Are you planning an ownership arrangement or seeking growth capital?
Wedeco is an Ostrobothnia-based private equity investor. It was founded in 1987 and specialises in entrepreneur-led ownership arrangements. Since our foundation, we have been involved in approximately 100 companies as either a minority or a majority owner, and we currently have holdings in 5 companies.
Wedeco wants to be involved, as an owner and partner, in growth-driven businesses that have already established themselves in the market, are operating profitably and have a positive cash flow. We are interested in various transactions such as industry restructurings, acquisitions and disposals, succession planning as well as growth capital.
We invest primarily in people. We want to work with a committed and enthusiastic management team. One that knows the industry and competitors and is interested in the numbers and able to create a positive atmosphere.
Wedeco is a member of the Finnish Venture Capital Association, and we adhere to the association’s rules and guidelines in all our operations.
Please contact us to learn more about opportunities for ownership arrangements and growth capital.
Wedeco has three roles as an owner:
To be a committed and active owner
We are the member of the board that you can come to with any issues even between board meetings.
To be an entrepreneur
Our aim is always to increase the value of the company in collaboration with the company management.
To be an investor/financier
We make private equity investments in companies.
Portfolio companies
– What kind of businesses can work with Wedeco?
We can operate in companies as either a minority or a majority owner. It is important for Wedeco that a company’s management team is also involved in the business with a significant investment. It is also essential that we share a strategic vision for the development of the company’s operations.
Our objective is to increase the value of the company together with the management and other shareholders. We are a responsible owner with a long-term approach, and a reliable partner to all the stakeholders we work with.
Exits
Exits by Wedeco managers after 2010
Company | Industry | Year of investment | Year of exit |
---|---|---|---|
Oy Mesmec Ab | Machinery and equipment for the food industry | 2017 | 2024 |
Ab A. Häggblom Oy | Equipment for mining and quarrying machinery | 2016 | 2023 |
Nordic Lights Group Oyj | Lights for machines and bicycle components | 2018 | 2023 |
Polttoväri Oy | Industrial surface finishing | 2017 | 2022 |
Tietokauha Oy | Accounting/Financial Management Services | 2015 | 2021 |
Pohjanmaan Ekonomitoimisto Oy | Accounting/Financial Management Services | 2018 | 2021 |
JPT-Industria Oy | Machine and equipment manufacturing | 2013 | 2021 |
Oy Esari Ab | Manufacturer of equipment shelters | 2013 | 2020 |
Vaasa Parks Oy Ab | Commercial property services | 2000 | 2019 |
B. Herrmans Oy Ab | Lights for machines and bicycle components | 2006 | 2018 |
Eurosteel ‑konserni | Engineering workshop specialising in welding and turnkey solutions | 2008 | 2018 |
Westwood Oy Ab | Manufacturer of wooden stairs | 2005 | 2016 |
Jotel Oy | Contract manufacturer of electronics | 2006 | 2016 |
FlowPlus ‑konserni | Flow technology maintenance services | 2012 | 2016 |
Veine ‑konserni | Logistics solutions | 2013 | 2016 |
Geo Drill ‑konserni | Geothermal drilling | 2013 | 2016 |
HahkaWay Oy | Logistics solutions | 2005 | 2013 |
Manor Oy | Manufacturer of pipe duct products and steel structures | 2006 | 2013 |
KGN Tool ‑konserni | Contract manufacturer for the engineering industry | 2009 | 2013 |
Emendo Oy | Sauna and wellness products | 2006 | 2012 |
Cibo-Print Oy | Manufacturer of printed circuit boards | 2007 | 2012 |
Lakeuden Kylmäkeskus Oy | Design, installation and maintenance of refrigeration systems | 2008 | 2011 |
Scancool Oy | Manufacturer of cooling and ventilation equipment | 2009 | 2011 |
Eur-Mark ‑konserni | Manufacturer of sewer cleaning equipment and industrial waste disposal equipment | 2008 | 2011 |
Purso Tools Oy | Manufacturer of camshafts and connecting rods | 2002 | 2011 |
Winpos Oy Ab | POS solutions | 2003 | 2010 |
The team
– About us
Our Wedeco team has a long and varied experience in the corporate world and venture capital. Our strengths include our in-depth understanding and knowledge of the business community and partners in our region and our extensive network of contacts. We run our operations in a frank, open and ethical manner.
Thomas took up the role of Wedeco’s CEO in 2020. Thomas gained experience in private equity as a member of Wedeco’s Board of Directors from 2016–2020.
Thomas has been involved in corporate finance for more than 25 years and has played a role in numerous corporate transactions as an investor. Thomas was responsible for Nordea’s corporate banking operations in the Ostrobothnia region for several years, so he is familiar with the companies and the operating environment in Wedeco’s area of operations. Thomas has completed the Certified Board Member and Certified Board Member chairperson courses.
Jarkko has diverse experience in strategic and operative management, working on boards, business development and corporate mergers and acquisitions.
He has previously worked in business management, as an entrepreneur-CEO, as an investment banker and in private equity, as well as in business management consulting.
Päivi Arffman-Jokelainen has worked for Wedeco since 2000. She has solid experience in various roles in financial administration, and at Wedeco she handles Wedeco’s financial administration, corporate finance documentation as well as internal and external reporting.
Sören has worked at Wedeco as Investment Manager from 2011 until 2022.
Sören has strong and diverse experience in corporate finance, and he also has long experience working on boards both as a member and as Chair of the Board.
Sören has completed the Certified Board Member and Certified Board Member Chairperson courses and is a member of the Board of Pohjanmaan Hallituspartnerit ry.
Keijo started working at Wedeco as Investment Manager in 2001, and then took the role of CEO from 2005 until August 2020.
Keijo’s main areas of expertise are mergers and acquisitions, finance and strategies. He has been involved in more than 50 merger and acquisition transactions during his career. Keijo also has a long experience in working on boards both as a member and as Chair of the Board.
Keijo has completed the Certified Board Member and Certified Board Member Chairperson courses and is a member of the Board of Pohjanmaan Hallituspartnerit ry.
Pasi has been involved in entrepreneurial activities for more than 30 years, as an entrepreneur in the logistics and ICT sectors and he has been and continues to be an active owner in start-ups and SMEs. Pasi has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, finance and strategies.
Aki is a serial entrepreneur who has operated in sectors such as ICT and health care. He has also been an active owner in several SMEs for more than 15 years. Prior to his career as an entrepreneur, Aki worked as an investment banker at Mandatum, where he gained a lot of experience in mergers and acquisitions and finance. Aki is also an owner and Chair of the Board of Postvera, which is Wedeco’s largest shareholder.
The Board of Directors
– A versatile skillset is our biggest asset
Wedeco’s ownership base is a perfect platform for our efforts to strengthen the growth of our portfolio companies. In addition to investors with a background in Ostrobothnia and an in-depth knowledge and long experience in business, Wedeco’ owners include large industrial companies with local operations, banks, insurance companies as well as municipalities and cities in Ostrobothnia.
Pasi Haaramäki
Chair of the Board
Pasi has been involved in entrepreneurial activities for more than 30 years, as an entrepreneur in the logistics and ICT sectors and he has been and continues to be an active owner in start-ups and SMEs. Pasi has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, finance and strategies.
Kaj Aaltonen
Deputy Chair of the Board
Kaj has worked in his current position as Account Manager at Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Company and its predecessor Eläke-Fennia in Ostrobothnia since 2002. Kaj has an extensive network of contacts and excellent knowledge of activities in Wedeco Oy’s area of operations. Kaj has been a Member of Wedeco’s Board of Directors since 2010, so he is familiar with Wedeco’s operations and target companies.
Toni Lahti
Member of the Board
For the past 10 years, Toni has worked at Springvest as an entrepreneur in finance for qrowth companies and is also an investor in numerous growth companies. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Toni worked as a lawyer in law firms specializing in business law. Toni has extensive experience in domestic and international corporate and financial arrangements.
Aki Kamppinen
Member of the Board
Aki is a serial entrepreneur who has operated in sectors such as ICT and health care. He has also been an active owner in several SMEs for more than 15 years. Prior to his career as an entrepreneur, Aki worked as an investment banker at Mandatum, where he gained a lot of experience in mergers and acquisitions and finance. Aki is also an owner and Chair of the Board of Postvera, which is Wedeco’s largest shareholder.
Veli-Matti Ylisalmi
Member of the Board
Veli-Matti has more than 30 years’ experience in banking. He has long held the position of Senior Relationship Manager at Nordea’s corporate bank in Ostrobothnia. He has extensive experience in corporate finance and various merger and acquisition transactions. Veli-Matti has also built a large network of contacts during his long career.
Contact information
Oy Wedeco Ab
Yrittäjänkatu 15, PL 810
65380 Vaasa, 65101 Vaasa
Thomas Lempiälä
CEO, Partner
+358 50 568 8033
thomas.lempiala@wedeco.fi
Jarkko Viheriävaara
Investment Manager
+358 40 835 5499
jarkko.viheriavaara@wedeco.fi
Päivi Arffman-Jokelainen
Controller
+358 40 029 5293
paivi.arffman-jokelainen@wedeco.fi