How is responsibility integrated into business operations? What kind of measures can reduce corporate carbon emissions? Climate responsibility issues play an increasingly important role in the everyday life of companies and organizations, and NGS Finland Oy was founded to solve these issues and challenges. We interviewed NGS founder and CEO Antti Laakso, who tells the company's story in more detail.
Hi! Who are you and what do you do here at Werstas?
I am Antti Laakso from NGS Finland (Nordic Green Solutions) and our office is located here on the fourth floor of Werstas in ElectroCity.
What does NGS Finland do?
We provide corporate climate responsibility consulting, which in practice means emission accounting. We also conduct life cycle analyses, meaning we calculate the environmental impact of, for example, a specific product. We also help companies build climate responsibility strategies and assist in creating roadmaps with the goal of helping companies reduce their emissions.
Knowing the company's carbon footprint and evaluating the environmental impact of product life cycles are essential parts of responsible business, and NGS aims to meet this need.
How did you end up founding the company?
We brainstormed ideas on how to influence emissions in corporate business operations. We researched many different possibilities and operational methods and explored potential partners. Eventually, the pieces fell into place, and NGS was founded in January 2019.
We have noticed that transparency is becoming increasingly important for companies, and they want to openly communicate to consumers and customers how emissions are formed. You could say our mission is to fight climate change with concrete measures. This is achieved by enabling climate-responsible growth for companies. We started quite open-mindedly, and it has paid off, as our operations have grown year by year and we have reached places we never would have believed at the beginning!
What kind of team do you have?
We have a team of five experts working on tasks such as emission accounting and sales.
The premises at Werstas impressed us immediately, and quite soon we had our first NGS office here.
How did you find Werstas?
In the early days of the company, we worked in home offices and cafes. As our business operations strengthened, we started surveying potential office spaces in the Turku region and visited a few prospective locations. Werstas' premises convinced us immediately, and quite soon we had NGS's first office here.
How have you enjoyed your time here?
Very well! We are satisfied that when our space needs change, Werstas can respond to that need, meaning we have always found an office room of a suitable size. As the company has grown and we have other employees besides the founders, we pay attention to office comfort in a different way. The shared spaces complement our own space nicely, and we regularly use the meeting rooms for client meetings.
Have you gotten to know other Werstas residents?
Yes, there are quite like-minded people working here. It's nice to chat at the coffee machine or when meeting in the hallway.
So, the Science Park area has become familiar already?
Yes indeed! I live quite close by and can easily get to the office. I usually start working at home and then head to the office at a suitable time. My days are filled with client projects, meetings, and appointments. Werstas' location near the Kupittaa station is convenient, as work trips to Helsinki are easily handled by train.
The Science Park area has developed at a furious pace, and the area's services have improved even further. The selection of lunch restaurants is diverse, and there are always options to suit one's taste. We often visit Mauno in ElectroCity, as it is located close to our own office.
What is the best part of your job and being an entrepreneur?
The opportunity to work on things that are important to me and the ability to work in the way that suits me best.
How do you take care of your well-being in the everyday life of an entrepreneur?
Exercise is the best counterbalance to work. I enjoy playing tennis and practicing Thai boxing. I haven't tried the Science Park workouts yet, but I've heard they are very popular!
Your greetings to other Werstas members?
See you at Werstas and let's catch up! If it is current for you to think about climate responsibility issues, I am happy to help.
Thank you for the interview Antti and have a great autumn!