9.9.2019

What Will Finland Be Like in 2049? New podcast series looks to the future

Castrén & Snellman’s experts will dig into this question with other professionals from different fields in a new podcast series, ‘Suomi 2049’. Its eight episodes will cover topics such as the transformation of work, sustainability, digitalisation, Finnish and European policy and Finland’s competitiveness.

Our speakers are Outi Tähtinen, Partner, employment law expert; Anna Kuusniemi-Laine, Partner, sustainability specialist; Eija Warma-Lehtinen, Partner, data and technology expert; Mikko Alakare, Partner, tax expert and referee; and Managing Partner Sakari Lukinmaa.

In the first episode, Outi Tähtinen will talk about the future of work together with Hannu Kahra, university lecturer of Finance at the University of Oulu; Gun Eklund, Managing Director at the Folkhälsan Välfärd healthcare organisation; and Juha Kostiainen, Executive Vice President, Urban Development at YIT and representative of the Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries. The podcast is hosted by futurist Mika Aaltonen.

The first episode came out on 4 September. It will be followed by a new episode every Wednesday. The podcast is available on all platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, Google Podcast, Acast and Castbox.

The Suomi2049 podcast will plunge into big questions that touch upon Finland’s competitiveness and ask how the decisions we make now will affect our lives in the years to come. Join us and listen to what the future might look like!

Latest references

We advised G&W Electric with its acquisition of Safegrid Oy, a leading provider of intelligent grid monitoring solutions based in Finland. The acquisition accelerates G&W Electric’s long-term strategy to integrate intelligent monitoring and predictive analytics into its power distribution portfolio, strengthening its offering to utility customers worldwide. Founded in 1905 and headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, G&W Electric is a global leader in innovative power grid solutions, with a presence in over 100 countries. The company is known for advanced load and fault interrupting switches, reclosers, sensors, system protection equipment, power grid automation, intelligent grid monitoring, and transmission and distribution cable accessories. Safegrid is a Finnish technology company headquartered in Espoo, Finland. The company develops the Intelligent Grid System®, a grid monitoring solution that combines instant-on wireless sensors with advanced analytics to deliver real-time insight into grid conditions, enabling utilities to identify emerging issues, anticipate failures, and reduce outage duration across medium and high voltage distribution and transmission networks.
Case published 8.5.2026
We advised Kiwa in its acquisition of Sertio Oy, a Finnish notified body designated by the authority in accordance with the EU Regulation on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR). Sertio provides conformity assessment services in accordance with IVDR. Kiwa is one of the world’s leading testing, inspection, and certification companies, operating in over 35 countries. 
Case published 7.5.2026
We advised Metsäkonepalvelu Oy in its acquisition of the entire share capital of Junnonen Forest Oy, a Finnish timber harvesting services company, and the timber harvesting services business of Lamerit Oy. The acquisition supports Metsäkonepalvelu’s growth strategy and strengthens the company’s position, particularly in southeastern Finland. Metsäkonepalvelu is a portfolio company of A. Ahlström Oy, a Finnish family-owned industrial owner. The company provides mechanical timber harvesting services to forest companies, large private forest owners, and the public sector in Finland and Sweden. Metsäkonepalvelu Group employs nearly two hundred forestry professionals.
Case published 6.5.2026
We acted as Finnish counsel to Scanreco in its acquisition of CrossControl. Mannheimer Swartling (Sweden) acted as lead counsel for Scanreco. CrossControl, founded in Sweden, is a high-tech supplier of advanced display computers and central vehicle computing solutions for industrial vehicles and machines. Scanreco is a world leading supplier of professional radio remote control systems to international machinery, heavy equipment, and crane manufacturers. The combined group comprises approximately 600 employees and generates annual revenue of around SEK 1.4 billion.
Case published 5.5.2026