Finnforest to supply new spectator stand to Kuopio Football Stadium

19/10/2004

Finnforest will supply a wood-based covered spectator stand to the city of
Kuopio. The Finnforest Arenas stand participated in the competitive bidding
with a similar type of Kerto-based solution as has been used in Pohjola
Stadium's main stand in Vantaa. 

The new stand will have seating for some 2,600 spectators and will meet the
quality requirements set by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
With the decision of the Kuopio City Council, the new football stand will be of
Finnish make and wood-structured. The construction began in August and it will
be completed by the 2005 season. The main contractor is Skanska. 
 
The Kuopio football stadium is the home field of Kuopio Football Club (KUPS)
that have risen to the Finnish Champion league for the season 2005. The new
spectator stand will be a great improvement for the Kuopio region's football
fans and players, as also Eastern Finland's football club will start using the
same stadium. 

Developing the building of sports facilities and leisure time services is a
growing part of Finnforest's building and construction business. The Finnforest
Arenas concept offers wood-based solutions for stadiums, spectator stands and
neighborhood sports facilities. 

More information:
Erkki Salo, Sales Manager, Finnforest Arenas, GSM +358 50 559 3386 or
Markko Kellberg, Project Manager, Building Products, GSM +358 50 598 7291

Finnforest is Europe's biggest wood products industry corporation, with a
turnover of over 1.8 billion euros. It employs 8,000 people and is one of
Metsäliitto Group's core businesses. Finnforest operates in over 20 countries.
Its Norwegian subsidiary, Moelven, takes care of operations in Scandinavia.
Finnforest supplies wood material and wood-based products, systems and services
to customers in the building, industrial and resale and distribution sectors. 

More information about the company:
www.finnforest.com and www.moelven.com