Valmet Executive Team
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Pasi Laine |
Aki Niemi |
Sami Riekkola |
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Simo Sääskilahti |
Bertel Karlstedt |
Jari Vähäpesola |
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Jukka Tiitinen |
Celso Tacla |
Vesa Simola EMEA |
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| Xiangdong Zhu China |
Petri Paukkunen |
Katri Hokkanen |
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Julia Macharey |
Anu Salonsaari-Posti
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Pasi Laine President and CEO
born 1963 MSc. (Eng.) Finnish citizen |
Pasi Laine is the President and CEO of Valmet Oyj. Pasi Laine was a member of the Executive Team of Metso from 2006 to 2013. From December 2011 to December 2013 he was the President of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power. From 2011 until October 2013 Pasi Laine was Metso’s Executive Vice President, and Deputy to the CEO. He was the President of Paper and Fiber Technology in 2011, the President of Energy and Environmental Technology segment between 2008 and 2011, the President of Metso Automation between 2006 and 2011 and the President of Metso Automation’s Field Systems business line between 2003 and 2006. Pasi Laine has also served as the Senior Vice President of Metso Automation’s Pulp and Paper Automation Solutions business unit between 2002 and 2003 and the Vice President of the Process & Energy business unit between 1998 and 2002. Pasi Laine acted as the Managing Director of Elsag Bailey Hartmann & Braun Oy between 1996 and 1998 and held various positions at Valmet Automation in Finland, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom between 1988 and 1996. He is Chairman of the Board at Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company. Pasi Laine holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering.
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Aki Niemi Business Line President, Services
born 1969 MSc. (Eng.) Finnish citizen |
Aki Niemi leads Valmet's Services business line. He was the Area President of China at Valmet from 2013 to 2017 and the Area President of China of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power in 2013. Aki Niemi was the Vice President of Operations of China of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power between 2011 and 2013. Prior to that, he was the General Manager of Onsite operations of Metso’s Paper and Board Machine business unit between 2007 and 2011 and the Manager of Process Start-ups of Metso’s Paper and Board business line between 2003 and 2007. Aki Niemi acted as the Senior Manager of Metso’s Paper Technology between 1997 and 2003 and Customer Service Engineer at Valmet Corporation between 1994 and 1997. Aki Niemi holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering.
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Business Line President, Automation Systems
born 1974 MSc. (Eng.) Finnish citizen |
Sami Riekkola leads Valmet’s Automation Systems business line. He was the Vice President of Energy and Process Systems at Valmet until August 2018 and the Vice President, Central and Southern EMEA, Automation Business Line between 2015 and 2018. Sami Riekkola has a long career in the automation business at Valmet and Metso since 1998: Vice President Automation, Sales, Central Eastern Europe (2013-2015), Director, Machine Vision Product Group (2010-2013), Engineering Manager (2006-2010), Product Manager Profilers & Quality Management Systems (2004-2006), Senior Customer Service Engineer, Australia and New Zealand (2003-2004), and Project Engineer (1998-2003). Sami Riekkola holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering, Automation Technologies.
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Business Line President, Pulp and Energy
born 1962 MSc. (Eng.) Finnish citizen |
Bertel Karlstedt leads Valmet's Pulp and Energy Business Line. Prior to that he was the President and CEO of Nordkalk Corporation between 2006 and 2015 and a member of the Rettig Group management team between 2010 and 2015. Bertel Karlstedt was the Executive Vice President of Metso Paper in 2005, the President and CEO of Metso Paper between 2003 and 2005, President of Paper Making Lines of Valmet-Rauma Corporation and Metso Paper between 1999-2003, Business Unit Executive for Pulp Drying Machines unit at Valmet 1996-1999, Product Manager, Air Dryers at Valmet Paper Machinery between 1992 and 1996, and Senior Research and Development Engineer at Valmet Paper Machinery between 1991-1992. Bertel Karlstedt worked as Sales and Applications Engineer at Valmet-Enerdry, US between 1990 and 1991, and as Research and Development Engineer at Valmet Paper Machinery between 1988 and 1989. Bertel Karlstedt holds a Master of Science degree in Thermodynamics.
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Business Line President, Paper
born 1959 M.Sc. (Eng.) Finnish citizen |
Jari Vähäpesola leads Valmet’s Paper business line. He was the President of Paper business line of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power from 2011 to 2013. Jari Vähäpesola was the Senior Vice President of Paper Machines and Finishing business units in 2011, the Senior Vice President of Paper Machines business unit between 2008 and 2011 and the Senior Vice President of Service business unit between 2007 and 2008. He was the President of Service business line between 2006 and 2007 as well as the Senior Vice President of Services between 2004 and 2005 and the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing between 2002 and 2004. Jari Vähäpesola was the Managing Director of Metso Paper Limited, UK between 2000 and 2001. Prior to that he held various positions in Valmet Corporation in Finland and USA including the Vice President and General Manager of Valmet Rautpohja Service Center and the Manager, Technical Sales in Valmet-Appleton, Inc. Service Center between 1987 and 1999. Jari Vähäpesola holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering and a Diploma in International Marketing Management.
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Business Line President, Flow Control
Born: 1971 M.Sc. (Eng.), M.Sc. (Econ.) Finnish citizen |
Simo Sääskilahti leads Valmet’s Flow Control business line. He was Neles Corporation’s Interim President and CEO in 2022 and CFO and Deputy to CEO in 2020 - 2022. He served as Senior Vice President, Valve Technologies/Valve Equipment unit in Valves Business Area in Metso Oyj in 2016-2019. He was Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development in Metso Oyj in 2013-2016 and Vice President, Business Development Automation in Metso Oyj in 2011-2013. Prior to that, held several management positions in Comptel Corporation in 2001-2011 and was Management Consultant in McKinsey & Co in 1997-2001.
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Area President, North America
born 1965 M.Sc. (Eng.) Finnish and US citizen |
Jukka Tiitinen leads Valmet's North America area organization. Previously he lead Valmet’s Asia Pacific area organization. He was Business Line President of Valmet’s Services business line from 2013 to 2017 and the President of the Services business line of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power from 2011 to 2013. Prior to that Jukka Tiitinen was the President of Metso Paper, Inc. North America between 2004 and 2011 and the President of Metso Paper, Oy.’s Service business line between 2001 and 2004. Earlier Jukka Tiitinen was the Vice President of Roll Services of North America business unit at Metso Paper USA Inc./Valmet Inc. between 2000 and 2001. He has held various management positions in Valmet Corporation and Metso in North America, Australia, Finland and Thailand. He is a member of the Board of Directors at Neles Corporation. Jukka Tiitinen holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering.
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Area President, South America
born 1964 MBA Brazilian citizen |
Celso Tacla leads Valmet’s South America area organization. He was South America Area President for Metso’s Pulp, Paper and Power from 2011 to 2013. Prior to that he was President of Metso Paper South America (2008-2011) and Power business line Director (2007-2008). He has also served as Director of Power business line at Kvaerner do Brasil between 2004 and 2007, and in different positions at Kvaerner Pulping: Commercial Manager (2000-2004) and Sales Manager from 1994 to 2000. In addition, Celso Tacla was Sales Manager at Gotaverken Energy do Brasil (1992-1994). Previously he held various positions at Cocelpa Cia de Celulose e Papel do Paraná (1986-1992). Celso Tacla is a member of the Board of Directors at Brazilian Technical Association of Pulp and Paper (ABTCP) and also at the Brazilian Association for the Machinery and Equipment Industry, PR Regional Office (ABIMAQ/SINDIMAQ-PR). Celso Tacla holds a Master of Business Administration degree and is Production engineer and Chemical engineer.
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Area President, EMEA
born 1967 M.Sc. (Eng.) Finnish citizen |
Vesa Simola leads Valmet’s EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) area organization. Prior to that he was employed as Senior Vice President of the Consumer Board Division at Stora Enso (2012-2015). Vesa Simola has worked in many different management positions at Stora Enso: Senior Vice President, Liquid and Food Service Board Business Unit 2008-2012, Vice President, Food Service Boards and Fresh Liquid Packaging Boards 2006-2008, Sales Manager/ Director, Liquid Packaging Board 1999-2006, and Production Manager, Tainionkoski Mill 1998-1999. He worked as Production Manager, Heinola Fluting Mill at Enso Oy 1995-1998 and as R&D Engineer at Keräyskuitu Oy 1993-1995. Vesa Simola holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering.
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Area President, China
born 1967 B.Sc. (Eng.) Chinese citizen |
Xiangdong Zhu leads Valmet's China area. He was Vice President, Services, China at Valmet from 2013 to 2017. Prior to that Xiangdong Zhu was employed as Vice President, Automation at Voith Paper China (2011-2012) and Vice President, Capital Sales and Application at Voith Paper China (2012-2013). Xiangdong Zhu has worked in many management positions at Valmet Automation in China: Country Manager (2007-2011), Sales Director (2004-2006) and Sales Manager (1998-2003). He worked as Department Manager, Automation and Electrification at Stora Enso (Suzhou) Paper Co. Ltd (1992-1998) and as Engineer in Suzhou Signal and Communication Department of Shanghai Railway Bureau (1989-1992). Xiangdong Zhu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Automation and Master of Business Administration degree (MBA).
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Area President, Asia Pacific
born 1966 B.Sc., (Eng.) Finnish citizen |
Petri Paukkunen leads Valmet’s Asia Pacific area organization. Previously he worked as Vice President, Board and Paper Mills business unit in Valmet’s Paper Business Line. He was Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Board and Paper Mills business unit in Valmet’s Paper business line from 2012 to 2018, Vice President, Finishing rebuild in Metso Paper from 2009 to 2012, General Manager, Winder business in Metso Paper from 2007 to 2008, and General Manager, Roll finishing system sales in Metso Paper from 2004 to 2007. From 1991 to 2004 Petri Paukkunen worked in different process specialist and manager positions in Metso and Valmet in Finland and in the USA. He was a member of the Board of Directors at Allimand Group 2012-2021 and a member of the Board in the Finnish Forest Products Engineers association 2012-2019. Petri Paukkunen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Paper Engineering.
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Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Operational Development
born 1977 M.Sc. (Econ.) Finnish citizen |
Julia Macharey leads Valmet’s Human Resources and Operational Development. She was the Senior Vice President of Human Resources of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power from 2012 to 2013. Julia Macharey was the Vice President of Human Resources of Pöyry Plc’s Industry Business Group between 2007 and 2012. Prior to that, she was the Senior Manager of Business HR of Nokia Corporation’s Manufacturing Solutions between 2006 and 2007 and the Senior Manager of Business HR of Nokia Corporation’s Sourcing and Procurement between 2004 and 2006. Julia Macharey served as HR Manager of Team-based work systems at SCA Hygiene Products Ltd between 2002 and 2004, HR Manager at SCA Hygiene Products GmbH between 2001 and 2002 and HR Trainee at SCA Hygiene Products GmbH between 2000 and 2001. Julia Macharey holds a Master of Science degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Intercultural Communication.
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Interim CFO
born 1981 M.Sc (Economics) Finnish citizen |
Katri Hokkanen is Interim CFO of Valmet as of 1 May 2022. Prior to that, she was Vice President, Finance of Valmet’s Pulp and Energy business line between 2017 and 2022. Katri Hokkanen was the Head of Finance, Asia Pacific at Valmet between 2015 and 2017 and Manager, Finance of EMEA services business at Valmet between 2013 and 2015. Katri Hokkanen was Business Controller, Services of Metso Paper Inc. between 2011-2013 and Assistant Business Controller of Metso Paper Inc. between 2008-2011. She was Accountant and Senior Accountant of Metso’s Shared Services between 2006-2008. Katri Hokkanen holds a Master of Science degree in Economics.
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Senior Vice President, Marketing, Communications, Sustainability and Corporate Relations
born 1968 M.Sc. (Econ.) Finnish citizen |
Anu Salonsaari-Posti leads Valmet’s Marketing, Communications, Sustainability and Corporate Relations. She was the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power in 2013. Anu Salonsaari-Posti was the Vice President of Group Communications of Metsä Group between 2010 and 2013. Prior to that, she was the Head of Communications and Sustainability of Heat Division of Fortum Corporation between 2009 and 2010 and the Vice President of Communications and Marketing of Fortum Power and Heat Oy between 1999 and 2009. Anu Salonsaari-Posti held various positions at Imatran Voima Oy, including Marketing and Communications Manager between 1997 and 1998, Marketing Manager between 1995 and 1997 and Marketing Planner between 1994 and 1995. Anu Salonsaari-Posti holds a Master of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration and a Master of Science degree in Business Administration.
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