Building bridges – with customers and colleagues

A dynamic role with a clear purpose 

Johanna describes herself as someone who thrives in dynamic, global environments, and her workdays clearly reflect that. She typically manages two to three development projects at a time and has the opportunity to work with cross functional projects such as research and development, production, engineering and sourcing. 

What I enjoy most is the opportunity to collaborate with so many skilled colleagues. Their dedication really inspires me.”

Her projects cover everything from machine section upgrades to digital solutions, making each day a learning experience. And that, according to Johanna, is what makes the role so rewarding. “It creates a great foundation for innovation. I also appreciate how my work supports customers in becoming more sustainable, by helping reduce energy usage and fiber waste.” 

From defense to development 

Johanna holds a master’s degree in Material Science and Engineering from KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Before joining Valmet, she spent five years in the defense industry, an experience that sharpened both her technical know-how and her sense of strategic collaboration. 

Her journey at Valmet includes various roles, all of which have helped her understand the industry from multiple perspectives. Three years ago, she joined the R&D team, drawn by the opportunity to combine customer interaction with product development.  “I’ve always been curious about unexplored areas and eager to learn from skilled people. That’s what led me here,” she says. 

Innovation in action 

One project that stands out is Johanna’s work leading the development of the InWoundCaliper control – a smarter, more user-friendly solution for controlling tissue reels. 

“The reel section is quite complex to control, and the need for an adaptive, intuitive interface had been there for a long time. We had lots of ideas and iterated closely with the customer throughout the process,” she says. Seeing the idea evolve from concept to implementation has been a milestone, not just for the customer, but for Johanna’s own development as well. 

Building bridges – with customers and colleagues 

Johanna is frequently in direct contact with customers; she hosts guided tours and acts as an assisting project manager during customer trials at the Tissue Technology Pilot Facility. 

Our long-lasting relationships with customers are something I really value. I love hearing their stories and seeing their drive to innovate and become more sustainable. It motivates me to do more.” 

She believes her strengths as a project manager lie in being target-oriented and open to learning, but her colleagues would probably describe her as engaged, proactive and positive-minded. All of which are crucial traits when managing complex projects with many moving parts. 

A company with forward momentum 

For Johanna, Valmet’s combination of long-standing legacy and future-focused ambition is key. “Valmet has a strong foundation, but it’s also constantly moving forward. The addition of tissue converting, for instance, really opened new ways to work together and support customers from end to end.” 

Her motivation? A mix of positive feedback, strong team spirit, and seeing the effort that her colleagues are putting in every delivery project.  

Recharging with family and presence 

When it’s time to unwind and recharge, Johanna finds joy in the simplest of things: quality time with her family. 

My kids bring me so much happiness and remind me to live in the moment.” 

Johanna hiking in Sweden together with her two children 

Beyond family time, Johanna embraces activities that help her slow down and refocus. Whether she's curled up with a good book, piecing together a challenging puzzle, or gliding down snowy slopes on a skiing trip.