Industrial fair in Oulu looked to the brighter future
24.5.2010A two-day fair for maintenance, subcontracting and automation ended in atmosphere of hot weather in Oulu. There were 240 exhibitors from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia and Poland showing their know-how and solutions in Oulu hall. According to preliminary calculations, there were almost 2500 professionals of industry visiting the fair.
One of the high points of the event was a panel of experts on the first exhibition day. The subject of the panel was Light in the tunnel – Future projects of the industry in Northern Finland. The president of the conversation, Esa Pellikainen from Oulu Chamber of Commerce, opened the conversation by asking about views of operational environment in every panellist’s field. Maintenance Manager Erkki Niska from Outokumpu Tornio Works told that view in steel production is brighter and suspended investments will be taken to new examination. The factory manager of Rautaruukki Raahe, Kari Ojala, told the capacity to be currently in half of what it could be, because of renovation. From the beginning of June production will be in its full capacity again, as the renovated blast furnace is also in use again. It has been an enormous investment. Communications manager Maira Kettunen from Fennovoima Oy told about current situation of the project on nuclear power plant, where the atmosphere is expecting. If the parliament affirms Fennovoima the expected permission for nuclear power plant project, the location district will be either Pyhäjoki or Simo. If the decision is positive, the direct and indirect effects to the economy in Oulu area will be remarkable. After the selection of location district in year 2011, the constructional work of basic infrastructure will begin. The actual nuclear power production would begin in year 2020.
Aiming for safer maintenance
Occupational safety was strongly on view at the fair. ”The best thing about year 2009 is that it is over. There was something good in it though. Safety issues in Outokumpu improved significantly during the year and we are again one step closer to safe maintenance. The goal is for the amount of occupational accidents to be zero.” commented Erkki Niska from Outokumpu Tornio Works. In exhibition area, on stand of Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, was told of an occupational safety campaign of European maintenance, which Occupational Safety and Health Administration coordinates. The project is biennial. The entirety was completed by several companies in field of occupational safety
Maintenance and subcontracting again in spring 2012
Next time the professionals of maintenance and subcontracting will gather in Oulu hall 23-24 May 2012. Sales of exhibition space will begin in spring 2011.
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