Between the sessions of the Board meeting in Ivalo, the participants visited the facilities of the testing centre UTAC in Ivalo. The visit was arranged by Director of Education Ilkka Korhonen from the Municipality of Inari, and the Board was guided through the program by Director Susan Vuoariaro, who gave an interesting presentation of Test World Oy history, current operations and future operations. Test Manager Markus Hilli talked about the work in the test team, their roles and needed skills in tyre and vehicle testing.
UTAC’s winter proving ground is based in Northern Finland and specialises in vehicle and tyre testing in winter conditions. It offers extensive snow and ice tracks and the world’s first indoor winter test facilities for testing on natural snow and ice, and wet and dry braking with aquaplaning.
UTAC manages the tracks to give consistent, repeatable results that are highly valued by tyre and passenger car test teams alike. Customers benefit from the availability of service buildings nearby, from a wide range of accommodation and hospitality options, and from UTAC’s legendary customer service.
The visit provided the Board with knowledge and ideas for possible future cooperation. Creative and international minded enterprises like UTAC, will be interesting partners when the pandemic is overcome and ArcticSkills can start their planned exchange of students and experts.
