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1970 - Initial Adversities

Einari Vidgrèn founded the Ponsse Oy forest machine plant in 1970 as soon as economic assistance was obtained from the municipality of Vieremä for the construction of an industrial plant. The Regional Development Fund (KERA) did not however provide financial assistance for the new company and difficulties and setbacks characterised Ponsse's early years. Despite tight money and the difficulty of obtaining a loan, the plant developed and there was enough work for the machines as well as the staff.

New employees were hired to cope with the increasing demand for the machines and long workdays stretching into the evening hours were not uncommon. Ponsse's first mass-produced machine was the PAZ forwarder; the first buyers came to look at the machines even before they were finished. Deals were struck and the price of the machine was set at EUR 20,000.