Business perspectives across the Atlantic

A distinguished line-up of speakers will bring fresh insights into transatlantic markets at the Amcham event in Tampere next week. The programme features the U.S. Ambassador to Finland, the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, as well as representatives from leading technology companies and export industries.

Text: Petri Kangas / Business Tampere

“The U.S. market seems to be performing well,” says Mikko Nyman, CEO of Fastems, which provides automation solutions for the metal manufacturing industry.

“Ninety percent of our sales come from international customers, with a large and growing share from the United States. We see it as our biggest growth opportunity, one that is difficult, even impossible, to replace,” Nyman explains.

According to Nyman, high-tech sectors such as aerospace, defence, space, and semiconductors are particularly important for the company in the U.S.

Fastems is a family-owned company based in Tampere. The technology company received the Pirkanmaa Export Award last year. Nyman notes that Fastems has been delivering factory automation solutions across the Atlantic since the early 2000s, with its U.S. subsidiary established around the same time.

The event comes to Tampere

Opportunities for Tampere–U.S. cooperation will open up to local companies in a unique way this April, as Amcham Finland brings its flagship event outside the Helsinki region for the first time. Amcham is an international business network that develops the business environment between Finland and the United States. The event will take place at Tampere-talo on April 15. The event is titled Transatlantic Opportunity.

Nyman is one of the panelists. He expects that participants will gain insights into long-term market development and building international networks.

“Entering the U.S. market does not happen overnight. I often look for peers who have already taken similar steps to those we are considering. It builds confidence, both in the sense that if they have succeeded, we can too, and that Tampere has expertise worth taking to international markets,” Nyman says.

The event will be held at Tampere-talo. Photo: Petri Kangas / Business Tampere

A distinguished line-up of speakers

The event features the U.S. Ambassador to Finland Howard Brodie and the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio. Representatives from leading technology companies and export industries will also be present, including Fastems, Microsoft, Coherent, and sportswear company Nalamoves, all of which have a strong presence in Tampere.

From the organizing side, speakers include Amcham Finland CEO Alexandra Pasternak-Jackson, Director, International Business and Investment Rosa Thurman, and CEO of Business Tampere Harri Ojala.

The discussions will combine geopolitical perspectives with practical business insights.

U.S. remains highly attractive

Oliver Hussey, Director of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) at Business Tampere, notes that while the range of countries investing in the region is diversifying, the United States remains one of the most important.

“U.S. companies that have established themselves in Tampere, such as Amazon, Microsoft and Flock Safety, have continued to invest in the region and have been able to grow successfully. Our region offers expertise and development capabilities that companies truly value,” he says.

Amcham Finland’s Transatlantic Opportunity: Deep Dive into the Finnish-U.S. Trade, Investment, and Economic Relationship 2026. (Tampere Hall, April 15, 2026, 15:30–17:45)