Forest machinery company Ponsse supports small Finnish municipality

The forest machinery company Ponsse and the Vidgrén family sustain the small municipality of Vieremä in the North Savonia region of Finland.

The company provides approximately 1,000 jobs and maintains a vast network of subcontractors. Because the municipality has more available jobs than local workers, many residents commute to neighboring towns like Kuopio or Kainuu to find work. The Vidgrén brothers own the majority of shares in Ponsse, with Juha Vidgrén holding a 22 percent stake.

The company contributes significantly to the local economy by paying roughly 1 million euros in communal tax and over 100,000 euros in property tax annually. These funds, along with employee taxes, helped the municipality accumulate a surplus of 14.7 million euros in the last fiscal year. Juha Vidgrén also funds local infrastructure and community projects, such as a school terrace and a village dance hall.

While the company grew from early skepticism in 1970, it is now a core part of the local identity. Municipal officials state that while they maintain a neutral and law-abiding stance toward all businesses, the municipality remains business-friendly to support the industrial backbone of the community.