Norelco expands into Jyväskylä – skilled professionals and good connections were deciding factors

Norelco is expanding its electrical engineering and services business and is seeking growth in Jyväskylä. Good links to its own production facilities were also important to the Savonlinna-based company.

An increasingly electrified society needs professionals who can pre-design, manufacture and maintain electricity distribution solutions throughout their entire lifecycle.

“We are delighted that Norelco has chosen Jyväskylä as the location for its new office. It has been a pleasure to work with them right from the very start as the relocation project has progressed towards the opening of their new office here,” says Harri Heinänen, Manager of Soft Landing Services

Wayna Moncada, Norelco’s Business Director, describes the company’s decision to locate its new office in Jyväskylä as part of a growth strategy.

The Jyväskylä unit complements the overall offering at a time when customers’ needs are increasingly extending from the early stages of a project through to installation, maintenance and, ultimately, system modernisation.

“By combining pre-design, manufacturing and maintenance, we are positioning ourselves as a long-term partner in electricity distribution,” Moncada summarises.

The skilled workforce and location were the deciding factors

Three factors were particularly important in the decision to expand to Jyväskylä: the city’s skilled workforce, its location and the operational link to Norelco’s own manufacturing facilities in Savonlinna and Kuopio.

Jyväskylä’s strong higher education sector offers the company the opportunity to build a long-term recruitment pipeline.

Moncada speaks of a talent pipeline rather than individual recruitment. Links with educational institutions, students and soon-to-be-qualified professionals can, over time, become an integral part of the company’s day-to-day operations. He believes that collaboration with educational institutions will also deepen once operations in Jyväskylä are fully up and running.

The location has a number of practical benefits for Norelco. Jyväskylä is in the centre of Finland, close to customers and transport links, whilst also being reasonably close to the production units in Savonlinna and Kuopio. When electrical design is located close to manufacturing, solutions can be developed in closer collaboration.

"This facilitates project delivery and improves the overall experience for the customer. It is a competitive advantage that design solutions are developed close to where they are implemented", says Moncada.

Electrification, renewable energy solutions, data centres and the securing of critical infrastructure are increasing the need for expertise in electric power distribution. At the same time, the existing electricity grid is aging, and the maintenance deficit is driving up demand for servicing, design and planned maintenance.

The city opened doors to local networks

Jyväskylä City’s Business Services were already involved at a stage when Norelco’s plans were only just taking shape.

According to Moncada, the process has been exceptionally smooth. The city has provided information on premises, visibility and recruitment support, and has helped to open doors to local networks.

So far, the experience has been really good. The welcome has been down-to-earth, proactive and encouraging, Moncada describes.

The benefits are also evident in the office space solutions. Norelco is located in Jyväskylä within an already established business environment, where sharing the same premises and everyday interactions naturally result in contacts with other businesses. According to Moncada, this kind of business cluster makes it easier for new businesses to become part of the local business environment.

In Jyväskylä, businesses are not left to their own. The city’s Business Services are designed to simplify the day-to-day challenges of growth and to offer practical support at different stages of a business’s development. For example, business services help by facilitating recruitment, identifying funding options or opening doors to international growth.

It’s easy to settle in Jyväskylä

In Jyväskylä, you can see the same kind of momentum as in Norelco’s own growth story: the city is growing, developing and attracting skilled professionals. According to Moncada, for companies in the industrial and technical sectors, Jyväskylä’s strength lies in its combination of expertise, accessibility and a positive attitude. Transport links are also important for a company engaged in international business.

Investments in the green transition in Central Finland also play a key role in the region’s appeal. Moncada sees demand and a foundation for growth in the region for companies building new business models around electrification, energy technology and industrial services.

For Norelco, Jyväskylä is indeed a place where industrial expertise, the development of service businesses and growing customer demand meet.

Moncada’s message to other companies considering where to locate is clear: it is easy to set up in the city when you are met with skilled professionals, networks and a genuine desire to get things moving.