07.06.2018
May 18, 2018
The finishing touches have been added for the year 2017, including the financial statements. So the time has come to summarise developments and take a look at where we, in Kolster, are headed.
Strong renewal – Kolster recruits 15 IP experts during the year
We recruited experienced European patent attorneys and other IP professionals from industry and customers. Gustav is one of our outstanding new experts: https://www.kolster.fi/en/blog/the-developer-of-pharmaceutical-innovations-in-the-world-of-patents
Recruitment continues and we wish our new recruits a warm welcome to Helsinki, Tampere, Oulu, Vaasa and Kuopio. https://www.kolster.fi/en/careers
Kuopio became a Kolster location via an acquisition in April, when the business operations of Patent Agency Pitkänen Oy were merged with Kolster.
Office renovation – modern technology introduced
Kolster has changed its Helsinki address around every 30 years. On this occasion, we changed address two years early by moving to Salmisaari in early 2017. Our new and modern facilities include smart green walls. https://www.naava.io/editorial/office-space-design-reflecting-company-culture. We also moved to new premises in Tampere and Kuopio. A renovation will be completed in Oulu this spring.
Remote work possibilities were considerably improved by the introduction of new technology at the beginning of 2017.
We want to work with the best customers in the world
Kolster has been regarded as a firm for big customers. This is partly true, since we do 26 % of our work on behalf of some of the world's largest companies and 31 % for the most prestigious brands. However, most of our customers are small and medium-sized enterprises. About 200 new customers chose Kolster in 2017.
The Kolster China DeskTM has played a key role in our services provided in China. Kolster invested in its China expertise and, in the autumn of 2017, began its largest ever investment programme, the first fruits of which included a fully digital trademark service provided in Chinese. In recognition of its active work, Kolster became the first non-Chinese company to be granted council membership of the China Trademark Association (CTA).
Competence development lies at the core
Kolster aims to be "the best place to develop as an IP professional". We have therefore developed a career model enabling employees to develop on the basis of their own strengths along expertise, customer account and leadership paths.
Our investments in expertise continued through the participation of new and existing Kolster employees in Aalto University's IP training programmes and in overseas training for the EQE qualification.
Kolster Partner programme launched
Kolster launched the Partner programme as part of the modernisation of its compensation system. 24 Associate Partners had joined the programme by the end of the year.
A good result and strong balance sheet favouring development
Kolster succeeded well in 2017, according to its financial indicators. Its net sales totalled EUR 21.4 million and the profit was EUR 2.16 million. Kolster will continue to serve its customers and develop its operations on the basis of its hundred experts.
Outlook for 2018
Kolster began 2018 with the launch of new services on the market. The first customers are now benefiting from our fixed-price legal expert services and digitalised trademark application services. Our Chinese operations have grown markedly and Kolster is involved in helping companies to exploit their innovations.
In terms of competence development, we are meeting the AI challenge – following a test period, Kolster’s first robot began work in May.
We will continue our recruitment drive this year – we offer innovative-minded IP experts, such as patent attorneys, a range of challenges.
CEO Timo Helosuo
timo.helosuo@kolster.fi, tel +358 40 5761659
