The Governor’s trade mission continued today for its first of two days in Finland.

Governor Walz started the day by meeting with Sauli Niinistö, President of Finland.

The Governor and delegation, then continued on to meet with the Ministry of Science and Culture and attended a Climate Action Lunch. These visits are following Finnish Minister Ville Skinnari’ visit to Minnesota to sign a Letter of Understanding (LoU) between Minnesota and Finland focused on increasing cooperation in the research and development of sustainable technologies to mitigate climate change, promote environmental remediation, and advance green sustainable growth.

They wrapped up the day with visits with UPM and Uponor leadership. UPM and Uponor are two of the largest Finnish companies operating in Minnesota.

Over the last two years, Uponor earned both the Governor's International Trade Awards Foreign Direct Investment Award and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal’s Minnesota Manufacturing Sustainability award. Uponor, based in Finland, first opened its North American manufacturing headquarters in Apple Valley in 1990 and has expanded its headquarters campus numerous times since then. Uponor added another facility in Hutchinson in 2017.

UPM operates the UPM-Blandin facility in Grand Rapids, MN, which currently employs about 220 people in Minnesota.

The trade mission to the United Kingdom and Finland will occur from November 13-19, 2021, with stops in the major business centers of London and Helsinki. The mission is focused on increasing state exports, promoting Minnesota as a premier destination for business investment, developing new business opportunities, and strengthening existing ties.

The trade mission is building off of the recently-launched “Build What Matters” campaign, housed at joinusmn.com, which showcases the compelling reasons for doing business in our state.

Stay in touch with trade mission updates by following DEED’s Development Blog.