The Company and Business Manager awards for 2013 were announced at the Future of Entrepreneurship event on Tuesday. The winners of the competition now organised for the tenth time are owner-manager Matti Laitinen, Fineweld Oy, Kokkola and Vincit Oy, Tampere respectively.
Matti Laitinen
Matti Laitinen (b.1961) is the owner-founder of Fineweld Oy based in Kokkola.
Fineweld is one of the largest Nordic companies specialising in the manufacture and installation of industrial piping. With some 100 employees, the company posted a turnover of 32 million euros in 2012. Matti Laitinen founded his own welding company in 1998 and the company has operated as a private limited company since 1996.
The jury says that Fineweld run by Laitinen has had the courage to change its direction and continuously develop its production and installation process. The company' high employee retention has enabled skill enrichment and enhancement. In the early 2000s, Fineweld took the bold step towards providing industry with major project deliveries - not only a minor part of a larger whole.
www.fineweld.fi
Vincit Oy
Established in 2007, Vincit Oy is among the Finnish high-tech companies that has shown one of the fastest growth rates. This young firm has been able to ten-fold its turnover within only five years. With a staff of 70, Vincent has a turnover of 5.9 million euros. An inspiring organisational culture forms the key to the company's success and fast growth.
The jury says that Vincit has from the very beginning made dedicated efforts in the field of human resources management. The firm's and its owner-managers' passion, resilience and broadmindedness have inspired employees and made the company move forward. A 100% satisfaction guarantee offered by the company is also a key strength and this has engaged customers on a long-term basis.
The company and all of its employees are making continuous improvements to create a better workplace. Indeed, it has annually been very successful in, for example, the Great Place to Work competition.
www.vincit.fi
Future of Entrepreneurship
Organised jointly by OP-Pohjola Group and Kauppalehti, the national Future of Entrepreneurship seminar for entrepreneurship and business success. A jury jointly appointed by OP-Pohjola Group and Kauppalehti annually gives the Company and Business Manager awards. The competitions are run by Kauppalehti/Balance Consulting, and the award winners are chosen by a jointly appointed jury. Speakers at the seminar include state and business representatives, business executives and entrepreneurs.
For more information, please contact:
Tony Vepsäläinen, Chief Business Development Officer, OP-Pohjola, tel. 010 252 4020,
Ari Rajala, Chief Analyst, Kauppalehti, tel. 040 505 8289
OP-Pohjola Group is Finland's leading financial services group providing a unique range of banking, investment and insurance services. The Group's mission is to promote the sustainable prosperity, well-being and security of its owner-members, customers and operating regions through its local presence. Its objective is to offer the best and most versatile package of loyal customer benefits on the market. OP-Pohjola Group consists of some 200 member cooperative banks and the Group's central institution, OP-Pohjola Group Central Cooperative, with its subsidiaries and closely-related companies, the largest of which is the listed company Pohjola Bank plc.