WTC Turku Internationalization Award 2023
The WTC Turku Internationalization Award recognizes and encourages companies in Southwest Finland, that have succeeded in the international markets.
The award has its roots in the Turku Chamber of Commerce’s export award, which was an honorary award given to an international company from the Turku region. The export award was last given in 2021 and over the years a dozen local companies were awarded.
From 2023, the award has been renewed and is known as the WTC Turku Internationalization Award. The criterion for winning the WTC Turku Internationalization Award is that the winner has operated in international markets for at least three years and has demonstrated continuous growth in international operations and the company’s operations must be established and financially stable.
Other merits in the field of internationalization are also considered when evaluating proposals. The WTC Turku backing organizations Turku Chamber of Commerce, Business Turku and Varsinais-Suomen Yrittäjät each propose one local company as the recipient of the award, and in addition, WTC Turku Club members can propose a company. The board of WTC Turku Ry selects the winning company, which is awarded annually at the event arranged in conjunction with the WTC Turku Ry annual meeting.
Dewaco Oy from Laitila has received the WTC Turku Internationalization Award 2023. Dewaco manufactures Dewa-branded sludge treatment equipment in Laitila, which is an important part of the process of drinking and wastewater treatment plants. In 2022, over half of Dewaco’s turnover came from developing countries.
“In addition to quality, we also want to offer competitively priced products so that the equipment can be sold in countries where the need is greatest. The WTC Turku Internationalization Award is a great tribute to the work, expertise, and enthusiasm with which Dewaco employees create a cleaner future every day,” said Riku Granberg, CEO of Dewaco, who received the award at the award ceremony held at the Visitor and Innovation Center Joki in Turku on 20.11.2023.
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Mr. Ville Tavio joined the event and presented the award. In his keynote speech, Mr. Tavio focused on the future of export and world trade in the changing environment and especially on the role and meaning of the state as an enabler of success and growth.
Jari Rastas, Chairman of WTC Turku Ry, justifies Dewaco’s selection as the award recipient: “From among the good candidates, Dewaco emerged as a globally operating, specialized, and successful company in an industry whose importance is only growing with climate change. Vital water is a diminishing natural resource. The company’s products also have a significant environmental impact.”
Heidi Saaristo, head of WTC Turku, praised Dewaco as an example of exporting water expertise outside Finland. “In addition to water expertise, Dewaco has important expertise in international trade and the ability to find the right partners both here at home and in target markets. The combination of a good product and commercial expertise has led to good results,” Saaristo said.
Throughout its history, Dewaco has delivered equipment to more than 90 countries. European countries such as Germany have traditionally been strong markets for the company, but recently growth has come from countries such as China, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Despite the growth, CEO Granberg says the effects of the coronavirus are still being felt in the business.
WTC Turku is a part of the global network that promotes and strengthens international trade. More than 300 WTCs in nearly 100 countries are supporting companies to grow internationally.
WTC Turku has been in operation since 1993 and functions as the first contact for the local companies going abroad. In addition to member services, WTC Turku arranges information and networking events and welcomes foreign business delegations to the area.
For more information on the award or the work of World Trade Center Turku, contact the Director of Operations Heidi Saaristo at +358 10 321 8868.
