Starting from March 1, 2017, the following members were appointed to the Board of Directors of Telko, in addition to the chairman of the company's Board of Directors: Anders Dahlblom, Vice President and Managing Director of Paroc Group Oy; Elina Piispanen, Chief Transformation Officer at Sanoma Media Finland; and Irmeli Rytkönen, CEO of Gigantti Oy Ab.

Leipurin has served its customers for 100 years, starting from the early days of Finland's independence. Leipurin's future activities are based on its original roots: customer-driven operations. According to its new growth strategy, Leipurin will serve not only bakery customers, but also customers in the out of home (OOH) market.

In spring 2017, Aspo shifted to a practice of paying dividends in two installments. This practice will help Aspo to improve its cash flow management, produce steadier cash flow to its shareholders and reduce volatility of the share price. The first installment of dividends of EUR 0.42 was paid in April and an equal installment was paid in November.

Kauko's solar power business grew strongly. In May, the 1,000th system delivery of the year was installed. The sales volume at the beginning of the year equaled the volume of solar power systems delivered by the company in 2016. The total output of 1,000 solar power systems covers the electricity consumption of roughly 200 detached houses in a year.

ESL Shipping's new eco-friendly dry cargo vessel was named Viikki in a ceremony held in Nanjing, China, in June. The 160-meter LNG-fueled vessel of 26,000 dwt produces more than 50% less carbon dioxide than the previous vessel generation.

As planned, Telko started operations in the Middle East in order to acquire raw materials and start to sell special technical products.

Leipurin sold its raw material operations for the meat industry to MP Maustepalvelut Oy, part of the Dutch Barenz Group.

Tomi Tanninen (M.Sc. Econ.) was appointed new CFO of Telko starting from September 1, 2017.

ESL Shipping's second LNG-fueled dry cargo vessel was named Haaga at the Jinling shipyard in Nanjing, China, in September. It will start operating, together with its sister ship Viikki in the Baltic Sea during the first half of 2018.

Telko's new goals were announced at Aspo's investor event. Telko estimated its net sales to be at EUR 300–350 million and operating profit at 6–7 percent by the end of 2020.

Kauko decided to discontinue its project operations in Beijing during the fourth quarter. After discontinuing its operations in China, Kauko will have operations in Finland and Germany.

The two new vessels are the most effective large bulk carriers in the world in terms of their fuel economy and level of technology. Their CO2 emissions are more than 50% lower compared with current vessels.

The four-year period that has been set to reach the Group’s long-term financial targets ends. With its current structure, the company is looking for an operating profit rate of 7%, ROE of over 20% on average and gearing of up to 100%.