Gustaf Wrede

Gustaf Woldemar Wrede af Elimä (28 July 1889 – 17 February 1958) was a Finnish Freiherr, engineer and businessman. He is best known for his contribution to Finnish tractor production.

Wrede was born to influential Finnish industrialist Wrede family; his father Freiherr Carolus Wrede worked as manager in number of Finnish engineering companies. Due to his background, Wrede got a good education and subsequently a good position in his father's company, in which he designed Kullervo tractor.

As manager of AB Dalsbruk Wrede grew a hardy manager who saved the company from closure and developed the production. During World War II Wrede led the nickel mining company Petsamon Nikkeli Oy. After the war he led the metal industry production for war reparations to the Soviet Union. As manager of Valmet, Wrede participated in developing of Valmet tractors.

Early years and studies Wrede's parents were Freiherr, manager Carolus Wrede and Siri, born Söderhjelm. The affluent Finnish-Swede Wrede family had been involved in industrial development for generations already. Carolus Wrede was the main owner of engineering companies Åbo Jernmanufaktur and Åbo Waggonfabrik. It was rather natural, that also Gustaf Wrede became oriented towards engineering. He studied eight grades in Swedish-speaking Nya svenska läroverket in Helsinki. In 1907 he started studies in Technische Universität Darmstadt in Germany where he graduated in 1911 as Mechanical Engineer.

During 1924–1934 Wrede led Suomen Pultti ja Konetehdas Oy and in 1935–1946 he worked as manager of Suomen Lasitehdas.

Petsamon Nikkeli

Wrede got an offer for manager position in Petsamon Nikkeli Oy in Petsamo 1940, right after the Winter War. He took the challenging position and sold his Dalsbruk shares. The company management had recently decided to invest on Kolosjoki mine and Wrede led the construction project determinedly. The mine was in focal point in global politics: Petsamon Nikkeli belonged to British Mond Nickel Company which wanted to close the mine when the Finnish-German relations started to improve during the Interim Peace. In response, the Finnish government took the mine under its control. Mining began in 1940 and the nickel was sold to Germany for low price. Continuation War between Finland and Soviet Union began in 1941. Wrede worked under high pressure negotiating about deliveries and other conditions with the German customers. In addition to the company, Wrede led the community grown around the mine. Due to political conditions, Wrede had to leave the mine in September 1944; he placed the company keys on his office desk before he left. Subsequently, Petsamo was ceded to Soviet Union in Moscow Armistice.

Valmet

After the war Wrede was called to lead engineering industry production in Delegation of War Reparation Industry (Soteva), where he worked in 1944–1952. In 1945–1951 he worked as manager of Ares Oy. He was nominated to lead Valmet but the left-wing member of the board resisted the idea. Situation changed in the 1950s after Finland had paid off the war reparations – Valmet fell into crisis, as it had to find new lines of business and start working in free market. The company needed an experienced and determined leader, and Wrede became selected new manager of Valmet in 1954 after nomination by Väinö Tanner. Valmet had been formed by putting together a number of companies, many of them experienced in defence industry. It was the most significant domestic competitor of the other leading Finnish engineering company Wärtsilä Group − managed by Wrede's brother-in-law.

When seeking for a new direction, Valmet had started producing tractors. Wrede had a passion to the subject, originating from his youth, and he participated actively on tractor designing. Finnish agriculture mechanised rapidly in the 1950s and Valmet tractors gained a strong foothold in the domestic market.

Gustaf Wrede died at his home in Königstedt Manor in February 1958 after suffering of cancer.

Political career and organisational activities During 1937–1940 Wrede was chairman of the Finnish Metal Industry Employers' Association. He was board member in Employers' Central Association in 1932–1933, 1937–1943 and 1955–1956 and chairman in 1941–1942.

In 1935–1940 Wrede was chairman of Dragsfjärd municipal council.

Character Wrede was regarded as proficient engineer. As a manager Wrede was an old school industrialist who rather built connections than oriented on marketing. There are number of examples when Wrede rather approached politicians instead of competing in open market.

Personal life Wrede was married for three times. A 1915 started marriage with Ebba née Tollet ended in divorce in 1919. He got married again in 1920 to Karin Sophie née Andelin in 1920 and the couple divorced in 1946. In 1948 Wrede married Asta née Örtengren; this marriage lasted until Wrede's death.

In 1949 Wrede bought Königstedt Manor for his residence.