Press release, Dec 3, 2009
As basic industry is on the wane, expectations fall increasingly on the service industry as the engine of Finnish economic growth. Since fall last year, Finpro has invested extensively in promoting the internationalization of the service industry, which has been raised on an equal level of importance with the traditional sectors of industry and technology.
Finpro has appointed Irma Patala, M.Sc. (Engineering), MBA, as Head of Finpro’s Service Industry as of December 1, 2009. Her previous posts include program director for Culminatum Ltd Oy and country manager for PAN Vision Oy. For the last two years, Patala has worked in Münich as senior consultant for Finpro’s Service Industry.
“Services are an important engine of growth and competitiveness to Finland. We need new innovative service concepts arising from changes in the market – from the themes of sustainable development, for instance. Our task is to help Finnish service industry companies in internationalization and in the main challenges related to the process, such as the scaling of service models and financing growth,” says Irma Patala.
“The internationalization of services opens entirely new possibilities as the physical location of a service has become less important and the role of international networks is emphasized. What is more, the internationalization of services takes more versatile forms compared to physical products,” Patala continues.
Finpro aims to promote the growth and internationalization of companies in the service industry. For example, Finpro assists companies in recognizing potential for internationalization, building growth models, accessing the market and creating international networks. In addition, Finpro observes changes in the markets and resulting new business opportunities.
“We believe that creative industries, skill-intensive business services and the tourism and leisure industries are capable of attaining considerable international growth. Services represent new growth potential also for industry. The development of new business models requires co-operation across the boundaries of different industry branches,” says Leila-Mari Ryynänen, Director, New Business Development, Finpro.
Finpro’s special focus in the service industry is on knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) and tourism and experiential services. The Service Industry co-operates intensively with experts from other main industries of Finpro, such as the Machinery Industry and Software and Digital Media Industry.
“KIBS is an important growth area, the skills and internationalization of which are crucial to Finland’s competitiveness. The tourism industry, on the other hand, is an important forerunner in developing experiential service concepts. It is amply connected with other service industries that are central to internationalization, such as the creative industries and wellness services,” says Ryynänen.
The knowledge and skills of the service team have been enhanced by new recruits, systematic training and by networking internationally with top researchers and influential people. Finpro has 60 offices in more than 40 different countries.
Further information:
Irma Patala, Head of Service Industry, Finpro, tel. +49 172 390 96 32, irma.patala(a)finpro.fi
Leila-Mari Ryynänen, Director, New Business Development, Finpro, tel. +44 787 650 3747, leila-mari.ryynanen(a)finpro.fi
Finpro is a network of experts operating globally, promoting the internationalization of Finnish companies. Finpro’s staff, consisting of over 300 professionals, work in 60 offices in more than 40 different countries. Finpro offers its expertise and services throughout the various stages of companies’ internationalization. Expertise in various fields of business, market knowledge, efficient international and local networks, and the ability to identify and understand future business opportunities are the added value Finpro offers to Finnish industry and businesses to maintain and develop their competitiveness.