The Japan Times WORLD EYE REPORTS FINLAND
©THE JAPAN TIMES	Sunday, March 10, 2002

From Finland's backyard to the global economic stage

For years, people have questioned the future of small and medium-sized enterprises in a global market. However, the continued success of key niche players has silenced many of the critics, and strengthened SMEs' positions both at home and abroad. Finland has found success in many areas -- most notably telecommunications and pulp and paper -- but its corporate success extends to many more than a few big players. It is the SMEs that form the true backbone of this economy and they will continue to play an important role in the new millenium. In Finland, while many of the leading companies are centered near Helsinki, much of the business and industry can be found in the outlying areas. Oulu, on the western coast of Finland, is home to approximately 200,000 people. It is also site of Technopolis, one of Europe's biggest technology parks.

JOT Automation President Teijo Fabritius vows only the timeliest of solutions to his company's clients.

One SME headquartered in Oulu -- JOT Automation -- is creating quite a name for itself. Currently, it does 41.8 percent of its business with the telecommunications sector. However, under the leadership of its president, Teijo Fabritius, new avenues for growth and profit are being explored. "We see photonics and electronics production automation for sub-assemblies and components as key fields for growth in the future," he began.

"We are a solutions partner. By applying our core expertise in industrial automation to our clients" needs we are able to provide them with efficient, modular solutions. The key to success lies in providing these solutions quickly. Our clients benefit from the competitive advantage of automated production or delivery, and the product appears "just on time" -- hence the name of our company.

"We are very optimistic about the future," Fabritius continued. "The requirements of emergent 3G mobile telephony technology will place renewed emphasis on our products." Whether in assemblies, test equipment or solutions, JOT has a strong competitive edge as a one-stop-shop for the industrial automation needs of a range of industrial sectors.

Keeping in mind the need to stay competitive in knowledge-based industries through continuous research and development, Fabritius plans to invest between 6 and 7 percent of net sales in R&D projects.

"Knowledge both of our product and our clients' needs is crucial to survival in this industry," he stressed. "As production becomes dependent on high levels of assembly precision, it is only possible to increase quality and volume through automation solutions. These new sectors will provide us with the opportunities to grow and diversify our portfolio."

In the eyes of its president, the company's greatest asset is still its flexibility. "We are relatively small," Fabritius explained, "but this allows us the freedom of thought and speed that you simply cannot have in a larger operation. No other sector of manufacturing has seen change come as rapidly as the electronics industry. Companies that are going to survive in this era must be nimble and intelligent. When product life-cycles are this short you need the quickest time to production, and that is where our expertise lies."

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