Jun 17, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Six new partners are now joining Finnish Wood Research Ltd (FWR). Manufacturers Finndomo, Huonekalutehdas Korhonen and Versowood have decided to broaden the shareholder base of the research organisation together with wood processing machinery and equipment suppliers Jartek, Penope and Raute, Finnish Forest Industries Federation said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. “The largest Nordic manufacturer of prefabricated wooden houses Finndomo, furniture manufacturer Huonekalutehdas Korhonen and Versowood, an innovative developer of wood products, are excellent complements to the shareholder base of FWR. Technology leaders Jartek, Penope and Raute will bring their strong competence in machinery, equipment and systems to the organisation,” says FWR Managing Director Kimmo Järvinen. The organisation is launching its first research programmes, which will focus on industrial timber construction systems and modules as well as the development of wood products and production technologies. These research programmes will establish the prerequisites for the development of new products, services and business models. "The companies participating in the activities of FWR will, to a large extent, determine the manner in which wood construction is developed in Finland.” says Järvinen. The industrial wood construction research programme will be realised in cooperation with organisations like the University of Oulu, Tampere University of Technology, Aalto University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the Strategic Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation on the Built Environment as well as companies such as Symbioosi, Tekla, Senate Properties, Virtual Systems and Ramboll Finland. Research on wood products and production technologies – creating new operating models for the industrial manufacture of wood products and components as well as the for development of fresh business activities Finnish Wood Research Ltd was established in March 2009 with the aim of spurring joint research activities in the wood products cluster. The organisation is tasked with initiating research and innovation programmes in the wood products industry, channelling research funding into jointly selected focal areas as well as with coordinating international research cooperation.