Forssa-based CPE Production Oy has won the National Entrepreneur Award 2026. The award is presented by Fennia and the Federation of Finnish Enterprises. CPE Production shared it with Normet Group Oy and SantaPark Arctic World. CPE Suojasauma Oy is a subsidiary of CPE Production and one of the six operating companies in the CPE Group.
According to an interview published by the Federation of Finnish Enterprises, CPE Production’s founder and CEO Harri Kolu decided to invest in a new factory producing ballistic helmets and add-on plates, even though there were not yet any orders for them. Behind the decision, however, lay more than 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur. Kolu made it six months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The factory now employs 50 people, and its products are sold in about 20 countries.
The award was presented on Saturday 17 October 2026 at the National Entrepreneur Days gala in Lahti. According to the Federation of Finnish Enterprises’ article, all three winners have renewed themselves, made bold decisions and grown strongly and profitably. Kolu says the award means a great deal to the company and belongs to the whole staff.
Fennia and the Federation of Finnish Enterprises first presented the award in 1968. Since then, more than 200 companies and entrepreneurs have received it. The jury looks at growth, profitability, internationalisation and business idea. Besides Fennia and the Federation of Finnish Enterprises, its members include representatives of the Association for Finnish Work and the Yksityisyrittäjäin säätiö foundation.
In September 2026, Häme Entrepreneurs also honoured Harri Kolu with its regional entrepreneur award. CPE Production manufactures most of its protective products in Finland. Internationalisation was part of the company’s strategy from the early days.
Creativity and courage are part of the company’s DNA
In the interview, Kolu says that customers do not hand over ready-made solutions. Coming up with them is always CPE Production’s job. The company does a lot of product development in-house. The work runs more smoothly when production is close at hand. Ideas are bounced around every day over a shared coffee break.
Kolu says threats are changing quickly, so protective solutions must keep evolving too. The company has to be able to offer solutions against the drone threat, for example. According to Kolu, the brand rests on quality and reliability. Being Finnish is also an important part of it.
What does the award mean in Kuopio?
In Kuopio, the parent company’s award was celebrated with coffee and cake.
“CPE Production Oy’s award comes from long-term success and from trust in its own work and its staff. It is wonderful to be part of a group whose parent company has received this recognition.”
Tommi Tolvanen, CEO, CPE Suojasauma
CPE Production Oy
- Founded: 1999
- Founder: Harri Kolu
- CEO: Harri Kolu
- Based in: Forssa
- Employees: 170
- Revenue: EUR 32.2 million (2025)
- Operating profit: EUR 3.9 million (2025)
Sources and further reading (in Finnish): Federation of Finnish Enterprises article on the three award winners, interview with Harri Kolu and Häme Entrepreneurs article on the regional award.