Raute Restructures, Announces Personnel Changes

To better address its operational and strategic development plans, Raute is changing its organizational structure, which will strengthen Raute’s ability to service customers and streamlines internal operations. The change will also be reflected in the Executive Board and responsibility areas.

As of January 1, Raute will have three business units—Wood Processing, Analyzers, and Services—each with a clear focus and accountability for its respective business operations. The Executive Board will consist of the CEO, three executive vice presidents—one for each business unit—and three functional roles: Chief Commercial Officer, Chief People Officer, and Chief Financial Officer.

Wood Processing unit includes Raute’s core technology offering for veneer, plywood and LVL production. Delivery scope includes separate production equipment, modernizations, as well as full mill-scale projects. Wood processing will be headed by Petri Strengell, who has been with Raute since 1987, and is a member of the Executive Board and has been responsible for supply chain. Strengell acted as Raute’s interim CEO from May 2022 to September 2022.

Analyzers unit serves customers with Raute’s latest measurement technology for sorting veneer, plywood and LVL, and special measurement equipment for sawn timber. Analyzers will be headed by Jani Roivainen, who has been with Raute since 2011 and has been responsible for the Metrix business as a member of the Executive Board since 2019.

Services unit focuses on Raute’s full-service concept ranging from spare parts deliveries to regular maintenance, digital services and equipment upgrades. Services will be headed by Kurt Bossuyt, who joined Raute in 2016. Bossuyt is a member of the Executive Board and has been heading the Basic Services business since 2019.

Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) is a new functional role in the Executive Board. Responsibility of the CCO includes Raute’s market operations, sales & marketing, as well as commercial excellence and development. Jari Myyryläinen is appointed CCO and a member of the Executive Board. Myyryläinen has worked in Raute since 2020 and is has been heading Raute’s EMEA Market Area.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for the finance, ICT, IR, ESG and other business support. Minna Yrjönmäki is continuing in the interim CFO role, which she has been responsible for since May 2022.

Raute’s external financial reporting structure will not change following the new organization structure as all Raute’s operations continue to belong to the wood products’ technology segment.

Mika Saariaho continues as President and CEO.

As of January 1, the company has initiated a search process for a Chief People Officer. In the meantime, Mia Könnilä has been appointed Raute Corp.’s interim Chief People Officer and Member of the Executive Board. Könnilä has been working with Raute since 2021 and is currently heading Raute Finland HR function.

“The new organization structure will take Raute closer to our customers through dedicated business units and new commercial function,” Saariaho says. “Raute will further strengthen its ability to deliver superior service to our customers, including successful project delivery, as well as advanced technology services tailored to customer needs. The new organization will streamline our ways of working and ensure focus on further development of Raute’s core competences. I want to thank warmly the departing Executive Board members.”

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