A group of 17 Forestry professionals from the UK, Ireland, and Germany came together for a week to explore the Finnish Forestry Fair, FinnMETKO. After the fair, we also visited trailer manufacturers, forestry sites, and a forestry university faculty.
Forestors Trip to FinnMETKO-On September 2nd, we arrived at Helsinki Airport. Since we were all coming in from different locations, we agreed to meet at the first pub we found after passing through passport control that had decent beer. With only about a three-hour time difference between our flights, everyone gathered fairly quickly. Once we were all together, we jumped on the charter bus we had booked for the week.
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That’s a remarkable amount of work hours for a single machine, the Norcar 600 owned by Erkki Rinne is taken well care of, it even has the original Diesel engine.
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Kieran Anders is a forestry contractor working in the lake district. His work involves hand cutting and extracting timber using a skidder and tractor-trailer forwarder.
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It is not possible to eliminate chain shot, but there are simple steps that can be taken to reduce the risk.
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Arwel takes great pride in the fact that the mill has no waste whatsoever, “the peelings are used for children’s playgrounds, gardens and for farm animals in barns in the winter and the sawdust has multiple uses in gardens and farms as well.
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Timber hauliers need to encourage young blood in, and also look after the hauliers we have, we need make the sector a safe and positive place to work.
FIND US ON
The journey to our destination took about three hours, but time flew by as we took in the stunning scenery along the way.
We had arranged to stay in two chalets in a block of three at the Himos Resort, close to the town of Jämsä. During our time there, our friends and co-organisers Kari Palojärvi and Kari Lähivaara from SKAL Metsä ry, along with Tero Nurmi, the entrepreneur from the Finnish forestry magazine Metsätrans-Lehti Oy, occupied the other chalet with additional colleagues from SKAL Metsä ry.
The two, Karis and Tero, were on hand to greet us and help us settle into our accommodations. The chalets were just right, with a cosy open-plan living room and kitchen downstairs, plus a bathroom and a sauna. We also enjoyed a hot tub on the patio, perfect for unwinding after a day of activities. The first floor featured three twin rooms along with an additional bathroom, while the attic offered four more beds for extra sleeping space.
Kari P had ensured that our fridge was well stocked with refreshing Finnish Sandels lager and a variety of snacks. He also prepared a traditional Finnish hunter’s meal, featuring pork and salmon wrapped in dense, dark bread. This high-protein dish was a staple for hunters setting out on long expeditions, providing them with sustenance for days in the wilderness.
We had an amazing night catching up with everyone over a few rounds of beers. After a couple of hours, some of the group headed to a nearby bar, while I joined Kari P and Tero next door to discuss our plans over some ice-cold Koskenkorva vodkas.
The following morning, we enjoyed breakfast in a large marquee just a short drive away. Our guide for the day was Kari L, as the others had already headed to METKO, where SKAL had a stand. Since we arrived a bit early after breakfast, we enjoyed a tour of the extensive Himos centre. This impressive complex is open year-round and includes chalets, bars, shops, bowling alleys, restaurants, and exhibition spaces. It can host up to 6,000 people and is known for activities such as music festivals, two stages for the WRC Rally Finland, adventure holidays, watersports, golf courses, and, uniquely, Finland’s only Sauna Village. In the winter, it also transforms into a skiing resort.
If you’re planning a trip to Finland, make sure to include this destination on your itinerary. It’s a breathtaking area, and you’ll find the locals to be remarkably warm and welcoming.
The traffic management at FinnMETKO was exceptional, with only slight delays, and the bus drop-off point was conveniently located right by the entrance gate. Since I had pre-booked all our tickets, the queuing process was quick and efficient; the scanning system worked flawlessly, allowing us to enter the exhibition in just a few minutes.
A palpable sense of excitement filled the showground, where the sounds of tannoy announcements blended with the hum of machinery at work. A lush forest surrounds the entire area, providing a perfect backdrop for trying out the latest technology from companies such as Palfinger, John Deere, and Ponsse. Participants could engage with a range of live demonstrations featuring forestry and biomass equipment, including firewood processors, along with an array of static displays.
The last time I attended FinnMETKO was in 2016, and while it was a good show, today’s event truly outshines it. I believe this one has now established itself as the premier must-visit event in the Nordics.
The organisation was impeccable, with food stalls strategically scattered throughout the exhibition. There was something thrilling to discover at every turn; the exhibitors were outstanding, offering warm hospitality and readily available to answer any questions.
We mostly parted ways at the entrance, letting everyone explore what interested them and spend time where it mattered. I was delighted to see so many new products being unveiled at the event. In today’s fast-paced world of instant news, that’s not something you often find at exhibitions anymore.
We had planned to reconvene at the entrance to catch the bus at 16.30, since we would be joining the SKAL team for dinner at a nearby restaurant. I was starting to feel quite exhausted after walking over 8 kilometres at the exhibition; it was as if someone had added lead to the soles of my shoes.
The meal was a delightful three-course affair, beginning with a warm bowl of soup, followed by a choice between a savoury fish dish or a hearty beef casserole, and finishing off with a slice of cake and a cup of coffee. The food was delicious. After dinner, we made our way back to our chalets on the bus, where we all gathered in one for more beer and banter.
I was truly delighted by the group’s dynamics; everyone got along well and participated actively. Our Finnish hosts made the experience even more enjoyable, bringing a fantastic sense of fun to our time together.
FinnMETKO
The following two days mirrored the first, starting with breakfast followed by a visit to the fair. I had initially worried that three days might be a bit too long to spend at METKO, but everyone was eager to stay the entire time. To be honest, I still hadn’t managed to see everything I wanted by the end of it. On the second day, around 4 am, I received a message from some of our late-night revelers saying, “I won’t make the bus, I’m p****d,” but they managed to catch a lift with another group, so they arrived only a little late😊.
On the second evening, we dined across from the restaurant we had visited the night before, and once again, the meal was fantastic. We had quite an exciting night at the chalet when the two Karis and Tero surprised us with a litre of Koskenkorva and some delicious smoked trout. In return, we served up some 90% potent poitín from our Irish colleague., which was a massive hit with everyone. The following evening, we enjoyed dinner at a hotel just up the road from our chalets, and the food was exceptional once more. Our Finnish hosts had thoughtfully arranged the meals, and they did a remarkable job, leaving the entire group well fed and grinning like Cheshire cats.
On Sunday morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel, and a palpable mix of excitement and nervousness filled the air since it was our rally day.
Kari P organised an incredible rally experience in a nearby forest, led by multiple-time Finnish rally champion Teemu Asunmaa. Words can hardly capture just how amazing this experience turned out to be.
Teemu had rented the forest for a few hours, driving each of us one by one along the winding forest road. I had pushed my limits in my youth, but this experience was on an entirely different level compared to anything I had ever faced. It was easy to see why Teemu was a multiple Finnish champion; his control of the vehicle was nothing short of extraordinary. We were all astonished by his precision—initially, I thought he might be holding back a bit (though I couldn’t fathom how he could possibly go any faster). So, I was taken aback when he mentioned he was operating at 95% of his capability. He clarified, “I can only push myself to the limit since my concentration falters at slower speeds, and the car doesn’t handle well.” This was an unforgettable experience—both thrilling and nerve-wracking at the same time. Luckily, no one needed the spare pair of boxer shorts I had brought along just in case! For me and the others, this is a memory that will stick with us forever.
After saying our goodbyes, we made our way back to the bus for the journey to Himos. Kari P had headed back to Kuopio the day before but was scheduled to return on Monday, so Kari L and Tero looked after us. Around 4:00 PM, we embarked on another mystery bus tour that led us to an unknown restaurant. It only became more puzzling when the bus veered off the main highway and onto several kilometres of forest roads, although our pace was much slower than Teemu’s.
Kari L also runs his own timber haulage business, Lähivaara Oy, which his father, Lassi Lähivaara, founded back in 1959. With a fleet of 25 round timber lorries and a dedicated team of 50 employees, he’s a fascinating person to engage with. Kari is always eager to share his thoughts and ideas, and he stays at the cutting edge of technology to keep his drivers’ lives safer and more efficient. It’s fascinating to gain insight into how similar work is approached in different countries.
Our conversation was cut short as we arrived at the restaurant Ravintola Hirvikartano (Moose Manor).
Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, it did! Our host, Paavo, warmly welcomed us and shared what the evening held. Moose Manor, a unique restaurant and zoo w, is home to moose, fallow deer, and reindeer. Paavo was quick to assure us that none of their adorable moose would be on our dinner plates tonight. We had the tresteraunt to ourselves and began our meal with a comforting bowl of soup, followed by hearty moose served with potatoes and redcurrant jelly, and, of course, finished off with delightful pancakes for dessert. The restaurant is nestled inside a charming old log cabin dating back to 1888, beautifully showcasing Finnish history. With its long benches and communal tables, it’s the perfect setting for a group like ours.
The moose was equally as good as Paavo’s storytelling; he had us all in stitches with his amusing tales of the mating habits of his animals. He kept us thoroughly entertained throughout dinner, and once we finished our coffee, he shared insights into his family history before introducing us to the animals.
We began our adventure by meeting the moose, who were fed apples by hand. It was astonishing to see how gentle these massive creatures can be, and it was clear how fond Paavo was of them. These moose eat only what they would find in the wild; despite being in pens, their enclosures mimic large areas of their natural habitat. Next, we moved on to the fallow deer, where we could again feed them by hand. The entire area is breathtaking, situated within a stunning, mature woodland of birch and spruce trees.
We enjoyed a pleasant stroll around the property before saying goodbye to Paavo once again and making our way back to Himos.
Once we returned, we enjoyed another delightful evening filled with beer, storytelling, and reminiscing about yet another incredible day. It’s clear that trips like this go beyond just sightseeing; they’re about immersing ourselves in Finnish culture, savouring the local cuisine, and forging new friendships.
I had to head home the next morning for an important appointment that I couldn’t afford to miss, so I partook in the early departure while the rest of the group continued on to visit the Jyki Group. This family-owned Finnish company specializes in manufacturing bodywork and timber trailers, producing more than 1,000 trailers each year. After enjoying lunch, they proceeded to visit the forestry company run by Artu and Jarkko Tuominen, who harvest, chip, and transport over half a million tonnes of timber annually.
They savoured another exquisite dinner joined by the Tuominen brothers. After the meal, they enjoyed a late night out, exploring Jämsä’s vibrant nightlife.
On the final day, the group visited the Hyytiala Forest Site, part of the agricultural and forestry sciences at the University of Helsinki, nestled in the Juupajoki region of Pirkanmaa. They enjoyed a hearty lunch and dinner at the University facility before travelling to Helsinki Airport the following morning for their flights home.
We were truly amazed by the warmth of hospitality our Finnish friends extended to us. They went above and beyond to ensure that we had an unforgettable time, allowing us to truly experience the heart and soul of Finland.
This country is a stunning destination, filled with warm-hearted and welcoming locals.
I have countless more stories which I could share, but as the saying goes, “What happens in Finland, stays in Finland!”
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