Round Table at the Subcontracting Fair – new perspectives and concrete benefits for management

Column  07.02.2025

Last autumn’s Subcontracting Fair featured the first-ever Round Table event, bringing together hydrogen economy experts, business leaders, and other ecosystem actors. The invitation-only event created an excellent framework for in-depth discussions and offered new perspectives on current hydrogen industry trends. 

The theme for the first-ever Round Table event was built around the timely topic of the hydrogen industry. The event focused on the opportunities and challenges of the hydrogen economy as part of the future of industries, cities, and regions. The invited guests included industry experts, business leaders, and other ecosystem actors. One of the participants was Aleksi Arpiainen, CEO of TT Gaskets, a company producing world-class industrial gaskets. The hydrogen economy is a growing sector where TT Gaskets is also involved through its new solutions. 

“Hydrogen is an interesting substance from a sealing perspective, as being a small-molecule gas makes it challenging to control. Our goal is to make industry safer through innovative sealing solutions, so we see great growth potential for us here,” states Arpiainen. 

The presentations heard at the event laid the groundwork for discussions that covered the development of the hydrogen economy value chain in Finland and opportunities to build stronger cooperation arrangements. “It’s important to see the bigger picture you’re part of and understand what other ecosystem actors consider important. This helps us identify our own opportunities as part of the hydrogen industry,” summarizes Arpiainen, who believes in the power of networking and ecosystem collaboration. 

Open discussion creates foundations for cooperation 

The event’s success was significantly influenced by its compact group of participants and the use of the Chatham House Rule. The rule ensures the confidentiality of discussions, encouraging open dialogue and enabling genuine deepening of conversation. 

 “Through expert introductions, we quickly got beyond surface-level discussion in small groups, which would have been difficult in a larger event,” says Arpiainen, noting that the highlight of the event was the opportunity to put faces to names and engage in direct discussions with decision-makers. 

“This accelerates the formation of cooperation and creates a foundation for the success of the entire industry. After the event, concrete connections were made that have helped us advance pilot projects related to the hydrogen economy. Such contacts often develop slowly, but now there were real decision-makers present who enabled direct discussion,” Arpiainen explains. Collaboration on pilot projects is important for TT Gaskets, but building connections, especially with large companies, normally takes months, if not years. 

“The event included key actors with whom we were able to agree on next steps more quickly than would normally be possible.” 

Round Table complements the fair experience 

Tampere-based TT Gaskets makes industry safer with intelligent sealing solutions in Finland and fifty other countries. The Subcontracting Fair is a familiar environment for TT Gaskets, as the company has been participating for a couple of decades, gradually expanding its exhibition space. 

“The fair with its various side events is an important event for our entire organization. Through the fair, our entire operational field becomes familiar, and I have always encouraged our staff to actively participate in Subcontracting events,” says Arpiainen, who is a third-generation family entrepreneur. 

“What could be better than having the whole playing field easily accessible in your hometown.” 

According to Arpiainen, the Round Table event complemented the fair experience by bringing depth and new opportunities. “This format is particularly suitable for examining new phenomena, such as the hydrogen economy. Ecosystem thinking is important when aiming for international success.” 

Arpiainen believes that Round Table events could be developed further by adding an international perspective. “The hydrogen economy is a global opportunity, and although Finland has strong expertise, an international perspective would bring new dimensions to the discussion. For example, including foreign customers or experts could enrich the event’s content even further.” 

Subcontracting Fair as a showcase for pioneering 

The Subcontracting Fair has established its position not only as an industrial networking forum but also as a place where future trends and phenomena are highlighted. The Round Table event is a good example of this, as it offers corporate management deeper discussions and concrete opportunities to develop business. 

“Round Table was an excellent initiative and proof that the Subcontracting Fair is a living organism that always manages to renew itself. It’s important that renewal is done in cooperation with customers and fair visitors,” commends Arpiainen. 

“I hope that similar events will be organized in the future, and that even more company representatives will be included. This is a good way to address emerging trends and build stronger ecosystems.” 

The Round Table event demonstrates how the Subcontracting Fair adapts to industry needs and provides a place where both ideas and connections for future success are created. In 2025, the Subcontracting Fair with its side events will once again delve into topics that resonate with industry actors. Follow our news and stay tuned!