Finnish forest industry companies have become the leading specialists in Europe and major players on the global scene. The success is based to a great extent on the long-standing traditions in research and training systems and close cooperation among industry, research institutes and universities. The forest cluster, a network of corporate activity and top-grade know-how, has become Finland's trump card.

"The Finnish paper industry is the best in the world in terms of its technical processes and product development," says Jouko M. Jaakkola, the chairman of the board of directors of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation and President and CEO of M-real Corporation. He highlights investment in training and research and development as being the focus for strong know-how and the future.

World statistics show Finland to be the sixth-biggest producer of paper and board. Finnish exports' share of the world market is 15 per cent, which makes Finland the world's second-biggest paper exporter. "The paper industry has been and still is a important industrial sector for the Finnish economy," Jaakkola asserts.

Engineers worldwide

The long-term investment in forest industry training in Finland and the reduction in training elsewhere around the world has made Finland an important country for forestry training.

The most significant reform in training in recent years is the start of the Master of Science educational programme at Helsinki University of Technology. Jaakkola says that this is an unusually strong and high-quality training unit, a fact that is of interest worldwide.

"Finland is the global leader in training engineers for the paper industry. This can be seen by the fact that almost two-thirds of Europe's paper engineers are trained in Finland.

Research the best in the world

Finnish R&D in the paper industry has become the best in the world in the past decade. Whereas previously learning about forest industry production technology and research was sought abroad, today it is sought in Finland.

"Finland has strong traditions in this area, too. The sector's concentration on R&D has brought opportunities. Strong companies, strong equipment suppliers and the cluster industry are now focusing on Finland," Jaakkola states.

Paper know-how 2020

"Globalization will open up opportunities for new product markets and at the same time better exploitation of technical expertise. That is why we must continually develop our expertise and take pains over our price competitiveness," Jaakkola emphasizes.

Increasing competition for a capable workforce will mean a challenge for the Finnish paper industry. The limited nature of wood resources will guide the focus of development towards further upgrading. It will also be important to ensure cost effectiveness at all stages of the production chain from the forest to the customer.

"In 2020 forest industry companies with Finnish origins will have strengthened their position as the world's leading operators in the sector. Increasing the lead will be based on the innovative development of technology, cost-effectiveness and the unique synergy of the Finnish forest cluster," Jaakkola predicts.

Forest cluster

Source: Finnish Forest Industries Federation

>> Finland the country for paper

Finland is the world's second-biggest paper exporter.
Photo: UPM-Kymmene