Airport Cluster Finland, the main organisation devoted to Finnish airport expertise, has announced a new development project at the world’s premier airport exhibition in Germany. Airport Concepts aims to develop new solutions for airports around the globe by combining and complementing the products and services of the participating companies.
Airport Concepts aims to help develop and exploit some of Finland’s main strengths in airport solutions. For instance, last year the BBC reported on Helsinki-Vantaa’s expertise on de-icing and keeping the runways clear. Björn-Olav Larsen, Marketing Manager of Kemira, explained to the audience in Munich his idea of the future of managing winter conditions at airports.
A host of Finnish companies have expertise with snow and ice at airports. Kemira creates anti- and de-icing materials. Artic Machine manufactures equipment for road maintenance, while Vaisala has solid know-how in automated weather observation systems.
Other portions of the presentation included Jaakko Martikainen of Excel Composites, who spoke about lighting, and Stefan Ochsner of Pöyry, who discussed conceptual change in airport design.
Many companies in the cluster specialise in airport design and construction, such as Pöyry. SRV has experience in construction, Rostek creates permanent access systems for building maintenance, Champion Door builds hangar doors, Ahkera Smart tech improves ground handling processes and Finavia has extensive strengths in airport management.
Airport Concepts will create new business opportunities in the international markets for member companies. It has a budget of 900,000 euros and is expected to continue till the end of 2013. Organisers hope it will be a way to show international companies the expertise of the Finnish players and to entice them to look at more opportunities in Finland.
“Greater Helsinki Promotion and Airport Cluster Finland, a development initiative launched by Vantaa Innovation Institute, are working together to attract international companies into the Finnish airport community,” confirms Olivier Bonfils of Greater Helsinki Promotion.
He goes on to explain how international companies have shown interest in the members of Airport Cluster Finland due to, among other things, their expertise in the Russian and Asian markets. Bonfils also praises the safe and well-functioning Finnish industrial environment which is attractive to international investors.
Text: DAVID J. CORD, Helsinki Times
Airport Cluster Finland is a neutral private and public funded cluster program executed by Vantaa Innovation Institute Ltd. Other financiers include the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment and the member companies.
Read more: Airport Cluster Finland, Vantaa Innovation Institute
