Update # 229
KESKUS ignites a spark with newest Kalevipoja Laud donor in Estonia
Endel Palla, retired CEO of AS Harju Elekter Group in Estonia, claims his significant business success has come from hard work and making the simple but shrewd decision to tackle the right industry.
“I asked myself, what is a necessity for people and their built environments? Everyone needs electricity, so that’s what I focussed on when building the company,” he said.
Õnn (luck) may have had a sliver of influence over what came next, but putting in the time and acumen were surely the main drivers of his success.
Today, AS Harju Elekter Group is one of the leading suppliers of electrical and automation equipment in the Baltic and Scandinavia and employs close to 1,000 people in Estonia, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania.
Its headquarters are located in Keila, Estonia and the company is listed on the Nasdaq Tallinn Stock Exchange.
“I consider Harju Elekter, which I developed into a multinational enterprise, my life's work,” he said.
The company’s wide scope of products and services includes providing electrical power distribution equipment for utilities, industries, infrastructure and building projects, ranging from turnkey installations to customized products. Close to 90 per cent of its products are marketed outside Estonia.
We welcome Endel Palla as a major donor
Endel Palla has become the latest Kalevipoja Laud donor to KESKUS.
This 83 year-old entrepreneur extraordinaire, who retired just two years ago, learned of KESKUS’ progress during an information session in Tallinn led by project lead Ellen Valter earlier this year.
He read an article in Estonia’s newspaper Postimees about KESKUS and, learning of upcoming session, decided to attend and find out more. The project sparked his interest immediately.
“It was so inspiring to hear about this project to build a home, a centre for all Estonians, and I decided to support it,” he said.
The path from Tartu County to Tallinn and beyond
Endel was born in Kiidjärve municipality in Tartu County. Like many of our ancestors, his family were farmers and made their living from the land. His father Karl and mother Ida owned a 60-hectare farm and he recalls how the family did all of the work in the fields and pastures themselves.
Endel graduated from the local secondary school in the nearby Ahja hamlet and then moved to Tallinn to further his education. He graduated as an electronics engineer from the Tallinn University of Technology in 1968.
His siblings went on to successful careers as well. Sister Laine graduated from Tartu Medical School as a midwife and brother Hans graduated as a civil engineer from the Tallinn University of Technology and managed Harju KEK, a commercial and industrial real estate developer in Estonia.
Endel’s path was clear from an early age. He started with Harju Elekter in 1969 to develop electrical equipment production and rose to Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair, a position he held from 1999 to his retirement in 2022.
Among his many recognitions is the Estonia’s Order of the White Star IV class (2009) and Finnish Chamber of Commerce Gold Award and for Lifetime Achievement awarded in 2021.
Endel and his wife Viivi live near Tallinn to this day.
Admiration for Canadian-Estonian community
Endel and Viivi have traveled to North America several times, most recently in 2023, and have visited Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, the Niagara area and the northern U.S. At that time we stopped by the KESKUS construction site.
The couple had relatives here, including Endel’s uncle Osvald Palla and Viivi’s aunt Magda Feltman, both now deceased.
“I admire and enjoy the Estonian community in Canada. There are so many activities that have been developed such as the Estonian school, summer camps and cultural events. The preservation and respect for Estonian language and culture is extraordinary.”
Community connection builds strong foundation
Endel adds that holding fast onto a sense of community is of utmost importance.
“The community in Canada keeps connections to each other strong. It’s a fine group of exemplary people who have done well in their lives.”
He considers relations between Estonia and Canada to be vital, and comments that Canada has always supported Estonia's independence.
A thought for the future
“Estonia is a very small country, and successful Estonians throughout the world contribute to making us bigger and better known,” he remarked. “It’s wonderful how the Estonian community sticks together and supports each other.”
“Maybe we will settle there in our older years!” he chuckled.
One thing is for sure. If the Pallas ever do decide to do that, they would be welcomed with open arms.
Discover the benefits of giving wisely
Please join the growing list of KESKUS capital campaign donors to help bring this extraordinary project to completion. KESKUS leadership donors are recognized here.
There are many ways to make a contribution to KESKUS.
To donate, click here, or call +1.647.250.7136 or email donations@estoniancentre.ca. Donations may be made as a family gift, or in honour of an individual or family. All donations are issued a tax receipt, in Canada via Estonian Arts Centre, US tax receipts via Myriad USA and Estonian tax receipts via Eesti Rahvuskultuuri Fond. Donations by credit card may be made here.
Legacy gifts made to the Estonian Arts Centre, the charity associated with KESKUS, are creative and tax-effective ways to provide support. These are known as “planned gifts” because with thoughtful planning, we create a win-win situation that benefits both you and our community for generations to come. Find out how to provide a bequest in your will by going to www.estoniancentre.ca/bequest.
For information on making other types of planned gifts, including gifts of appreciated securities or insurance policies, or if you have any other questions, please contact EAC Donations Manager Taimi Hooper via email at donations@estoniancentre.ca or phone +1.647.250.7136.
Let’s keep in touch
Comments