SSC is planning large-scale investment on the Finnish market, something of an unchartered territory for leading Nordic suppliers of joinery products.
“Nowadays we regard the entire Nordic as our home market and Finland has a great potential for our products, which are very competitive in both price and quality,” says Peter Forsséll, CEO for SSC Skellefteå AB.

Previously SSC had only one retailer in Finland, for their loft ladders. But that will now be broadened together with a strong and well-established partner; Huippuu OY in Rovaniemi.
“It’s an agency contract where Huippuu will sell our joinery products mainly to the Finnish contract market. In the first wave we are focusing on special installations and will gradually offer more products,” continues Peter Forsséll.

Cultural differences and a language barrier
The Finnish market does not work in the same way as the Swedish, something that has caused problems for Swedish companies seeking to export to their close neighbours in the east.
“For effective promotion it’s vital that we consider the cultural differences that exist and overcome the language barrier,” explains Peter Forsséll.

The Finnish construction industry has always been opposed to purchasing non-Finnish products.
“But following Finland’s entry into the EU this has gradually changed and we now see foreign competition being welcomed with open arms in the joinery sector,” explains Erkki Suhanko, Sales Manager for Huippuu.

New hotels
Erkki Suhanko is convinced that SSC’s product portfolio will attract interest from Finnish construction companies, architects and building contractors.
“There are not many Finnish manufacturers with such a broad range of joinery products as SSC,” he says.

An upward swing is forecast for the Finnish construction industry with 2011 promising a 10% increase in construction volumes.
“A number of large hotels and restaurants will be built in central and southern Finland, paving the way for SSC’s high quality products,” concludes Erkki Suhanko.

For more information please, contact me
	Peter Forsséll, CEO, SSC Skellefteå Phone: +46 910-72 59 55  Mobile: +46 70-624 00 48  peter.forssell@sscgroup.se