U-Line, the Milwaukee-based market leader in premium built-in undercounter ice making, refrigeration and wine preservation products, is expanding into the global marketplace with the opening of a European office in Finland.
Mark Russell, vice president of sales and marketing, will oversee the company’s setup and operations in Europe as U-Line launches its Modular 3000 Series product line throughout the region. Russell said that maintaining an ongoing presence in Europe is imperative to establishing relationships and managing growth.
A European manager will be hired prior to Russell’s return to the firm’s California office in the summer of 2013.
“We’ve been evaluating the European market for some time and it’s clear that there is a need for premium undercounter refrigeration and wine preservation products,” said Russell. “This market has been deprived of high-quality, premium undercounter options and I’m proud to say that with the launch of our Modular 3000 series, this will no longer be the case. Helsinki was named World Design Capital 2012 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design and Finland is a perfect hub as we expand internationally because of its close proximity to the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Russia.”
U-Line’s European office is based in the landmark Kone Building in Espoo, Finland, part of the Helsinki metropolitan area. Nokia, the telecommunications giant, is headquartered nearby, along with several other technology companies.
