Ahti Vilppula
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Ahti Vilppula | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1959 (age 66–67) |
| Occupation | Businessperson |
Ahti Vilppula (born October 1959[1] or 17 July 1959[2]) is a Finnish businessman. Born in Finland, Vilppula lives abroad but has financial interests in his native country. Vilppula started exporting between the West and the then USSR in Spain. He moved to Brussels when the Soviet Union collapsed. Some companies with which Vilppula is involved have attracted the interest of financial regulators in Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.[3][full citation needed]
Together with Kai Mäkelä he has over the current decade been a major shareholder in companies such as Saunalahti, Alma Media, Talentum, and Ruukki Group. Vilppula sold a 10 percent stake in Ruukki Group in the Spring of 2008 to the Russian bank VTB.[3]
Newspapers and banks buyout
In the 1980s, Vilppula with Kai Mäkelä bought large holdings in provincial newspapers. Vilppula bought with private investor Taito Tuunanen shares in the Union Bank of Finland (SYP, today after mergers Nordea) and insurance company Sampo Bank. They sold a quarter of Sampo stock holdings with a considerable profit.[3][full citation needed]
Kazakhstan
Vilppula was the Director of International Operations of the Kazakhstan-based metals and gas giant Euro-Asian Group in 1997. In a few years, the company became a major name in the world of chromium and ferrochromium markets. Vilppula has had close and cordial contacts with a group of billionaires known as the "Kazakhstan Trio," who are suspected by the Belgian authorities of money laundering, counterfeit documents, and links to organized crime.[3][full citation needed]
South Africa
Vilppula became a shareholder in the next port SA Chrome & Alloys in South Africa in 2001.[3][full citation needed]
United States
Vilppula allegedly tried to buy the Pea Ridge Mine in Sullivan, Missouri, according to suit filings.[5]