VILPE Establishes U.S. Subsidiary in Ohio
Press release
VILPE, a manufacturer of ventilation and specialized roof products, has founded a subsidiary in the state of Ohio, USA. This marks the largest investment in the company’s history, with the first phase valued at seven million euros (about $8,1 M).
The new subsidiary, VILPE USA, will begin operations at the start of 2026, with the goal of reaching a turnover of 30 million euros (about $35 M) by the end of the decade. VILPE is confident about achieving this target, as the United States offers a large, unified market. Growth will be driven by the company’s smart technology, VILPE Sense.
“For the first time in our 50-year history, we have unique smart technology that enables us to grow globally. VILPE Sense has already been launched in Europe, and now it’s time for the next step,” VILPE CEO Tuomas Saikkonen says.
With VILPE Sense smart technology, potential leaks or humidity damage in roof structures can be easily detected. By identifying hidden humidity issues early, repairs can be made sooner, saving both time and money. This is especially beneficial for large roof areas, and VILPE plans to focus particularly on data centers. Other suitable applications include industrial buildings and warehouses. The first VILPE Sense smart roof in the United States was installed in late summer on a new factory building in Ohio.
Ohio’s Excellent Location
VILPE had been planning its U.S. expansion for about two years, conducting market research and attending trade shows and conferences.
“This kind of work has to be done face-to-face. Since the beginning of the year, I’ve spent about 30 percent of my time in the United States and have met hundreds of people. We’ve done the most extensive background work in our company’s history for this investment,” Saikkonen says.
The final choice was made from among five states. The decision to choose Ohio was driven by its excellent location, which is one of its main advantages – within a one-hour radius, 60 percent of the U.S. and Canadian markets can be reached. Ohio also offers a good labor pool, excellent logistics and flight connections.
“We worked closely with JobsOhio, and they helped connect us with potential customers,” Saikkonen adds.
Within Ohio, Mason – located near Cincinnati – was chosen as the headquarters.
“Mason has the charm and quality of life of a small town, yet it’s vibrant and close to big-city opportunities. It feels like home for a family-owned company from Finland,” says Saikkonen.
“An Extremely Important Market”
The plan is for the U.S. subsidiary to employ just over 10 professionals next year, mainly in sales and technical support, and to grow to 30 employees by the end of the decade. If all goes as planned, VILPE will also invest in manufacturing in the U.S. later in the decade, adding another 15 million euros to the total investment. Production would mainly focus on VILPE Sense products. Because sensor frequencies in the U.S. differ from those in Europe, European sensors cannot be used there.
“We’re very excited about the opportunities the U.S. market offers. It’s an extremely important market for smart technology,” says Ville Hellström, CEO of VILPE USA.
In early 2026, Hellström will relocate to the U.S. with his family for the first few years to oversee the launch of operations.
VILPE has received valuable support for its U.S. expansion from Business Finland, the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki, and the Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C.
In addition to the U.S., VILPE plans to expand its smart roof technology to Asia and begin operations there between 2027 and 2028. VILPE’s other subsidiaries are located in Sweden, Poland, the Baltic countries, and Ukraine.