30.6.2020

Never Miss a Crisis

As we approach the summer holidays here in Finland, nature is at its most beautiful, and it is easy for one’s thoughts to turn to the lighter and more pleasant sides of life. The reality, however, is that we are still living in a time of crisis, albeit one that has come to a crossroads—at least in Finland. As we begin a gradual return to normal, the temptation to go back to old ways of doing things is strong, but we need to ask ourselves what we can learn from this crisis. When at a crossroads, it is important to pick a road that leads somewhere better.

During the crisis this spring, organisations transformed themselves into virtual workplaces with astonishing speed. It quickly became clear that working as an expert is not tied to time or place. Nevertheless, I still believe that a unified team draws its strength from human encounters and a sense of community. Human interaction is the glue that keeps an organisation together and on its feet.

From the perspective of leadership, the crisis has clarified decision making by putting priorities into sharp relief. When the view forward is foggy, you have no choice but to focus on fundamentals and push aside the unnecessary. You have to communicate often, clearly and openly–to tell the truth, even when it is unpleasant. You also have to have the courage to say you don’t have the answers and that the future is uncertain. These principles are certainly applicable at any time.

We spend much of our lives at work, which is why it is so important to develop work sustainably. This is one area that the pandemic could help point the way to something better. Commercial law is a hectic business, and working as a business lawyer can at times be very intense. At Castrén & Snellman, we have put a great deal of time and effort into helping our ambitious employees make their day-to-day lives as balanced as possible, even when they find themselves having to juggle work with family life. I believe that the crisis will help us find many good solutions as we move forward.

The personal and economic price of the pandemic is huge. When rebuilding our society and economy, it is important that we don’t just repair old structures but renew them. We need to work towards a more sustainable, environmentally friendly and responsible future. Let’s make sure that the cost of this crisis is not wasted, but that we use it in a way that will enable us to meet the next crisis stronger than ever.

Latest references

We advised a financier consortium including OP Corporate Bank plc, Nordea Bank Abp, and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB in a leveraged financing arrangement for Vexve, a company owned by DevCo Partners Oy. The financing included EUR 143 million acquisition, refinancing and other facilities for, among other things, the financing of Vexve’s acquisition of Denmark-based Frese A/S, a leading manufacturer of dynamic balancing valves for hydronic networks. Vexve’s combined turnover after the completion of the transaction will be ca. EUR 200 million. Vexve is the leading European provider of valve solutions for the energy sector and selected energy-intensive industries.
Case published 7.2.2025
Castrén & Snellman is acting as the legal advisor to the City of Pori and Pori Energia Oy in the finance arrangement whereby debt facilities in the total amount of EUR 292 million are secured for the purpose of refinancing the existing liabilities and fuelling the future growth of Pori Energia. Pori Energia and its financiers signed a Finnish law governed facilities agreement for this purpose on 13 January 2025. Pori Energia, a multi-utility company, operates in various sectors including district heating, electricity distribution, and electricity generation through CHP and renewable sources. The company also provides wind power services and industrial energy solutions in the Satakunta region where it has c. 60,000 customers.
Case published 6.2.2025
We advised Sanok Rubber Company S.A. in connection with a transaction where the Polish International Development Fund 2 FIZ AN acquired 30% of the shares in Teknikum Group Ltd from Sanok Rubber Company S.A. Teknikum Group is a European polymer technology company serving industrial customers in need of reliable rubber, plastic, silicone, polyurethane, and foam solutions. The group has approximately 600 employees and operates four production plants in Finland and one in Hungary, and a sales office in Germany. Sanok Rubber Company S.A. is the European leader in the field of rubber products, rubber-to-metal articles and combination of rubber with other materials for the automotive, construction, agriculture, pharmacy and household appliances. Sanok Rubber Company S.A. is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and employs more than 3,000 people in Europe and North America. Polish International Development Fund 2 FIZ AN is one of two specialised foreign expansion funds managed by PFR TFI. The fund’s aim is to co-finance foreign investments of Polish companies. We advised Sanok Rubber Company S.A. together with the Polish law firm Rymarz Zdort Maruta.
Case published 3.2.2025
Castrén & Snellman is acting as the legal advisor to the City of Pori in its sale of a 49% stake in Pori Energia to Polhem Infra. Pori Energia, a multi-utility company, operates in various sectors including district heating, electricity distribution, and electricity generation through CHP and renewable sources. The company also provides wind power services and industrial energy solutions in the Satakunta region. This strategic partnership between the City of Pori and Polhem Infra aims to enhance Pori Energia’s financial stability and investment capabilities, enabling the company to further its efforts in the energy transition and continue delivering high-quality energy services to its customers. Polhem Infra, owned by Swedish state pension funds, focuses on investments in critical infrastructure, including renewable electricity generation, energy storage, energy distribution, digital infrastructure, and transport infrastructure. The transaction values Pori Energia at EUR 905 million. 
Case published 31.1.2025