Berner bridges international brands with local consumers

For more than 130 years, Finnish consumers and businesses alike have enjoyed access to a variety of global brands such as Clarins, Sensai, Adidas, Omron, Kikkoman and Mitsubishi, thanks to Berner. Positioning itself as a gateway to Finland, Berner aims to expand its extensive brand portfolio through partnerships with more international companies carrying products that appeal to Finnish tastes. 

Family-owned Berner imports products and markets them under seven business divisions: consumer goods, agency, pro, sport, plant protection, garden care and machines. Berner has more than 100,000 stock-keeping units in its product range. 

In representing many brands, Berner taps its deep knowledge of the local market and state-of-the-art logistics systems to help the products gain traction in Finland. Berner is always on the lookout for opportunities to bring new products into the country. 

"With business lines as diversified as ours, knowing Finnish customers tremendously helps when you are introducing new products or brands to the market," says managing director Antti Korpiniemi. "We have always been honest to our suppliers about the demands, opportunities and possibilities in the local market."

Among its business arms, Berner sees great opportunities in its consumer goods, agency and pro divisions. In the pro segment in particular, Berner forecasts a growing need for health care products as life expectancy in Finland continues to increase. 

Berner distributes its own products alongside imported merchandise. It develops and manufactures hair care, personal hygiene, car care and professional cleaning products. With the help of Chinese partners, Berner manufactures some models of leading Finnish rubber boots brand Nokian Footwear on the mainland.