18.11.2024
At Kolster's 150th anniversary celebrations, attendees enjoyed positive interactions, reminisced about the past, and raised glasses to future innovations. Despite the globally challenging times, the speeches carried a decidedly positive tone.
The past, present, and future were all vividly present as Kolster marked its 150th anniversary at the White Hall in late September. The gala dinner hosted roughly as many attendees as Kolster has years. The event brought together clients, business representatives, international partners, Kolster employees, and members of the founding family spanning three generations. International video greetings from across the globe added a unique flair to the evening.
The celebrations featured many joyous encounters and engaging speeches.
Kim Kolster, Chairman of the Board, reflected on the family business's history spanning five generations. His speech began with Rudolf Kolster's move to Finland in 1860 and concluded with reflections on current challenges and opportunities, including the changes brought by the unitary patent, the international situation, and the impact of artificial intelligence.
Kim Kolster expressed his conviction that despite the ever-changing world, Kolster will remain a thriving entity for the next 150 years.
“Success has been built on the hard work of dedicated employees, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment.”
The 150th-anniversary celebration had a distinctly international atmosphere. To acknowledge its global guests, the event was conducted in English.
Innovation as a Competitive Edge
In his address, CEO Timo Helosuo emphasised that innovation plays a central role in Europe’s competition with the United States and China. When discussing challenges, the CEO highlighted the importance of internationalisation.
“Global tensions demand both adaptability and foresight,” Kolster’s CEO stressed in his speech.
“Geopolitics is making our work increasingly complex. These worldwide tensions serve as a reminder that our operating environment is in constant flux. This requires us to remain agile and forward-thinking.”
Helosuo stated that Kolster's best strategy for navigating change lies in listening closely to its customers.
“This is where the strength of our global network becomes most evident. Our international partners possess deep knowledge of their local environments and, through their expertise, help us amplify our impact. This ensures that we can operate wherever our clients need us most.”
The celebration also featured messages from João Negrão, Executive Director of the EUIPO, and Jorma Hanski, Director of the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH).
In his speech, João Negrão highlighted how the EUIPO contributes to advancing the European intellectual property rights (IPR) landscape.
Photography: Alessandro Rampazzo
Videography: Jussi Rekiaro Photography
