Finnboat elects new chairman

Anders Kurtén, Product Development director of Inha Works, the manufacturer of Buster, Yamarin and Yamarin Cross boats, has been elected the new chairman of the Board of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat. Kurtén will succeed the outgoing chairman Jouko Huju at the turn of the year. Finnboat invited Huju as its Honorary Member in recognition of his exemplary work as the Federation’s managing director over a span of 21 years and his 14 meritorious years at the Executive Committee of ICOMIA, the international trade association for the global marine industry.

Jouko Huju had a significant role internationally during his four years as ICOMIA chairman, also helping the Finnish boating industry gain substantial international exposure.The boat industry is a significant employer in Finland: The companies in the field directly employ 3,500 people, while the total employment effect lies between 4,000 and 6,000 people. In the previous year, as much as 73 per cent of Finnish production was exported elsewhere. Kim Tigerstedt, managing director of Maritim, the supplier of marine components and equipment, continues as Finnboat’s first vice chairman. Mikael Winqvist, managing director of the boat manufacturer AMT Boats, was elected second vice chairman.The other Board members are Johan Carpelan (Targa Boats/Botnia Marin), Ben Fagerström (Marino Boats), Markku Hämäläinen (Honda, Yanmar and Torqeedo importer Brandt), Kim Koskinen (Vetus), Joni Leeve (Boat Repair Leevene), Terho Liukkonen (Suvi Boats), Jari Löfroos (Finnmaster Boats), Risto Paronen (Boat dealership Lahden Bike Marine), Juha Pulli (Boat importer Nordec Nautic), Thomas Sarin (Sargo Boats/Sarins Båtar), Jani Snell (Faster Boats/Juha Snell) and Raimo Sonninen (Bella Boats). Mikael Winqvist was elected chairman of the Board of the Finnish Boating Industry Association, and Kim Koskinen continues as Board chairman of the Finnish Marine Equipment Suppliers Association. Juha Pulli serves as chairman of the Finnish Marine Retailers’ Association in 2019, and Joni Leeve continues as chairman of the Association of Finnish Boatyards in 2019.