Plastics training

Tell us about your background (training and work experience)

I have been working in the plastics industry since March 2000, when I started in logistics at a warehouse. I worked as a warehouse manager for a plastics wholesaler for nearly three years. In 2003, I transferred to sales duties within the same company. I have held sales and managerial posts in the plastics industry for 15 years now. During that time, I have served as a managing director at two companies and currently I work as Aikolon’s sales and marketing director. For the main part of my career, I have worked in sales, helping customers in matters related to plastics.

By training, I am a trade technician and a master of administrative sciences.

How do you develop your expertise?

I have a built-in mechanism for continuous development. Sometimes I wish there was a switch to turn it off for a while. :) Mainly it is a good thing though, and I believe that life is a journey of continuous learning. I am naturally interested in new and different things, which makes it easy to develop my professional skills. I read a fair bit of professional literature, and good management practices are close to my heart. I attend industry events and training courses across Europe and read professional publications to develop my knowledge of plastics.

On social media, I follow interesting people with more expertise and experience. You can gain inspiration and new ideas that way. I also enjoy exchanging ideas and sparring. Smart colleagues and supervisors make that possible.

What are you like as an instructor (e.g. what kind of training methods do you use)?

Before the start of a training course, I learn about the company and their training needs. In the training, I want to focus on topics that create most added value for the participants. Time is always in short supply so I do not want to waste it on matters that are irrelevant. During the training, I observe the participants’ reactions and adjust the content of the training accordingly, if necessary. I start with the big picture and move on to more detailed information. I visualise the topics as much as possible.

I try to make it inspiring, and so far no one has fallen asleep during my training. :)

What are your strengths as an instructor?

I would say I am an all-rounder in the area of plastics. Dealing with the big picture has always been my strength. My specialist areas include the selection processes for plastic materials and production methods. Of the various industries, I know the health technology, food industry and luminaire industries the best.

Tell us a little about a hobby closest to your heart

As I mentioned earlier, I am always interested in new and different things. This also goes for hobbies as I have tried many different things. In autumn and winter, I hunt and practise aikido, and in summer I enjoy going out on my motorbike and doing DIY on the house. Motorcycling is therapeutic and I find it extremely relaxing. The sense of freedom and adventure appeals to me.

Tell us about your background (training and work experience)

The first time I sold plastics and cut them with a circular saw was at the age of 16, about 25 years ago. Since then, I have done many other things too, such as studied and lived abroad. I graduated from the mechanical engineering programme in Turku in 2004, and about a year later I started working for Aikolon full-time.

How do you develop your expertise?

My day-to-day work solving customers’ problems continuously teaches me new things. As new challenges present themselves every week, I am continuously researching new materials and their processing methods. I also keep up to date on new publications in the field, whenever I come across them. Social media has proved an excellent resource in this regard.

What are you like as an instructor (e.g. what kind of training methods do you use)?

I try to adopt a practical approach. Practical examples are an excellent way to illustrate which plastics work in which applications.

What are your strengths as an instructor?

During my career, I have come across numerous interesting cases. Offering descriptions of these and sharing my extensive knowledge of plastic materials are my strong areas as an instructor. Regarding industry-specific solutions, I am most familiar with applications in the vehicle, paper and pulp and electronics industries.

Tell us a little about a hobby closest to your heart

I took up snowboarding in the 1980s, and was among the first people to do so. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to go snowboarding in various parts of the world. I have acted as an international snowboarding judge for almost 20 years, which has offered me the chance to witness the world’s main competitions. My career as a snowboarding judge is coming to an end but I still follow the sport closely, and every winter I spend most weekends on the slopes of Pyhä or Ruka with my family.