The electronics and electrical products industry, telecommunications and mobile technology in particular, has been the major driving force of Finland’s high-tech development for a number of years now. A number of companies have emerged as global players or have achieved global recognition, and others are well on their way to becoming strong niche players, with an international customer base and true global reach. Finland has proved to be an ideal environment for developing and testing new types of communications and information technology products, and this has undoubtedly been a factor in Finland’s success in high technology.

Electronics

“Of all the industries, the electronics and electrotechnical industry makes the largest investments in research and development – approx. 2 billion euros a year. The results speak for themselves; during recent years, the industry’s production has multiplied, with 80 per cent being exported to demanding customers around the world.” - Technology Industries of Finland

Finnish companies in the electronics and electrical products industry are internationally renowned for their superior speed of development and growth. 80 per cent of production is exported. The sector also invests extensively in product development, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the total R&D expenses of Finland’s manufacturing industry.

The sector’s innovative solutions can be found in both production processes and normal everyday life. In addition to mobile telephones, products that have achieved international success include: acceleration transducers, measuring systems developed for researching the weather and the environment, electronic taps, dentistry equipment and heart rate monitors.

International companies operating in the IT and electronics industries appreciate the skilled engineers and know-how that have been produced by the region’s competitive university education system. Developers of mobile technology gain significant benefits from the proactive role of Nokia and TeliaSonera.

One of the hottest areas of research at the moment is nanotechnology, which is the study of phenomena and processes that happen on a scale of a millionth of a millimetre. The aim of the HelsinkiNano initiative is to promote the Helsinki region to make it internationally recognised for its use and production of nanotechnology.

For further information
High Technology Finland
Technology Industries of Finland
HelsinkiNano initiative