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.”
Latest News
Kronospan Completes Simsboro Particleboard Purchase
Kronospan, a producer of wood panel products, has announced the closing of its purchase of Roseburg’s Simsboro, La., particleboard facility following the expiration of the required regulatory review period. Ownership of the plant has been transferred from Roseburg to Kronospan…
Hymmen’s Dr. Werner Pankoke Dies
Werner Pankoke, died at the age of 85 following a stroke. Born March 29, 1938 as the third child of Bielefeld, Germany dentist Dr. Wilhelm Pankoke, Werner decided not to follow in his father’s footsteps when he began his studies. Instead, he was drawn to Munich Technical University, where he pursued his grandfather Theodor Hymmen’s engineering interests—studying mechanical engineering…
Metsä Group, Sweco Sign Agreement For Design Of LVL Mill
Metsä Group and Sweco have signed an agreement for the implementation planning of the new Kerto LVL mill in Äänekoski, Finland. “We have strong confidence in Sweco’s expertise and resources from our previous collaboration projects. It is therefore natural that we continue our cooperation in this project to develop the Äänekoski mill area,” says Jaakko Anttila, Executive Vice President, Metsä Wood…
Siempelkamp Sells KüstersPress, ContiPress Technology To Sunds Fibertec
On December 12th Siempelkamp and Sunds Fibertech signed an agreement for the sale of the KüstersPress and ContiPress service business. With this transaction Sunds Fibertech will become the OEM supplier for this technology area; the transfer date will be January 3rd, 2024…
Weyerhaeuser Enhances Coastal Holdings
Weyerhaeuser Co. entered into two agreements with Forest Investment Associates to divest 69,600 acres in upstate South Carolina for $170 million, and to purchase 60,700 acres of high-quality timberlands in coastal North Carolina, South Carolina and Mississippi for $163 million…
Find Us On Social
Newsletter
The monthly Panel World Industry Newsletter reaches over 3,000 who represent primary panel production operations.
Subscribe/Renew
Panel World is delivered six times per year to North American and international professionals, who represent primary panel production operations. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative. Contact us today!