Oulu – the home of industry with strong roots and diverse structure

Areas of strong industrial expertise in Oulu include forestry, mining and the chemical industry. A large proportion of industrial production is exported from Oulu. Local companies' global expansion is supported by Oulu's functional logistics connections and access to raw material reserves. The technology expertise possessed in Oulu enables the development of new applications for industrial needs.

Industry in Oulu:

• More than 450 sites
• Turnover exceeding EUR 4.7 billion (2009)
• Nearly 12,000 employees
• Mining and nuclear power industry are rising

Solid industrial production

The Centre for Advanced Steels Research at the University of Oulu combines excellence in chemical, mechanical and physical metallurgy with process control, and adjustment and modelling with automation and IT. This internationally renowned steels research centre focuses on process phases that enable influencing the properties and usability of the completed steel product.

The Bothnian Arc zone around the Gulf of Bothnia is the biggest wood processing-industry hub in Europe. The region can also boast with extensive experience in the diverse utilisation of forests. One of the world's biggest and most contemporary manufacturers of wood-free art print paper operates in Oulu. Apart from paper production, Oulu also has excellence in timber construction. It should not be surprising that the biggest European hub of log construction is also located in Oulu. There is active residential construction going on in Oulu, which also reflects the increasing migration into the region.

The food product industry has traditionally been a strong segment in Oulu. Today, food safety is a particular focus area with pioneering work carried out in the region.

New opportunities

Major investment projects implemented in the region will generate new business opportunities for industrial companies in the near future. The implementation of a new nuclear power plant is a major investment with significant long-term effects. 

The rich soil of northern Finland has given new rise to the mining industry, which is returning to its position as a strong, interesting branch of industry in the region. The gold mine in Laivakangas, Raahe, will be opened soon, and the Hitura mine has already been reopened. In addition, excavations will be initiated in Taivalkoski and Juomasuo. The Oulu Mining School, an educational institute of high international level, guarantees the  availability of professional mine workers in northern Finland.

OLLI LÖYTYNOJA
Head of Key Accounts, Key account Director, Industry
tel. 040 034 0028
firstname.lastname@businessoulu.com