Chemigate, the Bridge 1 / 2023 EN

Chemigate’s customer magazine 2023

”Disrupting the status quo, forging bold partnerships for a bio-based revolution.”

- ChatGPT

Editorial

Yeah, listen …uh,

we f***ed up.

2

022 was an interesting year, in a hitting-your-toeon-a-table-leg or losing-your-house-keys kind of way. The year began with a major customer’s industrial action. Then a war broke out, followed by a miserable harvest and an economic downturn. You

would think the numbers would have ended up in the red.

They didn’t.

Like all other unwritten and written rules, the laws of sup-

ply and demand got rewritten last year. For example, with the

used this soapbox to shout, “tear down that wall”.

second largest export market gone since the summer, there

The ‘Berlin Walls’ between companies are being torn down.

should have been an oversupply of products and raw mate-

Our partnership with IFF is based on close cooperation be-

rials. Instead, we lived hand to mouth. Next, everybody pre-

tween the companies. It is also a good example of how net-

dicted an energy shortage and urged everyone to forget about

working can be more about actions than hype. With us, it

the price issue and focus on ensuring availability. And what

has led to investments of several million euros at an unprec-

happened? The price of energy plunged like the value of the

edented pace. The old and hopefully expiring way of doing

rouble.

things is that the parties supposedly share a common goal

In times like these, keeping constant contact with cus-

while, in reality, they focus on mutual distrust and secrecy.

tomers and partners is worth its weight in gold. In business,

Such a Soviet-era approach is frustrating and as inefficient as

a mess without any warning is much worse than a ‘normal’

the production line in a Lada factory. The secret to the success

mess. Having discussed the risks with your partners or even

of the Lavender (IFF) project was agreeing on the roles and re-

decided on acceptable risks, it is much easier to pick up the

sponsibilities. That way, each party knew what to do and what

phone and report that the soup just spilt on our collective lap.

not. What was important for us at Chemigate was the message

The cynics are probably shaking their heads at this. I admit

from IFF that they will not build a further processing line for

that admitting to mistakes is not at all pleasant. In Profes-

glucan but that it is the responsibility of Chemigate.

sor Ron Dulek’s course on strategic communication at Aalto

Expanding our business to include the production of native

University, we spent several hours learning how to admit mis-

potato starch brought Chemigate about 350 farmers as part-

takes. The American way is that nothing is admitted, and if it

ners. Building cooperation in a constellation where the con-

is admitted, the passive form is used. So, you say, “It all went

tract farmers are both suppliers and owners of the raw mate-

sideways” instead of, “I made a mess of this”. This magazine’s

rial requires close cooperation. Our common goal is a profit-

previous issue included a short piece on this theme entitled

able chain. Where can we find areas for improvement that will

Raise your hand if you messed up.

benefit everyone in the chain? What are the roles and responsibilities of each party in a changing business environment?

Avoiding responsibility is not in line with our values

These kinds of issues have been discussed at numerous meet-

At Chemigate, being in close contact with customers is the

rope. The hope of a better future through the green transi-

norm. By the way, this is the theme of the issue you are cur-

tion has not been properly conveyed to the primary producers.

rently reading. More attention was paid to communication

This is not my first time spreading the good word.

ings. One thing has been neglected – arguably throughout Eu-

with the coronavirus pandemic hindering physical contact. So, we grabbed our phones and called. Our secret ingredient in dealings with the forest industry is to create an understanding that we are all in the same boat. It’s not the first time I’ve

2

Tom Schauman Editor-in-Chief and CEO of the Chemigate Group

Contents Chemigate’s customer magazine 2023

Editorial................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Transparency, reliability, and relationships are all important in procurement.........................................................................4 Farming support for the primary producers of starch.................................................................................................................8 The end of humanity at the workplace?...................................................................................................................................... 10 Transport harmony calls for a skilled conductor......................................................................................................................... 13 Tales from integration...................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Everything was more than we could have hoped for ............................................................................................................... 18 Ten years later....................................................................................................................................................................................22 Chemigate’s and Kyrö Distillery Company’s timeline...................................................................................................................26 We’re all part of the sales team......................................................................................................................................................28 Chemigate career chronicles............................................................................................................................................................30 The different shades of customer work ........32 Coffee table poll .................................................33 Petit Fours............................................................34 I CAN DO IT...........................................................39 Plant a tree by email..........................................40 The Bridge on Chemigate Oy:n sidosryhmälehti.

Editor in chief: Tom Schauman (tom.schauman@chemigate.fi) Editorial staff: Tuire Luomala, Maisa Kantola, Tom Schauman Editorial contributors: Jenga, Martin Ekman and Annaleena Stenman.

Layout: Jenga Markkinointiviestintä Oy Paper: Multiart silk Feedback: marketing@chemigate.fi You receive The Bridge magazine because your name is in Chemigate’s stakeholder register. If you do not, for some reason, wish to receive any post from us, please inform us of the matter by sending an e-mail to marketing@chemigate.fi. You can also order the magazine or provide us with feedback via the same e-mail address.

I’M A THIRD GENERATION MASTER FARMER. I GROW POTATOES.

WELL, GROW THIS ONE TO HALF A METER. 3

Transparency, reliability, and relationships are all important in procurement – not to mention price

Chemigate’s procurement pals: Production Director Harri Heikkinen and Procurement and Logistics Manager Kimmo Mäntysalo.

4

Chemigate approaches downstream customers as a seller, but upstream partners as purchasers of raw materials and services. Now, let’s put on our procurement thinking caps and ask Kimmo Mäntysalo and Harri Heikkinen: how do we get down to brass tacks in procurement?

Text: Jenga

C

hemigate’s competitive ad-

and Logistics Manager. He’s responsible

going well. We have very good suppliers

vantage has always been our

for transport contracts.

who have upheld their responsibilities

ability to deliver products to

“Quite few of the chemicals are of

customers professionally and

Finnish origin. Around half of the chem-

even in these uncertain times.”

on time. But ensuring this re-

icals we use are produced within the EU,

quires just as reliable partners on the

and the rest outside it. Procurement,

supplier side. The role of procurement

then, is an international operation –

is even more critical in a turbulent and

but the world is pretty small, and Teams

According to Heikkinen, the last couple

uncertain global environment, and it’s

meetings are standard fare. It’s great

of years have seen increasingly close re-

increasingly important to keep raw ma-

that we can look for and find wide-rang-

lationships with suppliers in starch pro-

terial supplies and sales rolling along at

ing suppliers from around the world,”

curement. One example is a contract

the same pace.

says Mäntysalo.

signed in 2021, which resulted in all of

New openings pave the way for more transparent cooperation

“Procurement plays a central and in-

Chemigate has several long-term

Anora’s barley starch being supplied to

fluential role in our operations. Material

chemical suppliers – but supply is mon-

the paper and board industry through

flows and unit volumes are large, mean-

itored, and new relationships are estab-

Chemigate.

ing even small fluctuations in procure-

lished when necessary. Broadening the

“We work with Anora on a one-stop-

ment and sales prices can make or break

scope of procurement increases flexibil-

shop basis. Customers get the same ser-

the whole business,” says Harri Heikki-

ity and certainty. The recent pandemic

nen, Production Director and respon-

served as a reminder of the risks of hav-

sible party for starch raw material pro-

ing too few suppliers, with delivery

curement at Chemigate.

times of a couple of months

“We try to keep starch procurement

stretching to six. And

predictable by aligning it with the sales

it’s not just the

side. For many customers, prices and de-

number of suppli-

liveries are defined by contract for the

ers that’s import-

whole year. By making similar contracts

ant, Mäntysalo

regarding procurement where possible,

points out – but

we can predict costs and overall prof-

also the quality

itability without getting any big sur-

of their service

prises.”

“We value the proactivity of our

Chemicals around the world

suppliers – their abil-

For starch modification, Chemigate

taking care of certain things on our

needs around 20-30 different types

behalf and keeping us informed. Gener-

of chemicals. These are procured by

ally speaking, the cooperation between

Kimmo Mäntysalo, our Procurement

our procurement and supply sector is

ity to make our lives easier by

5

vice whether they buy barley starch or

the flow of materials. We can make our

ness is a relatively small one in Europe,

Chemigate’s modified starch. At the

own decisions and think more about the

close and broader partnerships can also

same time, this enables even more open

industry’s supply chain as a whole. For

develop.

and close cooperation, where we reg-

potato starch, our partners also include

Heikkinen also maintains contact

ularly discuss quality and supply is-

other Nordic suppliers,” says Heikkinen.

with the Finnish players in the industry

sues, as well as relevant news from both

The wheat starch used in produc-

through the Association for the Starch

sides.”

6

tion at Lapua and Kaipiainen is mainly

Industry. It meets a couple of times per

“Our role was also influenced by the

sourced from abroad on the basis of

year for informal discussions on general

transfer of a majority stake in Finnamyl

long-term supplier relationships. This

cultivation and legislative issues.

Oy to Chemigate and Berner Group.

cooperation is more clearly purchas-

Now we have a much better handle on

ing-focused, but since the starch busi-

Personal relationships help tamp down the turbulence

products and formulations – but there

reliably, as our order service is staffed

have been changes and convergence on

with true professionals,” Mäntysalo

the business front.

beams.

Procurement is a business in which

“There are relatively few players, and

But there are always two sides to a

the basic principles are product perfor-

nowadays our teamwork is perhaps more

deal – so what kind of buyer does Chemi-

mance, punctuality of delivery and a

focused than in the past. Together with

gate want to be in its procurement?

reasonable price. But in a restless mar-

Berner, we’ve explored various possibil-

“Our goal is to be a trustworthy and

ket situation, flexibility on both sides

ities for cooperation and have imple-

steady customer that’s easy to work

may be needed – and negotiations are

mented projects and procurement mod-

with. Any kind of hemming and hawing

increasingly influenced by personal re-

els to optimise our supply chain.”

or rash decision-making undermines

lationships.

the common basis of trust. The most

“I’ve always kept in mind that it’s

important thing is that commitments

people doing these jobs, so I want to

are handled properly on both sides,”

get to know our suppli-

Mäntysalo concludes.

ers as people. It’s always

“We want to be a part-

said that in a sale, you

ner that sticks to our

need to know whether

agreements, but at the

your negotiating partner

same time is open and

is a golfer or a yachts-

trustworthy – so that

man – but it’s also good

any issues that come up

to take things to a more personal level in a procurement relationship,” mulls Mäntysalo.

Our goal is to be a trustworthy and steady customer that’s easy to work with.

“The work of main-

don’t necessarily need to be solved through contracts. We prefer to look for fair and sensible solutions together,” says

taining a relationship is

Heikkinen.

never finished – it’s an

“The same principle

ongoing development.

also applies to the pro-

At the moment, there’s

curement of mainte-

Partnership is a two-way street

nance or cleaning services. A good ex-

ant to be able to trust your supplier and

The value of cooperation is never clearer

we started a maintenance agreement

long-term operations, where you’re not

than in uncertain times, and Mäntysalo

with at the Lapua factory in 1998. This

so focused on quick profits,” Mäntysalo

emphasises securing the entire supply

has continued for 25 years. When things

says.

chain in procurement.

continue to work and develop, we can

a lot of turbulence in quite a few of our raw materials, which is why it’s import-

Heikkinen, a 27-year veteran of the

“It’s my hope that suppliers will ac-

industry, feels that procurement has de-

tively communicate and cooperate with

veloped slowly in terms of raw materials,

us, so we can sail through the turbulence

ample is Caverion, previously YIT, who

just keep pulling on the same thread.”

of the market together into calmer waters. But we haven’t had any major problems with suppliers. Logistics also works

7

Retired Finnamyl CEO Ossi Paakki and Farming Advisor Arto Sillanpää pass the torch to Sillanpää’s successor, Marjo Valtonen, at the farmers’ event in February.

Farming support for the primary producers of starch Text: Jenga

One of the core materials for Chemigate’s production grows underground. Marjo Valtonen, who began her work as a farming advisor in January, supports Finnamyl’s contract farmers for starch potatoes.

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An essential criterion of good potato crops is their starch content.

A

grologist Marjo Valtonen initially

Each field is an individual – just like every farmer

became interested

“Upcoming themes for this agricultural cycle include this

in

specialised

spring’s seed potatoes, and how to get them growing correctly.

crops as a student.

There are a lot of variables in this equation, because each va-

Before becoming a farming advi-

riety has its own growth rhythm and nutrient requirements.

sor, she worked as a field experimen-

We experiment in different locations with new varieties. Ev-

tation researcher at the Potato Research

ery field is different, so the right solutions can only be found

Institute in Ylistaro, and as the project manager of a vertical farming initiative in the food department at Seinäjoki’s University of Applied Sciences.

through experimentation.”

Valtonen also wants to get familiar with the different fields and farmers better so she can offer even more individualised

“Now, as a farming advisor, I support Chemigate’s raw ma-

advice. Her visit in the fall will also involve organising deliv-

terial procurement by helping contract farmers produce good

ery schedules, which she’s also looking forward to. Overall,

potato crops. An essential criterion is their starch content,

she finds the entire field rewarding and inspiring.

which is one of the key elements of the process.”

“I like the variety of the job, the people-oriented approach,

Lapuan Peruna’s approximately 140 potato farmers, primar-

and the fact that I get to take advantage of my previous expe-

ily located in southern Ostrobothnia, are provided with an-

rience and skills. We’ve got a good team – we can think things

nual contracts and farming supplies – but the tightest collab-

through together with Farming Manager Kimmo Pusa and

oration comes through advisory services. Here, solutions to

Kokemäki’s Farming Advisor Jyri Sirola.”

issues like crop protection, fertilisation, weather conditions,

Farming Advisor Valtonen also spends her free time down-

and other practical issues are considered together – not to

to-earth, moving easily between specialty crops and the ani-

mention the challenges for the sector as input prices, mate-

mal kingdom: “I have two horses in the backyard that keep me

rial, and freight costs rise.

pretty busy. Horses have been part of my life for a long time –

“I’ve been surprised at how actively the farmers get in

I’ve had my own since the year 2000.”

touch with me. They’re highly skilled professionals, so advising them looks more like a collaborative discussion. At times, we talk about more than just farming – which makes for a pleasant co-operative atmosphere. However, we’re working together for the benefit of everyone,” Valtonen stresses.

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The end of humanity at the workplace?

The year is 2030. Robots and Artificial Intelligence have replaced most of us in the workplace and put everyone but a select few out of a job. Only those who had tasks impossible to automate still have a job. Humanity is coming to an end, and all of our worst fears have become reality. Skynet was child’s play compared to this. ….

Text: Martin Ekman

STOOOOOP.

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Let’s talk a little about these digital tools.

First off, Chemigate’s supply chain digitalization project Cerveza. This is a project written about in last year’s The Bridge (Go check it out, if you haven’t already!). With Tracking Cloud (the main digital tool of Project Cerveza), we are already reaping the benefits of this by automating some material reception, streamlining our order-supply chain, and creating benefits for us and our partners. Step by step, we are optimizing our resource and time usage, and hopefully making life a little easier for as many stakeholders as possible. All while making sure that we are, in fact, doing that – making things easier, instead of harder. And let’s face it, I don’t think Cerveza will ever lead to anyone being out of work.

Secondly, like every other company, Chemigate also started utilizing Microsoft Teams all the time for e-meetings when the pandemic hit. However, this also opened the door for further utilization of Microsoft Teams and SharePoint. These have tools and features that we have started using for document management, quality processes, project management, and collaboration improvement. Even if most people think of video meetings when hearing Microsoft Teams, the other features and add-ons this software has to offer are quite impressive.

The increased reliance on digital tools (that’s right, let’s continue talking about digitalization and automation for what they really are – digital tools) in the workplace also means increased risks in terms of cyber security. As more sensitive data is stored and transmitted digitally, it becomes more vulnerable to cyber attacks, data breaches, and other forms of cybercrime.

Think of it like this – More data = Bigger consequences in

G

case of a breach.

This is why, naturally, Chemigate also focuses a great deal

uys, c’mon, I know The Terminator and every other

on cyber security, with the help of some great partners. I in-

sci-fi movie fuel these kinds of ridiculous night-

terviewed Petri Perämäki, Chief Information Officer at Opsec

mares, but that is not how Digitalization, Automa-

Oy, Chemigate’s data security service provider, about current

tion, or AI work.

trends in IT and cyber security:

First of all, Artificial Intelligence will never be

“One of the trends in digitization has been to move ser-

able to replace humans. AI is just a tool, which we can use to

vices to the cloud from one’s data centers. The goal has been

make our life easier and make time for more important tasks.

to achieve cost savings and reduce the workload of the IT de-

Secondly, the definition of artificial intelligence and the

partment. It makes sense to make plans far into the future for

hype around it is changing all the time. When navigation sys-

what you want to keep on your own servers and what goes

tems (Such as Google Maps) were introduced, being able to

into the cloud, taking into account the risks and benefits.”

calculate the shortest or fastest route from point A to B was

And if you have a lot of data in the cloud, it means the cy-

considered AI. Now it’s just an everyday app on your phone.

ber security of the cloud must also be top-notch. “Let’s take

What I’m trying to say is that all these things happening are

Microsoft 365 as an example,” says Petri. “Nowadays, the user

just more and more digital tools being created or improved.

base of Microsoft 365 is enormous, and it has evolved from

Thanks to these, B2B companies can now automate and dig-

mostly a tool for emails into the likes of Microsoft Teams,

itize many of their manual processes, such as data entry and

Sharepoint, and other features. It is now a very attractive tar-

document management, reducing the time and resources they

get for cybercriminals. In addition, the identification feature

spend on administrative and repetitive tasks.

of M365 is also used for third-party applications, which is

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sends out hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of phishing emails to the employees of a company. Maybe they send this email on a Friday evening after work, with an important headline and a cry for help that this needs to be done before the weekend. This email may be written in flawless Finnish and look like it has been sent from inside the company.

One person clicks on the link in the e-mail, it then prompts for login information, and the employee attempts to log in and receives an error. “Whatever, I’ll check it on Monday,” the employee mutters. Just like that, a cybercriminal may have gotten access to loads of important information, with a whole undisturbed weekend ahead before anyone even notices.

Sure, maybe this example is a horror story to illustrate one of the worst things that can happen, but it’s uncomfortably common. That’s why Petri would like to give a couple of pointers for how companies can easily improve their data security: • Make sure all employees are aware of different data security risks, and how they can recognize them.

• If a colleague sends you a weird email, always give them a call to make sure before clicking any links.

• Use two-factor authentication.

likely to further pique the interest of criminals.”

In many companies, most employees have access to loads and loads of internal data. This gives cybercriminals a large pool of targets, where just one breach may give them access to almost everything. Let’s paint a word picture. A cybercriminal

To summarize: While digitalization and automation are powerful tools for improving business processes, they are not a replacement for human customer service and value creation. In the end, it’s the human touch that builds meaningful relationships and creates real value for customers. Digital tools can take businesses far in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and speed, but they cannot replace the empathy, creativity, and intuition that come from human interaction. To truly thrive, businesses must embrace both the power of digitalization and the importance of human connection. It’s not an either/or proposition; it’s a matter of finding the right balance between technology and humanity. By combining the best of both worlds, businesses can achieve new heights of success, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

“Kids, we know it’s exciting, but make sure you use protection!”

12

A part of this article was written with the help of another digital tool called ChatGPT, a new and revolutionary Artificial Intelligence chatbot.

ChatGPT is a computer program that can hold conversations and answer questions like a human. It has been trained on a large amount of text data, so it can understand and generate language that is similar to the way people communicate.

Images created with the Stable Diffusion text-to-image AI tool, which was fed the following prompts: Headline image: Artificial intelligence concept, Photo, Realistic, HD, Beautiful Lighting, trending on Artstation, Maya Model, Detailed Render, Landscape Images 2 and 3: Arnold Schwarzenegger as Terminator android laughing in the office with ten casually dressed women sitting and A4 paper flying in the air, potatoes, barley, CGI, Digital Art, Photo, Realistic, Dramatic, HD, Fisheye Lens, Beautiful Lighting, Dynamic Lighting, Maya Model, Detailed Render

Transport harmony calls for

a skilled conductor It’s said that stalled logistics is like a heart without an artery. In today’s world, one where the headlines change between almost every bathroom break, we at Chemigate can hardly stress the importance of reliable and flexible logistics enough. Chemigate’s longstanding transport partners are piloted by steady-handed captains – and here we’ll introduce one of them.

Text: Tuire Luomala

W

hen I worked in order service, I got to know Aapo Repo from RL-Trans. His professionalism and cool head have always been good for my blood pressure.

Aapo’s input plays an extremely important

role in the supply chain. The work of a transport coordinator isn’t to simply preside over the aimless movement of massive transport fleets, but rather to strike a perfect harmony where each note is kept in time by the coordinator’s baton.

I gave him a call and we kicked off the interview with the

Challenges?

basics. My call was answered, as always, by a calm and polite

Of course, challenges always crop up somewhere with regard

voice. I was feeling a bit nervous, as this interview was my first

to weather situations, or even changing timetables. You need

story for The Bridge. Fortunately, my nerves subsided quickly,

to keep the big picture in mind, because even a small change

and soon enough we were chatting just like old times.

can affect many different things. Sometimes we end up making decisions quickly, and the situation has to be thought

Could you tell us a little about your background?

through again.

I’m an automotive engineer by trade and worked as the man-

What makes for a good supply chain?

ager of an auto repair shop for 15 years. I wanted new challenges in my career and let me tell you – I got what I ordered.

Chemigate is a model example of how the customer relation-

I’ve now worked as a transport coordinator with RL-Trans for

ship operates in both directions. The basis of good coopera-

several years.

tion is open, honest, and energetic. And to maintain the supply chain, a lot of collaboration is required after delivery as

What do you do there?

well.

My responsibility is to coordinate transport between Europe

What do you like most about your job?

and the Nordics – in both directions – and I’m responsible for about 15 drivers. I plan the routes together with other trans-

For me, the challenge of the job is important, which in itself

port coordinators, making sure they’re energy efficient and

makes it interesting and meaningful. In a complex and some-

can take place within the agreed timeframe. It requires a lot of

times hectic position, I get to use my natural qualities – such

proactive thinking, and everyone’s expertise has to be put to

as quick logical thinking and a good ability to cope with pres-

use. My job description also includes managing relationships

sure – and a sense of humour certainly doesn’t hurt either. It’s

with both receivers and customers. We always strive to exceed

also not about trying to go it alone – it’s a team game where

customer expectations – I love to surprise the customer when

we always have a common goal. We know how to play the

they aren’t expecting it!

game together, and usually we win.

13

Tales from

integration Text: Tom Schauman

I

’ve been involved three times when a company I work for has been acquired. I’ve sat in the conference room with my name suddenly missing from the org chart – which has been unveiled for all to see by an executive from Central Europe speaking in broken English. I’ve picked my jaw up from the

floor as the new boss asks me to dream up an approach to do the same amount of work after cutting three quarters of the team.

I’ve stood by and watched people withdraw and hold back tears as months of integration have brought all meaningful work to a standstill. But I’ve also been there when the new owner’s CEO has taken it upon himself to speak with his new colleagues and spend time with those who were particularly intimidated by the change. So, when the integration of Finnamyl and Lapuan Peruna began, yes – I had experience. Both good and bad.

Finnamyl, Finland’s largest potato starch producer, alongside its subsidiaries, transferred to Chemigate – and therefore also to the Berner family – on July 1, 2022. This can be seen as a continuation of Berner Group’s growth strategy.

You can get a deeper understanding of Berner’s acquisitions and integration process by listening to the Chemigate podcast. Guest speakers include Berner’s CEO Antti Korpiniemi, among others.

14

15

When an acquisition is completed, the

the management team – developed the

life up to that point. I got to know my

clock starts to tick the moment the dig-

value of the business to the point that

new colleagues through countless meet-

ital ink starts to dry on the virtual pa-

an outside party was prepared to pay

ings where we went deep into the po-

per. At that stage, the most important

cold, hard cash for it. What Chemigate

tato starch and potato protein business

thing is to ensure continuity. In their ar-

has is more tools. The Berner Group’s

– and the surprisingly complex circular

ticle Special Leaders for Special Times –

toolbox offers ways to create synergies

economy they’ve sprouted. Getting the

published in the year 2000 – Ron Ash-

that weren’t available before. Chemi-

message to our customers was the easi-

kenas and Suzanne Francis stated that

gate, on the other hand, has the oppor-

est of all. A year ago, everything was in

the most important window of time for

tunity to expand Finnamyl’s customer

short supply at one time or another. We

successful integration is the first 100

interface. In other words, the fact that

were able to communicate that Chemi-

days after the contract is signed. It has

the factories wouldn’t be closed and that

gate had secured its potato starch avail-

to be made clear to customers, staff and

the business will continue to be devel-

ability, which was met with much relief.

suppliers (i.e., contract farmers) that the

oped was communicated as quickly as

new owner’s intentions are honourable.

possible to all stakeholders.

Crucial leaders from Finnamyl and Lapuan Peruna were transitioning into

While there are other reasons to pur-

Near the end of summer, I spoke to

retirement. This, and of course the op-

chase companies, Chemigate’s primary

more farmers than I had in my entire

erational changes that the business

reason was that we believed we could

group’s formation had caused, required

develop the business we were acquiring.

the appointment of new management

But this doesn’t mean we think we’re

and a new CEO. I can’t remember what

better than the company’s former man-

the original plan was, but it was

agement. On the contrary, the previ-

quickly put to the side when Kalle

ous owners – who were also part of

Kainu expressed interest in the job. Kalle is perfect for it. He’s possibly the best team leader I’ve ever known. He also has an interest in agriculture – which comes, if not from his genes, at least from his mother’s milk.

The role of the new business and team leader is extremely important.

Finnamyl’s outgoing CEO, Ossi Paakki, now had someone to whom he could pass that painfully elusive tacit knowledge. Now, the staff at Finnamyl and

We believe that this solution may even attract new contract farmers to join Finnamyl and Lapuan Peruna.

Lapuan Peruna had someone whose job it was to listen to them, and who had the guts to make changes. And Chemigate now had someone tasked with building bridges within the business group.

As if the task wasn’t difficult enough, the acquisition took place in the midst of the inflation connected to the war in Ukraine. As inflation hit the agricultural sector, already unprofitable, it caused a strong reaction among farmers throughout Europe. Of course, we had been warned about this before, so reaching a new price agreement was a top prior-

16

ity. Nevertheless, the message from the contract farmers was so strong that I had to take a restorative drink after the meetings on a few occasions. Sorry – I meant of course that I had to run an extra half-marathon to recover from the negotiations…like a modern business

Lessons learned the hard way

leader is expected to.

It never pays to be long-winded in the business life, but particularly not during an acquisition. Issues fight, not people. Negotiations about the value of a company create a confrontation that should be set aside as soon as the contract is signed.

But we came to an agreement on the price, just like we’ve always done before.

We believe that this solution may even attract new contract farmers to join Finnamyl and Lapuan Peruna.

Outgoing leadership must be heard. They’re experts in the field and in the company you’re buying. But the new leadership will make the decisions and take the responsibility.

The first stage of the integration has already been concluded. I’m not claiming that everything went perfectly, or that all the fires have been extinguished.

Internal struggles and partisanship have

Time is the enemy. If the company isn’t organised quickly enough and a new direction is not communicated, discontent will take root.

ruined many promising beginnings. A Harvard Business Review article from 2016 puts the failure rate between 7090 %. Among this group of failures are some real heavy hitters whose names are

You must communicate frequently and consistently. In the absence of official information, rumours fill the void. Everyone has noticed how difficult it is to combat misinformation when it’s given space to multiply.

Note: the Earth is not flat!

familiar to everyone – Microsoft, Google, etc. I hope, however, that the worst pitfalls have been avoided, and that we’ve bought some time for fine-tuning.

The near future will bring new business models to both Kokemäki and Lapua.

Change isn’t ever easy – and we’ll keep looking for ways to change our business that make it even better. In my opinion, it’s pointless to imagine that people will quickly change their conception of being from either Finnamyl, Chemigate, or Berner. I do hope, however, that this vision will be accompanied by a broader sense of community – one that doesn’t take us away from our roots.

Finnamyl Group 2021 • • • • •

Factories in Kokemäki (Satakunta) and Lapua (South Ostrobothnia) 40,000 tonnes of potato starch 175,000 tonnes of potatoes 350 contract farmers 33 people

17

“Everything was more than

we could have hoped for” Text: Annaleena Stenman

18

I

n the 2022 issue of Bridge, we wrote about a modification line being constructed in Lapua to produce a new kind of technical biopolymer in collaboration with International

Flavors & Fragrances Inc (IFF). Biodegradable polymer can be used to replace fossil-based ingredients and ingredients containing microplastics in a number of applications. In this issue, we’ll take a

apparent that the original target – a test

”In August, we were still missing the

look at the preparation of the very first

run in August – would not be achieved.

new analytical equipment we had or-

production batch and the phases of the actual test run.

First production test run in August 2022

“The installation of the equipment

dered for polymer quality assurance,”

and pipes took longer than planned. At

says Annaleena Stenman, Laboratory

the same time, our partners also had

Manager.

delays, so we all got some useful extra time,” says Aki Laine, Chief Technology Officer.

New schedule for the test run: November 2022

The blasting of the rocky plot was car-

The workers in the quality control

ried out in autumn 2021, and the con-

laboratory also breathed a sigh of relief.

The new plant was first tested in No-

struction of the foundations started in

The analytics and work instructions for

vember 2022. The test phase involved

February 2022. During the summer, the

the new product were created partly on

running water through the various pro-

walls of the plant went up in quick suc-

the basis of starch analytics and partly

cess stages as well as fixing leaks and

cession, and everything seemed to be

from scratch with the help of IFF, but

other problems as they were found. The

proceeding according to schedule. It

there was still a lot of work to be done

automation also needed some fine-tun-

wasn’t until late summer that it became

at that time.

ing to ensure that the product would

19

move through the process in the desired way.

“I placed the order by email at 15.40

Chemigate’s wishes, Hagren designed

on a Thursday. The device arrived at our

an application that could be used to pro-

The first test run with the Austrian

laboratory at 11 o’clock the next morn-

vide step-by-step instructions for the

suppliers of the evaporator was an ex-

ing,” says Annaleena, once again ex-

manufacturing process as well as to re-

citing experience for Process Engineer

pressing her gratitude to Noora Kum-

cord sampling and analysis results.

Miikka Laukkanen.

lander of Berner MedLab for her quick

“There are two ways a man can feel

service.

ability of the raw materials, which was

truly alive: bullfighting or operating an

However, the test run had to be post-

successfully integrated into the log book

evaporator with manual control,” says

poned due to challenges related to the

using existing systems. The application

Miikka, as if he can’t quite believe what

raw materials and the completion of the

supports the documentation well and

he’s done.

plant.

takes what we do to a whole new level,” Aki Laine says gratefully.

The laboratory was almost ready to

New schedule for the test run: December 2022

underway in Lapua, there were still chal-

complete. The delivery of the spectro-

As usual, we relied on our IT wizard

mas preparations drew closer, the test

photometer might even have broken

Esko Hagren to create the log book

run was postponed until early 2023. At

some kind of record.

needed for the modification. Based on

this point, Miikka Laukkanen had to re-

start production in November, as the new analytical equipment had arrived and the work instructions were almost

20

“This project emphasised the trace-

Although the project was already well lenges with the raw materials. As Christ-

new the duty rosters for the third time.

“The longest stages of the process –

new modification plant has now proven

Annaleena Stenman had an additional

filtration and evaporation – ran like a

to be fully functional. Regular produc-

challenge for production and mainte-

dream. One pump was not pumping at

tion can only start once the various par-

nance: the freezer ordered to store the

the expected capacity, and this bottle-

ties involved have completed the neces-

polymer samples was so large that it

neck had to be dealt with. In the end,

sary commissioning tests, investments

would not fit through the warehouse

however, we were ready on the day we

and product approvals,” says Aki.

door. It was decided to place the freezer

were supposed to be,” Miikka says hap-

in a temporary location in the lobby of

pily.

the new plant.

New schedule for the test run: January 2023

In the laboratory, the test run has a

Miikka says that the project was a great way to develop his professional skills:

significant impact on employment, as

“It has been a pleasure to be involved

close to a couple of hundred samples

in the production and problem-solving

are taken and dozens of samples are an-

at so many stages. We have been building so closely with

The chemical pump-

Fimpec that the proj-

ing could only be

ect has become a joint

tested at the begin-

effort where it doesn’t

ning of the test run

even matter which

week due to problems

company you work

with the control cir-

for.”

cuit. Unfortunately,

“Project Manager

even this test did not

Arto Haapanen from

go as planned.

“During the test, the volume measure-

There are two ways a man can feel truly alive: bullfighting or operating an evaporator with manual control.

Fimpec retired during the project at the end of 2022. However, he

ment of lye did not

brought the project

work, so too much

to the finish line with

lye was added to the

solid professionalism

chemical test batch.

and was still work-

The end result was far too alkaline and

alysed. Everyone is also eagerly await-

ing at full speed in Lapua even during

had to be diluted with sulphuric acid to

ing the results of the different process

his retirement coffee. The close coop-

at least make it suitable for the sewage

stages. The nitrogen determination does

eration with Fimpec will continue with

treatment plant,” says Miikka.

not go quite as expected, but there are

other projects, and even Arto might par-

Finally, the first test run day dawns.

no problems with the other analyses.

ticipate in the most interesting projects

Jani Alanen, the operator who has

Once the analyses are completed, the

after his retirement,” adds Aki.

been practising polymer modification

laboratory has only good news to report.

Even the laboratory freezer finally

the most, is on holiday in the Canary

“We were prepared to accept results

made it to its home in the warehouse

Islands. On the evening before the test

well outside the target values in the test

after a few stairs were dismantled. An-

run, Miikka is sceptical, and no one be-

run. However, the results from our own

naleena praises the coordination in es-

lieves that the tight schedule that Aki

and from IFF’s laboratories showed that

tablishing quality assurance practices:

has planned can be maintained. And

the product turned out exactly as de-

“Without the work and support of our

before the manufacturing can even be-

sired,” Annaleena says with a satisfied

colleagues at IFF, we would not have

gin, it turns out that the pessimists were

look.

been able to get the analytics done in

right: the factory has unexpectedly run

this timeframe. The reference analyses

First production batch ready: January-February 2023

between the laboratories quickly helped

the pumps, but they can be obtained by

The delay of just under five months can

also unexpectedly accommodating in

dismantling the pump that receives the

be considered a good achievement – at

terms of delivery times, which helped us

raw material, which has no further use at

least if you ask the workers of Olkiluoto.

significantly.”

this stage of the production.

After many sleepless nights and plenty

It seems that the saying “everything

However, the early setbacks do not de-

of sweating, the first-rate biopolymer is

was more than we could have hoped

lay the start of the test run by more than

ready to be dispatched via global part-

for” is appropriate here. We would like

six hours. And once up and running, the

ners to be used, for example, in the man-

to thank all our partners involved in the

production starts to run better than even

ufacturing of detergents.

project!

out of liquefied petroleum gas. In addition, two pumps break down on the first day. There are no spare parts for

the optimists could have expected.

to identify critical areas for improvement. The equipment suppliers were

“As far as Chemigate is concerned, the

21

Ten years later

Chemigate and Kyrö Distillery Company celebrated their tenth anniversary in the same year, in 2022. The timing can also be questioned for both companies – and for good reason. Chemigate had already turned 12 years old by 2022 but, due to the coronavirus, the celebrations could only be held last year. In Isokyrö, the copper stills were first switched on in early 2014, but water had already been thrown on the sauna stove at Kyrö back in 2012. This event also inspired the memorable “field running picture” to which the company will forever be linked. That image also lets us get up close and personal with the founding members.

Text: Tom Schauman

22

J

ouni Ritola, a successful serial entrepreneur and rye evangelist, the CEO of the Kyrö Distillery Company, and an old friend of mine, lounges at the bar in his Hämeenkatu, Helsinki office, looking like a caricature of a

distiller. Yes, of course there is a bar counter at the Kyrö office. Next, Jouni surprises me by offering me whisky instead of coffee. I get to sample the Kyrö Peat Smoke whisky. It hasn’t hit the shelves at Alko yet. The taste is strong but refined. Familiar rye can also be distinguished among the smoke. We’ve come a long way from barrel number nine.

I knew Jouni even before we spent the evening together after the 2014 PulPaper fair, sitting in a pop-up drinks restaurant set up by the Kyrönmaa Tourism Promotion Centre (the name was one of the first in a series of brilliant marketing campaigns that Kyrö Distillery has become known for) and tasting drinks made from rye distillate. The evening ended with an impulse buy. I bought a barrel of whisky. I wrote an article about this ninth barrel, which was produced by Kyrö, in this same magazine in 2017.

The brand Kyrö was born out of daring Although we operate in different sectors, the business models of Chemigate and Kyrö have much in common. Of course, Kyrö is in a completely different league when it comes to image marketing than Chemigate, which mainly offers B-to-B services for forestry companies. It is a pleasure to listen to Jouni talk about the company’s philosophy, summed up in the phrase “dream and dare.” From daring grew that naked ambition, with the initial aim of creating something that no one else had dared attempt. Ever since that streak in the field, making Kyrö stand out has required a large number of deliberate decisions along the way. To illustrate, Jouni mentions that, while their competitors were creating separate brands in the hope of being seen as smaller (and therefore more exclusive), they decided to bet everything on the Kyrö card. Napue Gin is nowhere to be found anymore. The card that was bet on has long since become a high value card, if not even an

23

A person delivering bulk loads to Stora Enso sometimes stops to wonder whether this really is that important if the purpose is to just taste a good drink and, in a socially acceptable way, get a little drunk. It is. If your clothes were only meant to cover private parts, shirts would be labelled Blåkläder, not Ralph Lauren.

… and then we take Berlin The Kyrö brand became even stronger when its gin won the title of the World’s Best Gin and Tonic in 2015. The distillery was working long hours, and demand exceeded supply. Going international was a logical next step. Now Jouni is no longer smiling in the same way. His speech is slower, but it is equally clear that these issues have been thoroughly worked through and that the words that come out of his mouth shouldn’t be shrugged off. Kyrö misjudged the competitiveness of the brand abroad.

“Distributors were harnessed and left to wait for orders. At the same time, investments were made in both capacity and infrastructure, perhaps too enthusiastically in retrospect.” Been there, done that, I think to myself, but I can’t bring myself to say anything. I may not have got as far as Jouni in the 12-step program for entrepreneurs. I haven’t yet made ace. But how does one build a brand

a searching and fearless moral in-

in a country where you can’t even

ventory of myself.

advertise alcohol?

In Finland, the distillers quickly One of the answers to this is

realised that the strategy had

brand community. Ever since

to be changed. Efforts were di-

the beginning, the commu-

rected at the next level. The

nity has been the lifeblood of

aim was to try to influence bar

Kyrö. I was there when the first

and restaurant owners and the

barrel owners’ meetings were or-

choices made by spirits retail

ganised. Since then, the annual

chains. In a word, the focus was

Kyröfest has become the flagship of

on the “trade” in the sector’s value

the community, with over 1,500 partici-

chain, rather than on the distributors.

pants last year. Community spirit allows the initiated to gather together with like-minded people and also helps to spread the message outside the commu-

Jouni packed up his life and moved to Chicago. The business grew, but something essential was missing.

nity. And of course, it has also created new products. In the early days, product development was carried out with stake-

Jouni calls the current strategy a “hyperlocal export strategy.”

holders. Some examples are the ‘Sirene Absinthe’ and the

Now the aim is to make an impact at a grassroots level. Natu-

‘Helsingin’, which were developed with the help of enthusi-

rally, this means that resources need to be more carefully tar-

astic professionals. Even then, Kyrö was the distiller and the

geted. Kyrö chose to focus on Berlin – and not even the whole

provider of the framework.

of Berlin, but parts of it. In Neukölln and Kreuzberg, the Brutally Finnish advertising campaign began to take effect. It was

There are little details in the Kyrö brand that tie the company

a success, and the concept was expanded. The success was

to Finland and Isokyrö. “Finnish rye is, of course, the thread

unexpectedly boosted by the coronavirus. The Kyrö Distillery

connecting it all,” says Jouni. The selection of Kyrö Dairy

had just signed a contract with Gorillas and Flink, companies

Cream for the product range back in the day is, in turn, a re-

that deliver consumer products to customers’ homes within

minder of the fact that the distillery is located in an old dairy.

thirty minutes, when the concept of ‘pantsdrunk’ was intro-

There are countless similar examples.

duced to the world. Non-Finns should absolutely google the meaning of that.

24

This year has brought about inflation, and with it, a downturn.

The above-mentioned investments in infrastructure and the need for capital due to the investment in whisky have put the screws on. “We have 1.5 million litres of whisky in stock in Isokyrö.” I am thinking that the whisky stocks must be eating up a huge amount of capital.

However, the situation at the distillery looks quite good. After all, you can’t just regard the ageing whisky in barrels as a stock of raw materials. It can just as well be seen as an investment for which financing has now been obtained. This investment will result in products such as the Peat Smoke whisky, which has already disappeared from my glass but will soon be found alongside Kyrö Malt and Kyrö Wood Smoke whiskies on the shelves of self-respecting spirits retailers. A major deal has also just been made with Finnair. Jouni chuckles like a kid at a candy store when he tells me about this.

What we believe in The memories of the early days have been gilded by time and the smoke-scented drink. While the lack of resources and the burning of a candle at both ends, bought with bank money, caused sleepless nights, they also gave clarity to the mission in life: to survive or die. The time has now come to grow up.

The Kyrö brand has built a strong position in Finland, so it has to stand for something. What are the values that both the distillers and the drinkers can stand behind? Again, we find similarities with Chemigate. Responsibility. It won’t only be recognised but taken as a positive challenge and defined so that it can be measured. For Kyrö, responsibility has always meant environmental and social responsibility.

Today, there has been a row of bottles on the desk. They are being turned over and wondered about. Packaging is a difficult thing in image marketing. Kyrö’s drinks are definitely not bottom-shelf products. Therefore, aesthetics and style matter. On the other hand, environmental responsibility places high demands on packaging. Kyrö is currently launching a new product. No other details were revealed to me, except that the bottle may contain 70% recycled glass.

The company is also going through a kind of change of generation. “We want to maintain the entrepreneurial spirit, but it should no longer be as owner-dependent.” The idea is to distribute responsibility to the capable professionals who have been hired and who have embraced the culture of the company.

I remember jumping into a taxi in Isokyrö years ago. The driver talked about the honour of being involved in the distillery the whole way home. I wasn’t at the distillery auditing that evening either, but I have to say that the social responsibility situation can’t be very bad when even the taxi drivers are praising local entrepreneurs.

25

Major events

Chemigate’s and Kyrö Distillery Company’s timeline Tarantula coating starch enters the market. A failure of the potato crop was a problem. The banks were a nuisance.

The first Chemigate representative expense is created at Smör in Turku. Later, Chemigate’s business takes off.

C

HE

MI

GA

PrimeBOND enters the market. Internationalisation strategy no. 1 Russia.

The rise and fall of the project Bora (extruder technology).

Scirocco-Scirocco dry-modification line was launched.

It rained all the time that summer. A loss-making year.

Internationalisation strategy no. 2 Asia.

TE 2010

R KY

China trade.

A spluttering, jerky cold start.

Project Evolver – customer segmentation strategy.

2011

Ö

2012

2013

2014

Learning distilling skills with rye.

Men taking a sauna and frolicking in a rye field.

Pop-up in Helsinki and commercial launch of the distillery in Isokyrö.

• Napue Gin product development.

World’s Best Gin and Tonic award

Internationalisation strategy no. 1.

for the best gin. The company’s focus shifts to gin. The company

“Let’s conquer the world.”

• Koskue Gin product development

26

• The first Long Kyrö Cranberry is released.

2015

2016

Berner becomes the owner.

An agreement with Anora for the sale of native barley starch.

The Lavender line launches.

Finnamyl and Lapuan Peruna become subsidiaries of Chemigate.

The Lavender idea is born.

2017

Co-determination negotiations. The China trade started for real.

2018

2019

2020

Shortage of everything.

War. Inflation. Loss of trade with Russia.

Covid starts to spread pandemically.

2021

2022

2023

The German conquest continues.

The first whiskies are produced. “Oh, does Kyrö also make whiskies?” Barrel no. 9 was bottled.

• Kyrö Malt Rye Whisky launch.

Internationalisation strategy no.

2. “Closer to the trade and the conquest of America!”

• Kyrö Dairy Cream is launched.

Development of Kyrö strategy 3.0 “The Kyrö brand is the umbrella.”

Financial package to support international growth.

• Kyrö Wood Smoke Whisky launch.

• Kyrö Pink Gin launch.

• Internationalisation strategy no. 3.

“Hyperlocal consumer centric – take over Berlin.”

Growth Engine Germany and UK, consumer focus in everything the company does.

• Kyrö Peat Smoke launch.

• Surprise product launch under the Kyrö brand.

27

WE’RE ALL PART OF THE SALES TEAM The skin is the largest human organ, covering the entire surface of the body. The skin protects but also transmits information about the environment through the sense of touch. Skin to skin – could there be a more intimate situation? And of course, this sensation can be either good or bad.

Text: Maisa Kantola

I 28

n business, being skin to skin often

In this case, it might be a good idea to

But does anyone benefit from the

refers to customer orientation. This

let the other party draw their boundar-

partnership, does it make economic

business philosophy emphasises

ies where they see fit for their own op-

sense, and if so, which party does it ben-

the importance of taking the cus-

erations. Roughly speaking, the bound-

efit?

tomer’s needs, wishes and expecta-

aries of customer relations can be drawn

In ordinary times (you could ask

tions into account in every aspect of the

somewhere between the two extremes

ChatGPT for a definition of this as well,

business. It seeks to ensure that a com-

of partnership and opportunism. And

but I guess it’s too hard a nut to crack

pany’s products, services and practices

to this I would immediately argue that

even for AI...), the benefits are probably

are designed to meet customer needs

there is hardly any one-off trade at

a bit harder to see. What is clear is that

and that the overall experience is pos-

Chemigate. When the customer industry

every company must, first and foremost,

itive. However, “to get under the skin”

is as well defined (narrow?) as ours, what

concern itself with its own competitive-

can also mean the opposite in everyday

goes around comes around very quickly.

ness; this is stated clearly in the Finn-

language. But does the same apply to

And this is true in both good and bad.

ish Companies Act. And that’s good – it

traditional customer-supplier relation-

Even if prices were agreed on a monthly

ensures that there will also be a partner

ships? Can you be skin to skin without

or quarterly basis, this thought is AL-

tomorrow. But I would still argue that a

feeling uncomfortable? Where is the line

WAYS in the back of your mind: “What

supplier should not forget the customer,

– or is there one?

happens after this contract period?”

not even in good times, or vice versa.

to push forward with us when the product wasn’t as finished as we thought, or has offered a helping hand when we’ve tried to understand together where the shoe pinches the tightest. I can also say from my own experience that, quite often, the customer’s worries are our worries – but we also appreciate the other’s success. Our organisation is so flat that I think every employee of Chemigate understands who ultimately pays our salaries. In the end, what is best for the customer is also what is best for us. Whatever our position, we are all part of the sales team.

We wanted to know what our long-standing customer, Sonoco’s Debra White, thought about this. Debra’s title is Senior Director, Global Category Management, Paper Products. Sonoco is a global company providing packaging solutions, hailing from South Carolina, USA. Debra’s take on the subject is clear as glass. “There is no such thing as too much interaction when it comes to strategic suppliers. A good supplier must have multiple touch points, not just purchasing.” She lists quality, operations, and development as equally important points of contact. “The supplier needs to be ingrained in the customer’s business as well as its current and future needs.”

“The supplier and customer need to drive value together. Value Because, in part, partnership is a bit like

our for us to be the one

is key, not price.”

insurance. And quite often, especially

to call when there’s an

Debra feels that

in times of crisis, the customer-sup-

emergency. And we

Chemigate has been

plier relationship is weighed up. This

feel especially good

may sound somewhat corny, but it of-

if we can be of ser-

ten seems that the warmest experiences

vice. It’s good to

of partnership and cooperation occur in

remember that this

the middle of a crisis. This is when the

is not just a ques-

importance of cooperation becomes

tion of resources, but

clear, and objectives align. When two

also requires knowl-

heads are better than one. This can also

edge and skills – not only

be considered an improvement in effi-

about knowing the back of your

ciency – when the objectives are speed

hand but also the back of your cus-

and responds well even when occasion-

and results, it’s certainly most efficient

tomer’s hand. There needs to be “just

ally both parties leave without being al-

to “be on the same page.”

enough skin to skin.” Of course, we also

together happy. Chemigate’s responses

Chemigate has always aimed at being

have good examples from recent his-

are creative and not me too type of solu-

a reliable partner. It’s a matter of hon-

tory of how a customer has continued

tions.”

The supplier and customer need to drive value together.

Value is key, not price.

successful in doing this. “Chemigate understands the cultural differences of the companies well. They have understood the needs of the American company.

Chemigate listens to the needs

29

Chemigate career chronicles Text: Tuire Luomala

Jaana – lab technician turned controller

C

hemigate wants to offer all its employees the opportunity to develop and improve their skills. Jaana Karvonen is one of the many people in our company whose career path has evolved over time. Where did she

start from and where has she ended up?

“I graduated as a laboratory technician in chem-

istry in 1995. The nineties were a time of recession, and there weren’t many jobs available. Coincidentally, an acquaintance of mine mentioned Kationi, which was once part of Raisio Chemicals. I applied for a summer job in the laboratory and was hired

by Paavo Ahonen, now retired Production Service Manager. It’s funny because my current job description includes some of Paavo’s tasks at the production interface,” says Jaana.

“In 1997, I stayed on as a permanent employee.

During Ciba and BASF, there was cross-training, and I stood in for some time in the order service. In 2010, Production Manager Harri Heikkinen offered me a position in Chemigate’s order service.”

As the years went by, Jaana’s professional skills grew, and several significant changes were implemented in the order service at her initiative. As Chemigate grew, so did the number of financial administration tasks. When additional resources were hired for the order service in 2014, Jaana was offered the opportunity to move to a more permanent role in financial administration.

“With the support of my supervisor, CFO Mika Vuokila, I have achieved a lot. We had a clear, target-oriented path that we set out to follow,” says Jaana.

In her current role, Jaana performs a wide range of different tasks as a controller. Her tasks include internal accounting, including financial and production reporting, compiling budgets and forecasts, maintaining the ERP system and supporting the order service. Her responsibilities also include various development projects, such as the Cerveza digitalisation project for the order supply chain.

Chemigate employees’ long years of service indicate that the employees are enjoying working under the green Chemigate banner. So what’s best about the job?

30

You can find more information about Cerveza within the pages of this magazine.

“I think the best things about Chemigate are definitely the colleagues and the working atmosphere. The management is ap-

Floral splendour in Jaana’s home garden.

proachable, so you can ask them for advice and you don’t need tons of courage to do it. Every employee is valued, and our contribution is appreciated,” says Jaana.

Jaana’s family includes her partner and two daughters. Jaana is also a “nana” to one wonderful furry friend. In her free time, she likes to spend her time at home and exercise.

“In winter, my number one sport is skiing in the traditional style,” says Jaana. “In summer, I’m a pallet collar gardener and grow both edible and ornamental plants. In the evenings and mornings, you can find me in the garden, wandering around and taking pictures of the flowers. A long-time dream of mine is to have a big white greenhouse built out of old windows.”

Kalle’s new tasks Kalle Kainu’s role at Chemigate changed with the acquisition of Finnamyl and Lapuan Peruna.

As if from an Easter egg, Kalle hatched out to become Finnamyl’s new CEO after Ossi Paakki retired.

But Kalle is certainly not a novice – although the description might give you that impression.

Kalle has successfully managed Chemigate’s sales department for over ten years. This jovial man from Turku is a corporate veteran with plenty of experience, skills and wisdom. We wish Kalle good luck and success in his new endeavours.

At the beginning of their career path at Chemigate

Welcome aboard!

Teija Mäkinen (Finnamyl Oy) started as Chemigate Oy’s Ledger Manager on 1 December 2022. In addition, Teija will familiarise herself with payroll tasks at Chemigate and Finnamyl in 2023.

Paula Esala (Lapuan Peruna Oy) joined Chemigate Oy as a Sales Assistant on 1 January 2023.

Chemigate’s factory in Mietoinen has hired three operators: Lauri Lintupuro for a fixed-term contract as of 1 January 2023, and Sami Sarjo and Janne Franska for a permanent contract as of 1 March 2023.

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The The different shades of customer work Compiled by: Tuire Luomala

Without customers, we here at Chemigate wouldn’t manufacture anything for our own enjoyment. In our daily life, the customer always shows up in slightly different ways – but in each, they fit perfectly into our internal processes.

- We carry out our work together with operators, operating engineers, and even production

- Making offer s, providing technical custo mer service, holding meetin gs and developing our op erations are all part of our day-to-day, customer-facin g work.

managers.

- When our order service has received the customer’s order, the foremen, production and laboratory do their best to chemically manufacture the product exactly as the customer wants it.

d - Every now an on p ho e w , then gs or Teams meetin ies to or ct travel to fa s. er m sto cu meet

- Ou r or also w der servic e or tion w ks in coo peraith th e tran agen sport cy to ensu custo re the mer r eceiv prod es th uct a e t the time. desir ed

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Coffee table poll Is there anything other than sweat and tears on your skin?

(Tattoos, piercings, scars, birthmarks, etc.?) Is there a story behind them?

Compiled by: Tuire Luomala

I have a birthmark on my left arm. A funny detail is that my late uncle had a very similar-looking and similar-sized birthmark in exactly the same place.

Nickname: Car Man

I wear a lot of make-up on my skin. Unlike most people, the older I get, the more make-up I wear. I love wearing make-up because the colours are beautiful.

I also like to paint on canvases (with acrylics), but when it comes to face make-up, I have to keep the colour palette a bit more subdued. Or at least that’s what I’ve always thought.

Nickname: Brush Hero

I had chicken pox when I was 12 years old. It was really bad, and I still have faint scars on my face. And there seems to be a scar on my wrist. However, I have a really giant scar on my side that cannot go unnoticed.

Nickname: Ravaged by the Pox

I have a scar on my left knee from an “accident” that happened when I was about eight years old. I was playing with my cousin on the floor when suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my knee, and I couldn’t bend my leg anymore. With a dead-straight leg, I went to the doctor, and they took X-rays of my knee. It turned out that there was a thin needle in my knee, which I had crawled on! The needle was removed under local anaesthetic, after which the doctor asked me if I wanted the needle as a souvenir. I did not.

Nickname: Not in a Haystack This Time

I stubbed a cigarette on my hand when I was in upper secondary school, as I didn’t have the money to get a tattoo. My boyfriend at the time did the same thing to his own hand. The scar is a permanent circular reminder of the romantic idea. And the boyfriend has turned into my husband and friend with a similar scar on his own hand.

Nickname: A Centimetre-High Blister

As a child, we usually had a lot of snow fights and serious ones. One time, my friend thought it was a good idea to use an old, rusty shovel as equipment. Long story short, the handle of the shovel was slippery, and it ended up with the whole shovel flying straight into my face, making a hole in my upper lip. It took a while before I even noticed that a lot of the snow around me had turned red, because I was so into the snow war frenzy, but hey, at least I won the snow war! And got a nice prize in the form of a small scar right under my nose

How the shovel did not break my nose, I will never know, but thank God for that.

Nickname: Snow King

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PETIT FOURS

A festive atmosphere Last spring, we celebrated Chemigate’s 10th anniversary in Hotel Tammer’s magnificent banquet hall. Everyone had such a great time!

A beach holiday at the trade fair Chemigate met its partners in a relaxed beachside atmosphere at the PulPaper fair last year. Let’s meet again at PulPaper in 2024!

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Packed rooms at farmers’ events Two farmers’ events were organised at the beginning of the year. The Kokemäki event was held at the village house, and the Lapua contract farmers’ event was held at Hotel Lakeus. The room was packed at both. In addition to the strategies of Berner and Chemigate, Finnamyl and Lapuan Peruna’s plans for the coming year were presented – and our partners were also given the opportunity to present their coming activities. Seed potato farms and machinery and equipment suppliers were among the partners present. Thanks to AVR, FinPom, Grimme, Myllymäki Peruna and Ropa.

A well-earned retirement “In case someone doesn’t know what being retired is, it means that you can do what you like in all the peace that you wish for, when you’re old enough.”

Hemulen, from the book Tales from Moominvalley (1962), Tove Jansson

Arto Sillanpää, Lapuan Peruna “This is how my time passes these days – and how coffee tastes in the forest.”

Ossi Paakki, Finnamyl Ossi’s days now consist of property maintenance with his grandchildren, as well as skiing trips.

Tauno Henttinen, Finnamyl Grandchildren are an important part of Tauno’s retirement.

“I spend the morning with my grandson Onni in the clubhouse, then in the afternoon there’s still some time to go kick sledding on Lake Köyliönjärvi.”

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The Chemigate Fitness Campaign Kuntokampanja turns 10 10 vuotta - do good for young people by being good to yourself Text: Annaleena Stenman

Chemigate’s traditional Fitness Campaign was organised this year for the 10th time. In all, 175 of our employees, customers and other stakeholders put it all on the line from 16.1-23.4.2023. As usual, the aim of the campaign was to work up a sweat at least 2.5 times per week, and just half an hour of heart rate elevation earned one point. Participants were free to complete their exercise sesions in the sport of their choice – though it’s not certain whether the Biolak Swimming Team from Kaipiainen did more than just swim with each other.

If, for some reason, the couch seemed more inviting than a jog through the mud, there was an extra carrot dangling this year.

For each employee at Chemigate, the company pledged to donate €0.50/session to the Hope Association – an organisation that supports the hobbies and leisure activities of young people in need. If they wished, other companies could contribute an amount of their choice to the charity. By the time this magazine hit the presses, the campaign had already raised over €2500 – which represents more than 5000 exercise sessions.

Once again, you’ve put your body on the line for a good cause!

You can find more information, and the final results, at https://chemigate.fi/en/fitness-campaign/.

The fresh face of the Fitness Campaign This year, the Fitness Campaign was led by marketing assistant Tuire Luomala for the first time. Tuire has worked with Chemigate in order service since 2014. At the beginning of the year, Tuire plunged into the deep end like an Olympic diver, taking on a new role in marketing. As in the traditional post-match interview: how do you feel now?

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my nearly ten years of work. It’s wonderful that the company gave me the opportunity to develop in a new role. Tom Schauman’s and Maisa Kantola’s guidance has given me the confidence to learn marketing and exchange ideas,” Tuire beams.

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Marketing and creative work has always interested Tuire. She was inspired to write in her 9th grade creative writing class.

She’s now penned several articles for this issue and will continue to be responsible for the information published on our website and in other communications. Some of her first tasks also included coordinating the Lapua office’s recent facelift, which forced her outside of her comfort zone for the first time.

Although Tuire’s own leisure time is sometimes limited due to her three children, she enjoys gardening, reading books, writing aphorisms and getting outdoors. If she didn’t work at Chemigate, she’d run her own coffee shop.

“I loved running my business school’s student café! I was often praised by other students for brewing the best coffee in the world, and I was even awarded a scholarship for making coffee.

Even these days, I like to organise delicious treats for guests visiting the company,” says Tuire.

Hopefully opening a café isn’t in the cards any time in the next few years, as we want to keep this multi-tasker at our company for a long time to come. We wish Tuire success in her new role!

The Chemigate Podcast series continues. Have you listened yet?

All episodes can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts.

The latest episodes cover topics like leadership, the Ecovadis sustainability ratings, and more.

Do you read me, over?

In Memoriam Juha Mäenpää

J

uha would have celebrated 35 years with the company this year, but much to our sorrow, a serious illness took him from us. He will be missed dearly by his colleagues, his wife Tuija, and his three adult children. His friends describe Juha as a kind and sociable person who was easy to talk to, even when the discussion had nothing to do with the daily grind.

Our sincere condolences.

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Student collaboration Chemigate always has a place in its heart for students – the new hope of our industry. The excursion to Chemigate in Mietoinen was made possible by the Åbo Akademi Kemistklubben – and Chemigate Kaipiainen’s by Aalto University’s Forest Products Guild. We also took part in Aalto and Åbo Akademi’s joint student anniversaries in Turku.

Mika

Milestones Years of service • Järvinen Jukka 35 y • Kelkka Jaakko 35 y • Kokkinen Vesa 35 y • Laitinen Lasse 35 y • Nikkari Hannu 35 y • Niemelä Anssi 35 y • Porvari Simo 35 y • Rannikko Mika 30 y

Perttu Jaakko

Birthdays • Kemppainen Perttu 50 years 11.11.2023 • Vuokila Mika 50 years 18.7.2023 • Karvonen Jaana 50 years 8.3.2023 • Komulainen Markku 60 years 23.4.2023

Jaana

Vesa

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I CAN DO IT!

Chemigate sponsors Lapua hammer thrower Sara Killinen on her journey towards her goals.

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PLANT A TREE

BY EMAIL Scan the QR code or send an email to marketing@chemigate.fi!

The starting point for a responsible business is to create as few emissions as possible. But sometimes, even if you’ve done everything you can, you still create emissions.

In this case, offsetting the emissions may be an option.

Fortunately, we have the expertise in-house.

If you want to be sure that you feel good about enjoying the content of The Bridge in its traditional form, we offer you the opportunity to offset the carbon footprint of the magazine. Anyone who has read the magazine can send an email to marketing@chemigate.fi, and we will plant a sapling in Southwest Finland. The planting will be done by our amateur agronomist Kalle Kainu, and the editor-in-chief of this magazine will go to the site to check up on it.

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