When curiosity leads to unexpected career paths

"I first became interested in Valmet while working as an apprentice fitter and machinist. During one maintenance shutdown at the B9 paper mill site in Sydney, I had the opportunity to work alongside Valmet professionals and observe their approach to teamwork, problem-solving, and maintenance excellence. The experience left a strong impression on me and inspired me to pursue a career with the company", Jack says.

That early exposure eventually led Jack to reach out to one of the supervisors he had met on site. The connection opened the door later to a role with Valmet, and he joined the company as a fitter. Since joining Valmet, Jack has taken on a wide variety of roles, each offering something new. He started as a fitter and is working currently as Maintenance Supervisor, Stock Preparation & Services.

Growing through new challenges

One of the things Jack values most about working at Valmet is the opportunity to keep learning. Throughout his career, he has expanded both his technical and leadership skills through training, project work, and assignments that introduced him to different parts of the business.

"Early in my career, I completed a range of training courses and certifications required for my role, including rigging, forklift, scissor lift and confined space training. I also gained valuable hands-on experience working with various equipment and maintenance activities. As I moved into shutdown scheduling, I developed my planning skills through training and practical experience. I also improved my SAP knowledge and became more proficient in Microsoft Office tools, which have been important in my day-to-day work." 

A particularly memorable development opportunity came through a three-month assignment in Italy, where Jack supported the Valmet MMO team at DS Smith Lucca.

Getting the chance to go over there and implement some of the structures and processes we have in place at B9, as well as expand my experience on two older machines was amazing!

Contributing to a more sustainable world through work

From a mill maintenance perspective, Jack says that contribution to a more sustainable future comes by ensuring machine uptime, particularly in the rejects and water treatment plant areas.

"By proactively maintaining these areas, we recover the maximum amount of fibre while achieving the highest possible dewatering, minimizing the amount of waste sent to landfill. We also keep the site within its environmental limits by ensuring compliant effluent discharge. Both actions deliver environmental and commercial benefits, helping to realize the full potential of sustainability."

Moments to be proud of

When it comes to memorable moments to be proud of, Jack says there is one that stands out from 2025.

"This was a complex shutdown that ran for the full five days. I was the lead shutdown scheduler while also covering the board machine supervisor role. The work included replacing rusted dryer framing underneath the fabric cleaner, coating the winder and reeler drums, completing a SymBelt overhaul, and carrying out multiple roll changes in the wet end. A lot of planning and preparation went into the shutdown, with everyone working together to make it a success. The shutdown was scheduled to last 111.75 hours, from Monday at 12 a.m. to Friday at 3:45 p.m. We had the sheet back on at 4 p.m., meaning we finished only 15 minutes over schedule after five days of work. It was an incredible effort from everyone involved!"

Keep learning, keep growing

When asked to describe Valmet in three words, Jack chooses growth, collaborative, and supportive. They reflect not only the culture he experiences every day but also the journey he has taken during his time with the company.  

"Growth, because Valmet has helped me develop from a tradesperson into a manager, and now I can support my team in their own growth. Collaborative, because both Valmet team and customer on site are really focused on solving problems together. And supportive, because the Valmet team is always ready to help one another out."

Jack Woodall is working as a Maintenance Supervisor, Stock Preparation & Services at Valmet in Sydney, Australia.

For those looking to grow their career, Jack’s advice is simple:

Take on the opportunities that are presented to you, whether they're big or small. You won't regret it!