CoE Group has opened its tenth office in Riihimäki as part of its strategic growth in Southern Finland. The new unit aims to build a team of approximately 40 experts in Riihimäki within two years. This expansion opens doors to new industries – including the defense sector.
New Unit at Veturitallit – Focus on Growth and Expertise
The Riihimäki office operates in the historic setting of Veturitallit, in collaboration with Define Oy. Initially, three experts will work at the site, and recruitment for new talent is already underway. The Riihimäki unit strengthens CoE Group’s presence in Southern Finland – additional investments in an area where the customer base is already strong was a clear strategic decision for the company.
“We see a lot of potential in Riihimäki. The goal is to grow the unit to around 40 people within two years,” says CEO Sami Kivioja.
New Ventures in the Defense Industry
CoE Group is actively seeking to establish a foothold in defense industry projects. Collaboration with Define creates a strong foundation for this, and the regional business ecosystem offers diverse opportunities to utilize technological and design expertise. The Riihimäki business unit is led by Kaj Palmroth.
“Riihimäki is strategically interesting for us, especially due to its diverse industrial base. Define’s network opens opportunities for us to participate in defense projects and to expand cooperation with other players in the sector. We’re already working with familiar companies like Sako and Millog, which provides a strong base for building new partnerships. The area is also home to many other industrial companies whose needs we can meet with our design expertise – and thus support our own growth as well,” says Palmroth.
Focus on Young Talent and Responsible Design
CoE Group invests in the experts of the future and aims to offer job opportunities to students from Häme University of Applied Sciences. The company believes in keeping design work in Finland and offering young people the chance to grow through practical projects.
“We are opposed to outsourcing technical work in cases where young Finns could do the job just as well. We want to offer them real opportunities,” Kivioja emphasizes.
Sustainable Growth and Partnerships
CoE Group’s strategic growth is progressing steadily – both organically and through acquisitions. The company aims to grow into an organization of 250 experts in the coming years.
In Riihimäki, CoE Group has already begun partnership negotiations with local industrial companies. The focus is on electrical, automation, and mechanical design, but the outlook also extends to energy and process industries, as well as machinery and equipment manufacturing.
“We strongly believe in local presence, responsible partnerships, and continuous development of expertise,” Kivioja concludes.
A Local Leader with Deep Regional Knowledge
The Riihimäki unit is led by Kaj Palmroth, who has a solid background in mechanical design and strong local knowledge of the region’s industry and people. Palmroth is also known in sports circles – especially in floorball, where he has been active for decades.
“The Riihimäki region is very familiar to me through both industry and sports. This has been a natural place for me to start building a new unit,” Palmroth says.
As a resident of Hämeenlinna, Palmroth appreciates the region’s accessibility and location in the heart of Southern Finland’s key industrial areas.
“Riihimäki is a central hub and easily reachable by train from almost anywhere. For me, it’s practically a neighboring city, and at the same time an excellent base for broader operations,” he concludes.
Also read Yle’s article on the topic: Yle article