Finnish concrete element factory expands production and hires dozens of new workers

A concrete element factory in Kouvola, southeastern Finland, is nearly doubling its workforce as it expands production to meet growing demand, including for prefabricated civil defence shelters, reports Finnish broadcaster Yle.

The three-year-old factory, operated by Tenel Oy, will add around 30 new jobs in design and assembly, bringing its total workforce to roughly 70. The expansion will increase annual production capacity from elements for about 750 apartments to roughly 1,100.

CEO Jani Julin stated that hiring will proceed gradually as production scales up. The factory primarily supplies concrete elements for residential high-rises in the Helsinki metropolitan area but has recently begun manufacturing components for civil defence shelters—a method gaining popularity in Finland.

Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (National Coalition Party) highlighted potential export opportunities for Finnish shelter solutions, noting that many European countries, including Germany, are reassessing their civil defence infrastructure. While Tenel currently focuses on the domestic market, Julin confirmed that export possibilities are under consideration, particularly for markets seeking durable, rapidly deployable shelter solutions.

Industry association Betoniteollisuus ry estimates that about half of Finland’s new civil defence shelters are now built using prefabricated concrete elements, praised for their quick assembly.