As a young boy, Jorma J. Takanen hauled firewood for his family dressed up in flimsy clothes during bone-chilling winters. This was just the beginning of his life's work which really started in 1976 when he founded Scanfil. Originally, the company manufactured filters but soon expanded into mechanics and electronics. Over the years, the company became one of the biggest contract manufacturers for Nokia. It survived the telecommunications downturn and transformed into one of Europe's largest electronics manufacturing services companies. The energetic and colorful Takanen influenced in the background of many Finnish growth companies and developed his home municipality of Sievi. “Built on Finnish Grit” is Scanfil's story of perseverance in a world of constant change.

Anitra Komulainen is a business historian and engineer from Oulu, Northern Finland, and her heart beats for technology and Ostrobothnian grit.