Subcontracting Trade Fair 2019: “Sustainability is not a zero sum game”
Press release 24.09.2019
The second largest subcontracting industry trade fair in Europe, Subcontracting Trade Fair 2019 (Alihankinta 2019) and start-up event AlihankintaHEAT, kicked off today in Tampere. All five halls of the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre will be filled until Thursday, 26 September, by over 1000 exhibitors who have come to Tampere from approximately twenty different countries. The theme of the 2019 fair is sustainable manufacturing. The fair was opened by Mia Mantsinen, CEO of the Mantsinen Group, and the keynote speaker was Helena Soimakallio, Director of the Sustainable Development Unit of the Federation of Technology Industries of Finland. LOGY association awarded Lojer Oy as the Main Supplier of the Year and Futurice Oy as the Subcontractor of the Year.
Mia Mantsinen, CEO of Mantsinen Group, the Subcontracting Fair 2019 partner, emphasized in her opening speech of the fair: “Working together is the cornerstone of sustainable and responsible operations. Nobody is left behind, and by supporting and challenging others, even ambitious objectives can be achieved.”
“We must keep on searching for new ways to develop our operations. We can learn from the numerous other Finnish companies that are global forerunners in the sector. Partnerships enable us to have a greater impact. Sustainable and economic products must be based on a responsible development, procurement, and production chain, where the role of each participant is greater than they would be alone. Sustainability is not a zero-sum game.” Mantsinen says.
Column: CEO Mia Mantsinen, Mantsinen Group: “From one generation to another”
Lojer Oy, the Main Supplier of the Year and Futurice Oy, the Subcontractor of the Year
The Finnish Association of Purchasing and Logistics (LOGY) awarded Lojer Oy (Sastamala) as the Main Supplier of the Year 2019, and Futurice Oy (Tampere) as the Subcontractor of the Year 2019. The awards were accepted by the CEO of Lojer Oy Ville Laine, Chairman of the Board Tommi Salonen and Production Director Jukka Suni, and the Country Manager of Futurice Oy Finland Riku Valtasola and Tampere Site Head at Futurice Osmo Haapaniemi.
The awards were presented by Managing Director of LOGY Markku Henttinen and Chairman of the LOGY Award Committee at the Subcontracting Trade Fair Tomi Parmasuo. Presented since 1987, the awards aim to promote competitiveness and networking in the Finnish manufacturing industry.
According to the Award Committee, Lojer has persistently and ethically developed its own procurement network. According to Lojer’s procurement strategy, materials are sourced from domestic and even regional suppliers wherever possible, as evidenced by the fact that Lojer has acquired the Key Flag label (Avainlippu) for all the products manufactured by the company. Futurice for its part, despite its staggering 30% annual growth rate, has successfully succeeded in nurturing its own working policies, which is reflected in the company’s operations and culture. The company’s values – trust, transparency, learning and care – are strongly present in the daily lives of its personnel and in customer work. The Award Committee valued the company’s service and customer experience.
Olli Kärkkäinen of Nordea: Economy outlook in need of a turbo boost
On the opening morning of the fair, private sector economist Olli Kärkkäinen of Nordea provided an insight into the uncertain economic situation by encouraging investment. An expert in digital work, Esko Kilpi, took the stage as a Keynote speaker and offered the audience some food for thought on what kind of cooperation would work out best in the future industry. The Heat Grill panel discussion led by Mikko Torikka, the Editor-in-Chief of Tekniikka & Talous (Technology & Economy) magazine, focused on sustainable manufacturing and future industry. The Heat Stage will be filled with topical presentations, discussions and pitching. Further information: www.alihankinta.fi/fi/heat/