With the establishment of a Finnish company, Brüning Group Finland Oy, we are consistently pursuing our international growth strategy and strengthening our presence in Scandinavia in order to tap into additional market potential in the Northern European market. Alongside our already established activities in Denmark and Sweden, the Finnish market offers significant growth potential. As Business Development Manager Finland, Janne Hannula is responsible for building up the new company and developing the business locally.
A STRATEGIC STEP INTO A DYNAMIC MARKET
The establishment of a dedicated subsidiary in Finland is a key element of the Brüning Group’s long-term growth strategy. The country plays a vital role in the Northern European raw materials and energy market and is closely linked to the markets of neighbouring countries. Another driver behind this step is the current trend in the energy markets in Europe: since the war in Ukraine, many markets have become more European-oriented, alternative sources of raw materials are gaining importance, and the demand for reliable international supply chains is increasing.
FOCUS ON ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND BIOMASS
The activities of Brüning Group Finland Oy focus in particular on substitute fuels and biogenic solid fuels. Janne Hannula sees considerable potential in various waste and wood residue streams: “Industry must replace fossil fuels and requires large quantities of alternative materials to do so. It is therefore crucial to utilise material streams efficiently and offer flexible solutions.” At the same time, we can apply our many years of experience in the management of material streams in Finland. In fact, the Brüning Group is already known among numerous potential customers in Finland. This positive reputation further facilitates market entry. “The Brüning Group is regarded as a reliable partner with a strong spirit of cooperation – which helps us greatly in building new partnerships,” Janne emphasises.
The key focus is on supplying the Finnish market through targeted imports. To this end, the Brüning Group is currently working on the establishment of further import hubs, in addition to the existing terminals in Varberg and Oskarshamn in Sweden. Prior to the war in Ukraine, Finland was heavily dependent on timber imports from Russia. With the start of the war, this supply stream collapsed as a result of sanctions, and the country has since been sourcing primarily from its own forests – albeit with limited capacity. Due to the climatic conditions, annual growth rates in Finland amount to only four to five cubic metres per hectare, compared with around twelve to 15 cubic metres per hectare in Germany. With the establishment of Brüning Group Finland Oy, we are thus creating another foundation for international expansion, the efficient use of alternative fuels, and security of supply in Europe.