Quintiq, a global provider of supply chain planning and optimization, has launched a business unit in the greater Helsinki area. Finland’s strong resource industry and good logistic connections were important factors when the company chose location for its new unit.
With the new business unit, Quintiq aims to strengthen its position in Finland, Sweden and the Baltic countries. In Finland, the company’s target industries include pulp and paper industry, metal processing and mining industries as well as logistics. In Sweden, it works with companies in the metal industry.
Customers, logistics and knowhow
The first incentive to expand to Finland, however, came from a Finnish customer.
— Our customer Rautaruukki wanted local support through a local Quintiq office for a platform implementation project. We started exploring the possibilities of setting up an office in Finland, and it made sense. Not only is Rautaruukki a good customer but the country is great as well, said Arjen Heeres, Chief Operating Officer at Quintiq.
— Finland has a strong resource industry, for example steel industry and forestry. They are among our target industries. We chose the Helsinki area for its good logistics and connections. Many other companies also have their headquarters in the area, so it made sense to set up our base there as well, said Heeres.
It took Quintiq only three months to set up the new unit. The company did most of the groundwork itself, with some help from a local accountant and an advisor. It also used recruitment agencies and magazine advertisements to find local staff. The amount of the investment has not been disclosed.
— The Finnish business environment is open for changes. There is strong knowhow on supply chain management, and the general level of education is quite high. Furthermore, Finnish companies have a strong focus and long history in looking for cost efficiency in production and logistics. We therefore expect to continue growing, said Business Unit Director Markus Malinen who runs the new unit together with Olli Kämäräinen.
Competitive edge with a full platform solution
Quintiq believes there is space for it in the Finnish market.
— There are some small local point-solution suppliers of supply chain management in Finland. We can offer a full platform of supply chain planning and optimization that helps companies reduce costs, improve customer service and reduce the carbon footprint of logistics, said Markus Malinen.
— Our unit in Vantaa now employs 11 people but with the expected growth rate the number of our employees will increase to 15 this year and continue to grow at a similar rate in the near future, Malinen added.
Quintiq was established in 1997 and has dual headquarters in the Netherlands and the USA. The company has a global development center in Malaysia and offices around the world.
Text: Anu Jussila
Article is published in cooperation with Good News from Finland.
