Subcontracting Trade Fair celebrates at the heart of international industry

Press release  27.09.2023

The industrial meeting place Subcontracting opened its doors yesterday in Tampere. This year there is a special call for industrial celebration, as Subcontracting turns 35 years old. The Subcontracting Partner Company 2023 is Patria and the theme of the event is Globally Local. The Main Contractor of the Year and Subcontractor of the Year were awarded at the Subcontracting opening ceremony. Europe’s second largest trade fair for the subcontracting industry and Finland’s leading industrial event is held from 26 to 28 September 2023 at the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre.

The 35-year-old Subcontractor celebrated its opening ceremony on Tuesday morning. Trade Fair’s opening speech was given by the head of Patria’s Operations unit, Executive Vice President Manu Skyttä. Patria is the Subcontracting partner company 2023. In his speech, Skyttä focused on Patria’s international growth, which is based on Patria’s strong domestic expertise. He emphasised new kinds of competence needs and the importance of networking with other players across industries, which is why Patria also considers Subcontracting to be a very important meeting place.

Main Contractor of the Year: Sako Oy | Subcontractor of the Year: Valmet Automotive

The Finnish Association of Purchasing and Logistics LOGY shared the recognitions promoting networking that supports the competitiveness of Finnish production at the opening of the Subcontracting Trade Fair. The Main Contractor of the Year and Subcontractor of the Year 2023 awards were presented by the Chairman of LOGY’s Subcontracting Award Committee Tomi Parmasuo and CEO of LOGY Markku Henttinen.

Sako Oy, which is known around the world as a designer and manufacturer of high-quality hunting, was awarded as the Main Contractor for 2023, military and sports rifles, as well as cartridges. The award was received by Raimo Karjalainen, CEO and Heikki Taneli, Procurement Manager, from Sako Oy. The company operates in Riihimäki and employs nearly 400 professionals, producing more than 100 000 weapons annually. Sako Oy is currently part of the world’s oldest industrial family company, the Italian Beretta Group. The cooperation has, for its part, enabled the modernization of the factory and diversification of production, as well as the intensification of marketing internationally. The weapons of Europe’s largest manufacturer of rifles have been granted the right to use the Key Flag and Design from Finland labels. The award committee justified its choice with Sako’s fine tradition, technically and visually high-quality products, as well as strong and profitable growth of recent years, which creates great conditions to aim high in the future as well.

Valmet Automotive’s EV Systems business line was awarded Subcontractor of the Year. The recognition was received by Kimmo Suupohja, Managing Director, Salo Plant, EV Business Line and Katja Luoma, Marketing Manager, Group Marketing Communications from Valmet Automotive. EV Systems Business Line develops and manufactures battery modules and systems for the automotive and other industries. The accelerating electrification of traffic has increased the demand for battery systems strongly, and Valmet Automotive has been able to react quickly to changes in the market. In its justifications, the award committee highlights the growth rate of the Subcontractor of the Year in the battery business, as well as open-mindedness and ambition in the challenging industry. The role of Valmet Automotive’s business line as a significant employer in Finland and a significant player in the global market was highlighted as well.

Competitive Industry in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

The theme of the industry’s leading event Globally Local has eye on the future, opening up industry’s perspectives from local expertise to international production. On Wednesday, 27.9., creative director and writer Henri “Henkka” Hyppönen will held a keynote speech What is it like to be a human in the era of artificial intelligence? Wednesday’s theme discussion is wrapped around the same topic with the topic Artificial intelligence – experiences from industry. The seminars of the day drill into the competitiveness of the Finnish manufacturing industry and provide steps for greener production. On the closing day of the fair, we focus on the new experts in the industry. In the theme discussion of the third fair day discuss how to ensure the attractiveness of the industry and experts in the field in the future. The Robotics Society of Finland’s Robotics as a Workplace seminar as well as an afternoon for students also takes place on Thursday.

Subcontracting showcases the metal, electronics, plastics and rubber industries, industrial ICT solutions, and the design and consulting services within these fields. The event brings together more than a thousand exhibitors from several different countries as well as thousands of fair visitors every year. The Tampere Trade Fairs Group organises the event in cooperation with Technology Industries of Finland, Rubber Manufacturers’ Association of Finland (RMAF), Finnish Association of Purchasing and Logistics LOGY, and Finnish Plastics Industries Federation. The event had been organised in Tampere since 1988.

FURTHER INFORMATION: alihankinta.fi/en/, #Alihankinta #globallylocal
Tampereen Messut Group, tampereenmessut.fi, firstname.lastname@tampereenmessut.fi
Sami Siurola, Project Manager, tel. +358 40 734 3589, Sirkka Laine, Communications Specialist, tel. +358 40 612 9081