Einari Vidgrén to Set Up a Foundation after His Name
PONSSE OYJ PRESS RELEASE 8 APRIL 2005 AT 9:00 A.M.
Einari Vidgrén to Set Up a Foundation after His Name
Ponsse Oyjs founder, Industrial Counsellor Einari Vidgrén, has decided to set
up a foundation, the Einari Vidgrén Foundation, aimed at enhancing the
appreciation of mechanical timber harvesting work and operations.
The foundation seeks to improve and increase recognition related to mechanical
timber harvesting entrepreneurship and to increase especially youngsters
interest in the mechanical timber-harvesting sector as an employer. Mechanical
timber harvesting duties are underestimated because people are unaware of how
demanding forest machine drivers work is nowadays. Technologically highly
advanced forest machines coupled with strict quality and environmental
requirements also require top skills from other professionals in the industry,
such as forest machine assemblers, states Einari Vidgrén.
The foundation also aims to support mechanical timber harvesting training and
education. It seeks to contribute to the appeal and appreciation of related
training and education among young people. Furthermore, it will support and
promote scientific research and product development efforts related to timber
harvesting, especially mechanical timber harvesting,and the development of
industry working methods.
Chaired by Einari Vidgrén, the Einari Vidgrén Foundation comprises Helena
Ailunka, Principal, Lapland Nature Academy (LUMO), Rovaniemi Municipal
Federation of Education; Matti Karjula, SVP, Wood Supply Finland, Stora Enso;
Tommi Mäkinen, World Rally Champion and an entrepreneur; Arto Tiitinen,
President and CEO; and Jukka Vidgrén, a student.
I will donate 194,000 of the Ponsse Oyj shares I hold and EUR 80,000 from my
personal funds. This means that the foundations initial capital comes to
around EUR 3 million, says Mr Vidgrén.
Helsinki, 8 April 2005
Einari Vidgrén
Industrial Counsellor
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Einari Vidgrén, tel. +358 (0)400 672 574
DISTRIBUTION
Helsinki Stock Exchange
Major media
www.ponsse.com