The Finnish president takes a look at Danish roof windows
During the first Finnish state visit to Denmark since 2001, President Sauli Niinistö and Minister of Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomija visited the roof window manufacturer, the VELUX Group. Central to the visit was the question of the sustainable society of the future, an increasingly important issue in both Finland and Denmark.
The CEO of the VELUX Group, Jørgen Tang-Jensen, welcomed the distinguished guests, President Sauli Niinistö and Minister of foreign affairs Erkki Tuomija, to the Group's head office in Hørsholm. Accompanying them was a large entourage. All were invited inside the energy-efficient, carbon-neutral home Soltag, built by the VELUX Group to demonstrate that it is possible to build homes that have low energy consumption and a healthy indoor climate at the same time.
"Climate change is a global issue that all nations must handle and be aware of. So it was very gratifying to see the president show so much interest, not only in our products, but also in our thoughts about sustainable living in buildings," says Jørgen Tang-Jensen.
For many years, the VELUX Group has worked intensively to promote sustainability and energy efficiency in European buildings – out of respect for the climate of the planet and to improve the indoor climate of buildings. These issues are assuming growing importance in both Finland and Denmark, as well as the rest of Europe.
Bringing daylight in to Finnish buildings
Behind the President's decision to visit the VELUX Group is the fact that the Danish roof window manufacturer has had its own sales company in Finland since 1980. Historically, the cold Finnish weather has presented challenges for Finns who would like a window in their roof. However, years of improving and refining building components for homes has now made it more accessible for the people of Finland to get daylight and fresh air through the roof.
"The Finnish market is far from one of our biggest. However, Finland is one of the world's leading nations when it comes to green technology. It is a nation that is actively working towards improving its building stock by ensuring both a healthy indoor climate and low energy consumption in homes. This is something our roof windows can help the Finns achieve," explains General Manager of VELUX Finland, Kristine Belska.
Denmark and Finland share a common focus on green technology, energy efficiency and sustainable buildings.