Increasing operational efficiency, streamlining structures and developing new businesses and products will enable the Finnish forest industry to safeguard its competitiveness and “establish a strong foundation for the future”, according to the chairman of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation’s (FFIF’s) board.
Jussi Pesonen, who also serves as FFIF’s chief executive officer, said the Finnish forest sector was at a turning point and, in the future, “will be a very different sector from what it is today”.
This includes the way wood-based products are manufactured, the type of goods and services on offer, as well as greater co-operation between strategic partners.
“I foresee a lowering of the barriers that separate manufacturing from services as well as the adoption of networked activities between strategic partners,” said Mr Pesonen. “The decisions being made right now will establish a foundation on which the regeneration and competitiveness of our industry will lean on.”
Mr Pesonen said that these steps will allow the Finnish forest cluster to remain active in decades to come and ensure that it is in a position to take advantage of the “sustainable and diverse exploitation of a renewable raw material”.
