Today we are introducing one of our partners that we have been working very closely with for the last year. This partnership is with Econet Oy (Ltd) and we have interviewed their COO, Mika Kärkkäinen. At the end of September 2023, Econet and EPSE signed a Cooperation agreement for operations in Central Asia and APAC. Let’s dive deeper into what the first year of this partnership has looked like.
In November of 2022 our CEO, Jouni Jääskeläinen was on a delegation trip to Uzbekistan. During this trip Kärkkäinen and Jääskeläinen met for the first time. Econet, a specialist company in designing and implementing water and wastewater treatment facilities, was seen to synergize seamlessly with EPSE’s unique technology for soluble metal removal. “It was very clear from the beginning that together, we have an opportunity to create something meaningful and support each other’s business operations,” Kärkkäinen describes the beginning of this business relationship.
Exploring Central Asia Together
According to Kärkkäinen, the partnership between Econet and EPSE has been working smoothly as they have established a great professional level as well as a solid and trustworthy base for their collaborations. By combining their own areas of expertise, the partnership has enabled the offering of comprehensive technological solutions for several industrial operators. During last year, Econet and EPSE have actively worked in Central Asia together. In these projects, Econet oversees process design and project management, administration, and delivery of equipment while EPSE provides their patented technological solution for water treatment. “When we are working together, getting the message out to the world feels a lot easier with a trustworthy partner, with whom we share the vision of the direction we are headed at.”, Kärkkäinen stresses the importance of having reliable partners.
The Role of Finnish Water Forum
“Finnish companies in the water sector are very small to work alone on bigger projects outside of Finland, that’s why we need to unite.”
Kärkkäinen is also the chairman of Finnish Water Forums East group (FWF). FWF is a union of Finnish water expertise, seeking to explore partnerships between Finnish companies and offer technological solutions for water challenges globally. FWF has support from ministries, education communities and Finnish companies. “Finnish companies in the water sector are very small to work alone on bigger projects outside of Finland, that’s why we need to unite. Our successful cooperation with EPSE has demonstrated this very well. By forming these partnerships with other Finnish companies, we are seen as much bigger than we are. FWF also supports this partnership and from them we get more contacts which is a great help to us.”, Kärkkäinen highlights the role of FWF.
Visions for exporting Finnish know-how
In the future Kärkkäinen hopes he can help the next generation of exporting professionals. According to his experiences gathered over the years, exporting to a foreign market can be very challenging for young companies: “When you are in an unknown land, and away from home, there is no simple rule book you can rely for help with the things you should do succeed.”
His vision is for younger people to get the chance to learn and grow their knowledge by working beside more experienced parties. “I personally got tutoring from more experienced engineers when I was younger, so I feel it’s my turn to share my knowledge and my experiences with those who need it.” Jääskeläinen and Kärkkäinen have discussed about the possible ways to help other companies who are starting in the Central Asian market, and they are open to the idea of working with companies that are new to the exporting-scene. Both gentlemen engage actively in different market info sessions and delegation visits organized for Finnish companies, having already shared many tips and experiences in e.g., Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Celebrating the successful partnership
During the first cooperation cases, it has become very clear that this partnership has been very successful and both companies are excited to see what is coming next. We here at EPSE believe that the mutual trust and respect towards each other are the key factors for this partnership working. Econet continues to help EPSE and vice versa, and we couldn’t be more grateful about it. Thank you to Econet Oy and Mr. Kärkkäinen for a great first year of partnership!