USA: U-Line, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of built-in undercounter ice making, refrigeration and wine preservation products, is opening a European office in Finland.
The new operation, based in offices in Espoo, Helsinki, will be managed by Mark Russell, VP of sales & marketing. He will oversee the company's setup and operations and the launch of U-Line's Modular 3000 Series of glass door refrigerators throughout the region.

Russell said that maintaining an ongoing presence in Europe was imperative to establishing relationships and managing growth. A European manager will be hired prior to Russell's return to the US 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.'

He added that U-Line saw Helsinki as a perfect hub for its international expansion because of its close proximity to the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Russia.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, U-Line has corporate headquarters in Milwaukee and a West Coast office established in Laguna Beach, California.