computer. Nowadays there is also a model integrated with a mouse pad. Mr. Yrjö Vi-herheimo was the man behind the design and he developed the model and gave its characteris-tic features.

We believe in international business. Ergorest has gone international and gained inter-national success by attending exhibitions abroad. As a result of these events, we have found that Orgatec – exhibition in Köln has proved to be the best. We have attended every Orgatec since 1993. We have found our sales network, which covers all continents and proved this event

being the most fruitful. At the moment, our most

important market area is Europe and North America. 90 per cent of our turnover is export. This is why international business is highly important to us.

We are pleased that The

University of Kuopio has conducted a research of our armrest model and its effect on workstation ergonomy. This gi-ves our brand added value and makes our products even more reliable.

Today we at Ergorest invest highly on environmental issues, for example recycled packaging and optimation of raw mate-rial and energy. Through all the efforts in work, long-term de-velopment and environmental awareness, we have achieved a prestige of high-quality producer all around the world.

Feel free to contact us, we are happy to solve your er-gonomy issues.

Anne HölTTäVice PresidentErgorest Oy

Ergonomics today Case Ergorest Oy, Siilinjärvi Finland

Ergorest is specialised in ergonomy-products origin from Siilinjärvi Fin-land. Its roots are from 1978.

Ergorest oy | Yrittäjäntie 1 | 71800 Siilinjärvi | Finland | Tel. +358 207 401470 | Fax +358 17 462 619

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Siilinjärvi    Kasurilantie  1  PL  5,  Siilinjärvi  tel.  +358  17  401  111  fax.  +358  17  401  132  kirjaamo@siilinjarvi.fi  www.siilinjarvi.fi  

Siilinjärvi    A lively municipality in Northern Savo  

Siilinjärvi  is  an  active  and  growing  municipality.  At  the  moment  2011  there  are  21  101  inhabitants.  The  development  of  population  has  been  positive.  Population  is  younger  than  average  with  almost  one  of  four  inhabitants  is  under  15  years  old.  Population  is  also  better  educated  than  average.  

Siilinjärvi  and  Kuopio  form  together  a  coherent  and  densely  populated  employment  are  with  over  108  000  inhabitants.  Siilinjärvi's  biggest  employers  are  in  the  chemical  industry,  aerospace  and  defence,  health  and  leisure  services,  concrete  and  metal  as  well  as  services  and  tourism.  The  latest  major  working  area  is  located  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Rissala  Airport  with  nearly  100  hectares  of  area.  

In  Siilinjärvi  feel  at  home  specially  families  with  children.  There  has  been  invested  a  lot  in  childcare,  education,  elderly  care,  health  and  leisure  services.  They  are  investments  in  the  future.    We  believe  that  the  welfare  services  have  an  increasingly  important  role  in  the  future  for  the  business  development  and  the  success  of  the  entire  municipality.  

Did  you  know  about  Siilinjärvi:  ¥ The  name,  in  Finnish,  means  ”Hedgehog  Lake.”  ¥ Siilinjärvi  was  found  in  1925  ¥ By  population  it  is  the  51st  largest  in  Finland  ¥ Municipal  Tax  Rate  19,5%  ¥ Twincities:  Sunne  in  Sweden,  Elverum  in  

Norway,  Hajdúböszörmény  in  Hungary,  Kamennogorsk  in  Russia,  Amberg  in  Germany  

   

Feelmax Aftergame Barefoot shoes are suitable for:

Feelmax after-gameAftergame Barefoot shoes

Brief description of the com-pany Oy Feelmax Ltd was es-tablished in 2000. The company sold initially toe socks. During the best year these socks were sold for as much as 1, 8 million euro.

It was soon discovered that there would be a market also for light shoes with thin soles. The company started a product de-velopment project together with Continental in order to develop an ideal thin and long lasting sole. As a result light durable Feelmax shoes with 1mm and 2,1 mm soles were developed.

Referring to several indepen-dent test results, the Feelmax shoe has from a foot health point of view come out as superior compared to other shoes.It was already at an early stage realised that this product had great po-tential and patents were applied for worldwide in all important markets. The name Feelmax was also registered in all major markets.

See also www.feelmax.comIn 2007 the company had

the first lot of Feelmax barefoot footwear made.The shoes were very well received both among professionals and amateurs in all markets initially sold.

Professional sportsmen like Jari Litmanen, Sami Kapanen and Tommi Evilä are using Feel-max shoes and they are very pleased with them. The trade was at the beginning a bit re-luctant concerning Feelmax as they were afraid that the product promise for Feelmax was contra-dictory to conventional thick so-led sports footwear an possibly cannibalizing these.

The increasing consumer de-mand, good profitability and the fact that Feelmax was crea-ting a completely new segment complementary to traditional sports footwear however remo-ved the anxiety.

- Free time- After the game- Jogging- Gym

- Rehabilitation- Sailing- For driving- Flights

- Golf training- For office- Healthiness, diabetics, back problems etc.- For use at home

Oy Feelmax LtdMaaningantie 4771750 MaaninkaFinlandTel. +358 (0)17 389 3100Fax +358 (0)17 389 3111

Oy Feelmax Ltd | Maaningantie 47 | 71750 Maaninka | Finland | Tel. +358 (0)17 389 3100 | Fax +358 (0)17 389 3111

Networking is a fresh con-cept when talked about bu-siness and its development. When I think back, it was first mentioned years ago during our business classes in Univer-sity. Our professor made it clear that networking is here to stay, and all of us should acknowled-ge it and take care of our own networks. Now that I think of it, it makes a whole lot of sense.

To some, networking has a negative sound to it. They may think that people have hidden agendas or merely want to exploit one’s skills in their bu-siness. However, networking is all about being genuine and interacting with other peop-le. After all, we build networks even subconsciously. We meet people in our daily activities and work with variety of individuals; it is easier to ask our friend for

an advice or use our networks to solve a problem.

I was invited to Junior Chamber Siilinjärvi in 2009 be-fore which I did not know anyt-hing about the organisation. It was quite unreal that I imme-diately found myself surroun-ded with other active and idea-listic people. Being influenced with these individuals, challen-ges and even crazy ideas were surmountable. I easily adapted into different events and pro-jects with the same kind of mindset. All of these experien-ces have given me professional as well as individual skills useful in the future.

Junior Chamber Interna-tional gives prospective sur-roundings for networking. It is an organisation that flourishes it. It is hard to think of a better way to meet and discuss with

other dynamic people. I have also made friends within the JCI world that will last a lifetime. It is great to know that whenever I may have a problem or a chal-lenge, there is a network of pro-fessionals that can offer a point of view for it.

Networking is being done continuously; at work, in social life and newly in social media as well. It powerfully reactiva-tes people to seek into new social situations. Take my de-velopment in JCI as an examp-le: Firstly I was invited to join a local chapter where I got to do projects and meet interesting people. Consequently to that, I got an opportunity to be an area manager of international affairs and meet people from all over Finland. And finally, while writing this article, I am packing my bags and getting ready for

the European Conference in Tarragona and I am confident to say that there will be some amount of energetic people to interact with.

So as you experience and go on with your daily routines, do enjoy the people you meet along the way. You never know who comes across and what interesting challenge you may find yourself in.

Enhancing the unique opportunities,

Teemu PelkonenJCI Finland Area D - Manager of International Affairs 2011Member of Junior Chamber Siilinjärvi since 2009

“The way of the world is meeting people through other people.” – Robert Kerrigan

The power of networking

www.punamusta.com

High quality

printing products.

Country FinlandEstablished September 1, 1997Abolished January 1, 2010Capital MikkeliGovernment- Governor Pirjo Ala-KapeeArea- Total 48,726 km2 (18,813.2 sq mi)

Population (2002)- Total 588,106- Density 12.1/km2 (31.3/sq mi)Time zone EET (UTC+2)- Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)ISO 3166 code ISNUTS code 13

Eastern Finland

INDOOR SPORTS

DOWNHILL SKIING SNOWBOARDING

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING SNOW MOBILING

HORSE SLEDDING HORSE SAFARIS

ICE DRIVING

SNOW SHOEING

SPA SERVICESGOLF FISHING

CANOEING

SHOOTING

HIKINGADMIRING NATURE

BOWLING

MOUNTAIN BIKING

ATV SAFARIS

Tahko Finland ACTIVITIES ALL YEAR ROUND

Tahko is a lively holiday resort, which comprise a perfect destination for an active holiday all year round. Tahko is located in Nilsiä in the Finnish Lakeland area, approximately 50 minutes from Kuopio. Its central location and excellent transport connections make Tahko an easy destination from anywhere. The changing seasons, from snowy winters to pleasant summers, permit a wide range of ways to spend a holiday at Tahko.

All activies and accommodation BOOK NOW http://booking.tahko.com

Central Booking Office TAHKOcomLaitisenmäentie 11, 73300 NILSIÄ, FINLANDPuh. +358-17-481 400, fax +358-17-481 401E-mail: tahkovuori@tahko.com

JET SKIS

Welcome to Finland!