Ships, design and life sciences: Looking both West and East

The broad base of Turku’s economy means that it has not been as rocked by the recent economic recession as some European Union cities. It is renowned for its design companies, shipbuilding and burgeoning life science industries. Topping this, tourism is expanding, particularly in the unique archipelago. Westwards to Sweden and eastwards to Russia and China, new markets beckon on the horizon.     

Arts and crafts industries were the first to develop in the city with professionals starting their businesses in the 1600's. The Kupittaa Clay ceramics factory dates back to the 1750's and a thriving textile industry developed in Kestilä, near Turku, in the early 1900's. The furniture manufacturing, company Huonekalutehdas Korhonen, was founded in 1910 and used designs of celebrated Finnish designer and architect, Alvar Aalto (1898-1976). People come from all over Finland to buy the products of Turku’s design companies which will be showcased in the ‘Turku Design Phenomenon Project’ during the Capital of Culture events. Another project, ‘Dimensions on Wood’ will feature the growth of Huonekalutehdas Korhonen.

World-class ship manufacturer

Shipbuilding also has a long history, dating back to the early 1700's when the firstwooden boats were constructed at the mouth of the river Aura. Although orders have slackened in recent years, Turku’s shipyards have made some of the biggest ships ever built, notably for the cruise line, Royal Caribbean International. Whilst awaiting fresh orders, Aleksi Randell, Mayor of Turku, says that on-going Russian oil and drilling operations in North Lapland, are expected to create demand for a different kind of ship - icebreakers. Ever-innovative Turku-based companies, with their long tradition in shipbuilding, are now seeking to adapt their skills to land-based industries such as buildings that float, explains the business manager of the City of Turku, Kalle Euro. The waste water treatment company, Clewer was expected to travel to China in March 2011, he says, to seek new clients and Turku-based firms have exported well-made, unbreakable public toilets to Switzerland and Austria.

Other manufacturing in the Turku region includes electrical and hybrid cars at Uusikauanki. Industrial design companies, Provoke and ED, have collaborated with the Nokia mobile phone company which has a factory in Salo, near Turku. Before the recession, unemployment stood at eight per cent in Turku although it has now crept up to 12 per cent, says the Mayor, adding that new market opportunities in both Russia and China abound. The Russian city of St. Petersburg is just five hours away from Turku by train. “We know how to work with Russia,” says Mayor Randell.  The city is attracting an increasing number of Russian tourists, the Mayor tells us, most heading for the unique and idyllic archipelago of 20,000 islands where many rent cottages during the long days of summer.

Links with Russia and China   

The trans-Siberian railway starts in Turku and links the city with Vladivostok and beyond to Beijing. Turku is twinned with Tianjin in China, a city with a population of 12 million. “We are trusted and loyal and people keep coming back to us,” says Kalle Euro. “The Chinese value the involvement of the Turku city administration in making business contacts,” he adds.

Other growing opportunities for Turku are in bio-imaging – the creation of ‘3d’ images, which show how diseases such as cancer progress, and ‘e-health’.  Turku researchers have pioneered and collected data in particular on hormonal disease.  Turku Science Park, set up 22 years ago, is a catalyst for such innovation. It is a “triple helix of universities, private companies and the public sector,” explains its Chief Executive Officer, Rikumatti Levomäki, bringing together science, research and business concerns under one roof. He agrees that there are huge opportunities in both Russia and China. “We cannot compete on price but we can on innovation and by providing the best available equipment,” he says. 

Consultants from Turku’s Science Park worked on a feasibility study to set up a similar innovation hub in South Africa’s Gauteng province in 2008 under the COFISA programme between South Africa and Finland to enhance the South African National System of Innovation (SANSI). Gauteng’s ‘Centres of Excellence’ focus on research into telecommunications, laser technology and biotechnology, such as malaria, HIV/Aids and tuberculosis.

Debra Percival

For more on Turku Science park: http://www.turkusciencepark.com/