BUSINESSES IN CENTRAL UUSIMAA ARE ENTHUSIASTIC DEVELOPERS

INVESTMENT APPLICATIONS AMOUNT TO MORE THAN 20 MILLION EUROS

In 2018, Keski-Uudenmaan Kehittämiskeskus Oy (Keuke) provided services to more than 2,100 clients. The number of clients rose by more than six hundred, leading to a record high total. The increase is partially explained by the fact that the counseling service for new companies became part of the services provided by Keuke, but the customer volume of existing companies also rose by more than 10 percent from the previous year.

– This is an extremely positive result and is in particular an indication that the companies in our operating area want to develop and grow, says Elina Pekkarinen, the CEO of Keuke.

In addition to the customer volume, the amount of planned investments grew from the previous year's 7 million to 20 million euros. The total amount of financing applications made through Keuke was nearly 10 million, whereas the previous year's figure was only a little over 2 million. A total of 94 financing applications were submitted, compared to 23 applications in 2017.

– Investments are the best growth indicator. This also signals that companies have confidence in the future. Based on the figures from last year, it could be said that companies in Central Uusimaa are keeping good pace.

Keuke provides its services in the areas of Järvenpää, Karkkila, Kerava, Nurmijärvi, Pornainen, Sipoo and Tuusula

CALCULATIONS REINFORCE CONFIDENCE IN THE PLANS

The large customer volumes also correlate with the various assessments and plans created on the basis of the counseling. In 2018, Keuke conducted a total of 643 business operation analyses, which was 44 more than in the previous year. Keuke produced 330 plans for various projects, 201 marketing plans, and 82 personnel plans.

The number of financial calculations and plans increased the most. Last year, Keuke produced 299 of those, whereas the corresponding figure in 2017 was 97.

– Companies want the calculations to reinforce their investment and growth plans. Calculations produced by specialists also make it easier to approach financers, says Elina Pekkarinen.

Cooperation with other operators providing services to companies has been very effective. Last year, the network consisting of other operators referred clients to Keuke 298 times.

– Growth in the volume of customers and actions has not decreased the quality. Based on the customer satisfaction survey conducted at the end of the year, our clients are very satisfied with our services. An astounding 97 percent of our clients would recommend our services, Pekkarinen says.

Keuke's counseling service for new businesses had 440 clients last year, of whom 214 had established a company by the end of the year. The viability of companies established through specialist counseling is significantly better than of those who neglect counseling. Research shows that approximately 80 percent of the companies established through counseling for new companies remain operational after five years. The corresponding figure for companies established without specialist help is approximately 50 percent.

Keuke supports the growth and success of local companies and creates conditions for creating new economic activities and developing the existing companies. Keuke provides professional advice regardless of the age, size or field of your company on all business-related matters, such as activating your company’s sales and marketing processes, solving financial and funding issues, planning investments, finding partners, internationalization and ownership changes. Keuke's regular counseling services are provided free of charge.