Company: Exel plc. Vantaa, Finland

Company Description: Exel plc. is an international Group specialised in composite technology. The Group’s operations include advanced composite products for industrial applications and consumer goods. Exel’s is also the leading company in Nordic Walking. In 2005 the Group’s net sales totalled EUR 91 million. Exel personnel averaged 450. Exel’s share is listed on Helsinki Stock Exchange’s Main List.

Nomination Category: Organization Awards Categories

Nomination Sub Category: Best Product Development Organization

Nomination Title: Exel plc. Nordic Walking

   1. Tell the story about what this nominated organization/department achieved in the past year (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Exel plc. from Finland developed and commercialized a new sport called Nordic Walking, which is the fastest growing recreational physical activity in Europe and maybe in the world. Nordic Walking is fitness walking with specially designed Nordic Walker poles. Since the beginning of the launch,

there are already over 6 million people Nordic Walking on weekly basis and activities can be found now already in over 30 countries. Check Nordic Walking from google. We have presented Nordic Walking in over 30 countries.

   2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, http://www.youraddress.com:

http://www.nordicwalking.com

Additional supporting materials for this entry were submitted offline.

   3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader(s) of this nominated organization/department:

Director of the Sports Division of Exel plc., Aki Karihtala, Senior Vice