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Natural synergies allow small company to compete with multinationals From its roots in Japan, Nana Eurooppa has grown to become a major lumber supplier to the international construction trade. Formed in Neuvoton, Finland in 1996, the company now exports nearly 10,000 cubic meters of lumber to Japan each month. "Japan is the second largest consumer of lumber in the world, and we currently export 13 percent of all the lumber that goes from Finland to Japan," stated Hideki Ogawa, managing director of Nana Eurooppa. In an industry traditionally dominated by giant multinational companies, modern transportation and logistics technology has opened the door for serious competition. It now costs nearly the same amount to ship lumber from Finland to Japan as it does to transport it from Tokyo to Osaka. This drop in transportation costs, along with a streamlining of the logistical chain enables the lumber trader to quickly respond to changing demand and market forces. "It is now possible for a family company such as ours to excel in international business," exclaimed Ogawa. "We are now able to supply Finnish Spruce to Japan at competitive prices, while maintaining a strong commitment to the environment and sustainable development." The Ogawa family is actively expanding its presence in Finland. It is taking full advantage of the natural and logistical benefits offered by the country through a joint venture with Misawa Homes and enjoying the organic growth of existing sites. "It is easy to do business in this country, especially when compared to countries such as Canada and the USA," Ogawa continued. "Finland is a country where people are genuinely interested in the lumber industry, and an excellent infrastructure already exists. This combination of know-how, infrastructure, and the natural synergies between Japan and Finland is difficult to find anywhere else in the world."
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