René Graichen, COO, Plugit Ltd
What is your background in international business?
I am a German living for +13 years in Finland and used to work in China for 2 years. I hold a MBA in International Business and throughout my entire career I have been dealing with different cultural settings. I worked with multinational companies such as Parker Hannifin, Valmet, or Cargotec. My passion for international business has always been there, because I believe that successful companies have to think globally and work locally.
Why is Tampere a great place for international business?
In my view Tampere has a unique setup with lots of industrial heritage and truly global mindset to drive innovation. The mix of companies that have long-lasting history with renowned product offering and the high skilled workforce is a recipe for success - now and in the future as well. Tampere has successfully reinvented itself over the last decade and gets every day more attractive for bright minds to settle. The infrastructure, social, cultural and environmental services are of highest standards and make it a perfect place for good work life balance. Companies around the world are looking for such spots to have the competitive edge.
Why would you encourage on investing, or founding a company, in Tampere?
Beside the reasons mentioned earlier I see a very close cooperation between research, education and business support from Tampere City. The mindset for attracting new investments is present everywhere. The ratio between education and social costs is in a healthy balance. Companies investing in Tampere will have a great opportunity to accelerate and utilise the ecosystem of start and scale ups especially in digital and connectivity field. Combined with an industrial experience this is an excellent opportunity.
What are the main things you wish to promote as a Tampere Business Ambassador?
As an Tampere Business Ambassador I like to raise the awareness for Tampere internationally as a frontrunner in digitalisation and sustainability. Tampere is a serious partner in developing solutions for mega-trends such as urbanisation, electrification and natural resource scarcity. Companies should consider more to invest in Tampere to profit from the inventions in the various clusters that have evolved such as Automotive, or AI and Connectivity. Additionally I would like to offer local companies help to find the right network to industrial companies around the world to grow globally.
How would you describe Tampere as a city, what makes it unique?
At the end it’s all about the people and their mindset. Tampere is a great place to enjoy the nature and participate in world class sports & cultural events. The education and research institutes and the close cooperation with local companies make it a pioneer for creating wealth and sustainability. The friendly and welcoming attitude between locals is a blessing and appreciated by the communities. Tampere is a global city with a "Manse" local courage. People are proud about their city - that is very special.
