Finnish Success Story, RELEX, Goes from Strength to Strength: Doubles in Size, Makes Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Finland Second Year Running

Helsinki-based software company RELEX is rounding of a memorable 2012 by celebrating making the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Finland for the second year in a row.

Since last year’s award’s RELEX, which designs and delivers supply-chain management development systems, has doubled its turnover. Meanwhile staff numbers at its Pitäjänmäki headquarters and international offices, have also doubled from 25 to 50.

The last 12 months have also seen the company push into key new European markets notably winning its first customers in Norway and opening an office in London as part of an effort to persuade British companies to adopt ground-breaking Finnish technology.

RELEX’s CEO Mikko Kärkkäinen says that the company has grown fast as many businesses around Europe have focused more on getting maximum value than expansion.
“In the current climate it’s harder for businesses to increase their profits by growing their market. However it’s certainly possible to increase profits by improving the service they offer customers and by cutting waste – and we do that by helping businesses radically boost the efficiency of their supply chain,” says Kärkkäinen. “RELEX offers frugal technology for frugal times.”

“If there’s a wider message in our success this last year,” says co-founder Michael Falck, “it’s this: Finland has established a reputation for excellence, especially where technology is concerned, and it’s helping us establish ourselves around Europe.

Says Mikko Kärkkäinen: “Investment in education and research may take a little time to bear fruit but the years I spent at Aalto University with my co-founders Johanna Småros and Michael Falck led directly to our launching RELEX and in just seven years we’ve created fifty good jobs.

“I think Finland’s people are the country’s greatest resource. If RELEX continues to grow as we hope it will it’s because we have this amazing resource to draw upon.”