On November 7th 2008, Industrial Counselor, Chairman of the Board of Sesca Group, Harri Niemelä received the Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year Award given by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.

This growth entrepreneur award that emphasizes innovativeness, growth and internationalization was given now for the first time as part of Ernst & Young’s annual Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

- The Award winner Sesca Group has developed its own special branch of business, in which it combines automation, information and communication systems into effective unities. There are innovative solutions both in the company’s products and lines of action as well as in the comprehensive consideration of customer’s point of view, argues Mikko Alkio, Secretary of State, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, as he presented the award.

Vaasa based Sesca Group is specialized in automation and ICT systems, which it supplies to customers in the energy, process and ICT industries. Last year the company’s net sales was EUR 32 million. Sesca Group employs about 450 people. Also capital investors consider Sesca Group an interesting growth company, for it received a significant capital investment last summer in order to carry out its strategy to grow and to expand to foreign markets.

- The strong entrepreneur experience as well as the know-how of the young founder co-owners is well presented in the company’s leadership. The cornerstones of its success are strong business units and internal entrepreneurship. In the future the company’s growth potential seems promising, and it will put strong emphasis on research and development and strengthening its continuous competitiveness.

- Sesca Group is an outstanding example of how it is possible in different parts of Finland to develop innovative business, which international success requires, Alkio, Secretary of State, emphasized.

The award given by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy was presented at the Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 ceremony held in Helsinki.

Further information:
Janne Känkänen
Industrial Counselor
the Ministry of Employment and the Economy
tel. +358 50 434 4930