Naoya Rikitake, Misawa Homes of Finland: ”We choose Mikkeli!”

Misawa Homes Co., Ltd. Is a Japanese company which builds and sells houses for the Japanese market. Their subsidiary, Misawa Homes of Finland, is responsible for delivering the majority of lumber used in the houses. The lumber comes from the region of Southern Savonia of Finland. The good collaboration with its capital, the city of Mikkeli, has meant a lot to Misawa Homes of Finland.

We’re currently at a sawmill in Mikkeli, and Naoya Rikitake, Managing Director of Misawa Homes of Finland, talks happily about the Finnish city and the collaboration between Mikkeli and Misawa Homes.

– Misawa Homes is one of the biggest housing companies in Japan. We sell roughly 10 000 units per year, Rikitake explains.

– The sawmill produces lumber for the houses we sell, and almost all of it is exported to Japan, he continues.

Good location helps minimize transportation costs

The location of Mikkeli is very suitable for Misawa Homes. Finland has a lot to offer when it comes to the timber industry, and the company has been collaborating with Mikkeli for more than 20 years.

– There’s forest close to us, and the port is very near as well. It helps us minimize transportation costs, Rikitake says.

– Mikkeli made us an excellent offer, and we have a very good relationship. We can truly trust each other, he adds.

Smooth cooperation

“There’s no way we would consider any other locations. We choose Mikkeli.”

Rikitake is very satisfied with the collaboration with Mikkeli. It is important for them to have a reliable, local partner to work with.

– There’s no way we would consider any other locations. We choose Mikkeli, he concludes.