Over the past century, Finland has evolved from an agrarian society into a high-technology exporting nation through four industrial revolutions. The fifth is underway now, and the subcontracting network is once again driving it. Taina Susiluoto and Teemu Polo from Technology Industries of Finland explain why this moment is uniquely significant.
Technological transformation and geopolitical restructuring are reshaping the world at pace, and the technology industry is at the centre of events. Artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation are opening new opportunities where specialised, quality-driven expertise is in enormous demand.
– Growth is happening across all industrial sectors, and the market is ready: since the 2008 financial crisis, demand has only been at this level three times before, says
Taina Susiluoto, CEO of Technology Industries of Finland.
Finland’s largest export sector is experiencing its best growth conditions in decades
Technology Industries of Finland accounts for over half of Finland’s goods exports and two thirds of business R&D investment.
- Technology Industries of Finland’s 1,800 member companies employ 331,000 professionals. Over 90% of member companies are SMEs.
- The technology industry’s order book grew by 19% at the end of 2025, and export order books by 25% year-on-year.
- In the final quarter of 2025, new orders were at their highest since 2010.
- 2,500 new jobs have been created in the sector over the past year. The multiplier effect through subcontracting chains raises this figure to 5,000.
PHOTO: Taina Susiluoto, CEO of Technology Industries of Finland, encourages Finnish subcontracting companies to pursue growth boldly.
Specialisation makes subcontractors indispensable
Orders in the technology industry increasingly reflect the combined effect of multiple actors, and virtually nothing could happen without subcontracting companies.
– A cruise ship project, for instance, involves a network of tens or even hundreds of subcontractors before the vessel leaves the shipyard. Subcontracting companies are often specialised in a very specific problem or method. That is where the capability comes from that has always underpinned Finnish industry’s success: high quality, flexibility, and the ability to solve complex problems, says
Teemu Polo, Senior Expert at Technology Industries of Finland.
Taina Susiluoto adds that, in a changing global landscape, the technology industry and its subcontractors have been required to demonstrate tremendous resilience.
– Geopolitical turbulence works particularly in Finland’s favour. European companies are looking for nearby, reliable supply chain partners. That is something we can offer.
Strong on technology, weak on marketing
Finnish subcontracting companies would do well to set their sights more boldly on international markets. According to Susiluoto and Polo, being Finnish is not in itself a trump card — in competitive tenders, options are assessed from a much wider field:
– We could look to Sweden as a model for commercialisation skills. Marketing and branding matter a great deal when it comes to closing deals and driving growth.
There is also merit in the courage to seek a foothold in new markets. The defence industry, for example, is currently seeing more growth than it has people to deliver it.
– The products required there are often dual-use: the same technology applies to civilian applications as well. We have a wealth of expertise that could find real use in this field too, says Susiluoto.
Young people bring the digital skills this era demands
A growing order book is driving demand for people, and employment in the industry is currently strong: headcount in the machinery and metal products sector recently returned to its highest level since 2008, and the sector has created 2,500 new jobs over the past year. Including multiplier effects through subcontracting chains, the figure rises to 5,000.
For the talent shortage, Susiluoto looks to young digital natives for a solution:
– Young people should be brought into more demanding roles early in their careers. They bring the digital skills this era demands. Internships and summer jobs are to the benefit of both companies and society as a whole.
Technology Industries of Finland also supports the recruitment of young talent in practice: students can, for example, access funding for thesis projects at member companies.
Alihankinta opens up growth opportunities
Alihankinta (Subcontracting Fair Finland) is the industry’s most important annual gathering, where principals seek new partners and subcontractors seek new clients. Technology Industries of Finland originally founded the fair and again has a prominent presence this year.
– Our role at the fair is to share expertise and to listen to what is happening in the field. In addition, our industry association AI Finland helps companies adopt artificial intelligence regardless of sector or size, says Polo.
Susiluoto and Polo note that the best subcontractors prepare for growth opportunities well in advance. The fair may offer a springboard and even international collaboration.
– The fifth technology leap is happening now. Carpe diem! encourage Susiluoto and Polo.
Alihankinta takes place in Tampere from 29 September to 1 October 2026. Find out more and register: alihankinta.fi
