Finland, and in particular the Helsinki Ring of Industry, continues to prove its strength as an attractive location for international industrial operations. The recent success story of Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe, part of the global industrial giant Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, is a powerful example of the region’s advantages for global businesses.
A Long-Term Partnership That Delivered Growth
The collaboration between Mitsubishi Logisnext and Finnish material handling specialist Rocla began in the early 1990s with design and manufacturing cooperation. In 2002, Mitsubishi acquired a minority stake in the then publicly listed Rocla Oyj, eventually becoming the sole owner in 2008.
The most recent milestone in this successful partnership is a major factory expansion in Järvenpää, Finland. With an investment exceeding €15 million, Mitsubishi Logisnext relocated key production operations from Sweden to Finland. The investment included a new mast production line, a state-of-the-art paint shop, and advanced welding robot cells. The official opening of the expanded factory was celebrated recently with Finland’s Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen and Mitsubishi Logisnext’s global CEO Yuichi Mano in attendance.
“Our goal is to be the industry benchmark in Finland and within the Mitsubishi Logisnext Group by 2026,” says Janne Polvilampi, Managing Director at Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe. The factory is set up to meet the demands of the fast growing intralogistic market in Europe.
A Strategic Move Driven by Innovation and Talent
The decision to centralize production in Järvenpää follows an earlier move to transfer the manufacturing of electric counterbalance trucks from the Netherlands to Finland. Järvenpää`s key strengths within Mitsubishi Logisnext group are strong product development expertise and advanced logistics solutions capabilities.
Mitsubishi Logisnext has a particular strength in automated material handling solutions, a rapidly growing global industry. The close proximity to customers, the availability of highly skilled personnel, and strong cooperation with Business Finland have all been instrumental in driving innovation and product development.
“Business Finland has been our key partner, helping us develop new innovations by bringing together research institutions and companies,” explains Polvilampi.
The company works directly with universities and research institutes, recruiting summer interns and thesis workers annually. The factory’s location in the Helsinki metropolitan area ensures access to a rich talent pool, supported by Finland’s high-quality higher education system.
A Workplace Where People Stay and Thrive
One of the pillars of Mitsubishi Logisnext’s success in Finland is its ability to attract and retain talent. Employees value the opportunity to work on tangible, globally relevant products, contributing to long and fulfilling careers. The company also collaborates with the local education provider Keuda to run customized training programs for production workers, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled labor.
“Our employees are motivated because they work with real, exciting products in a truly global environment,” says Polvilampi.
Design Excellence and Global Reach
Mitsubishi Logisnext’s customer-centric design philosophy has won international recognition, including several prestigious Red Dot Design Awards. The factory’s strategic location near key transportation routes is crucial for global exports—over 90% of production is exported, with more than 40% of the supply chain sourced within Finland and 95% within the EU. Proximity to major ports ensures smooth logistics and fast delivery times.
A Winning Formula for International Industry
Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe’s journey in Finland is a testament to the country’s strengths as a business environment: a highly skilled workforce, world-class innovation networks, efficient logistics, and a stable, business-friendly society. For global industrial players, the Helsinki Ring of Industry offers not just a place to manufacture, but a true home for long-term growth and innovation.
Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe Oy
Based in Finland, Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe Oy (MLE Oy) is a part of the Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe (MLE) Group, which belongs to the global Mitsubishi Logisnext (ML) Group, one of the world’s leading logistic solution providers. At the same time, ML is one of the group companies of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).
