Ponsse News 1/2019, EN

ENGLISH

PONSSE CUSTOMER AND STAKEHOLDER MAGAZINE 1/2019

PONSSE NEWS D&D NILSSON AB

THE NORTHERNMOST BEAR IN SWEDEN

BEST SERVICE

IN HAPARANDA

NEW VIEREMÄ FACTORY

FLEXIBLE, SAFE AND INSPIRING

PONSSE NEWS PONSSE CUSTOMER AND STAKEHOLDER MAGAZINE PUBLISHER

Ponsse Plc Ponssentie 22, FI-74200 Vieremä, Finland EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Katja Paananen

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EDITING & CONTENT

Ponsse Plc EDITORIAL STAFF

Juho Nummela, Katja Paananen, Juha-Matti Raatikainen, Marika Ryytty, Jarmo Vidgrén, Juha Vidgrén LAYOUT

Luova Työmaa

4 NEW VIEREMÄ FACTORY

Ponsse Plc

9 SAFETY IS CARING ABOUT PEOPLE

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10 PONSSE COBRA

PAPER

GPrint ADDRESS SOURCE

12 PONSSE BISON ACTIVE FRAME 15 THE PONSSE FLAG FLIES AT A NEW FACILITY 18 PONSSE PEOPLE: JONAS SUNDIN

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22 AN ACTIVE IDEALIST BELIEVES IN PERSONAL CONTACTS

COVER PHOTO

Painotalo Seiska

22 25 NORWEGIAN LADIES CHALLENGED THE RUSSIANS 26 GEIR BRENDEN – PART OF PONSSE'S NORWEGIAN TEAM SINCE DAY ONE

GREETINGS FROM VIEREMÄ!

28 28 THE NORTHERNMOST BEAR IN SWEDEN 35 LOGGING NEWS 37 PONSSE KIDS 38 PONSSE COLLECTION

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The situation in the forest machine market has remained positive and our customers have had a good work situation in most of our market areas. The demand for PONSSE forest machines is greater than ever before.

The high level of demand means a steady workload for the factory, but it also means long delivery times for our customers. The 1.3-hectare factory extension was opened in August, at the right time considering the market situation. The new factory improves our flexibility and ability to react to our customers' machine needs more quickly. After the introductory phase in the autumn, the factory is now working efficiently. The additional manufacturing volumes are, however, very moderate because machine quality must under no circumstances suffer and we will not take any risks in that respect.

Our support services – maintenance, spare parts and training – must also keep up with the growth.

For us, 2018 was an exceptionally active period of product launches. During the year, we completed several product projects that required long-term development and testing. We launched the new flagship of our forwarder range, the PONSSE Bison Active Frame, with superior tractive force and speed especially over long transport distances. As for new products in our harvester range, we introduced the versatile PONSSE Cobra and PONSSE Fox. We broadened our loader range with the PONSSE Active Crane loader control, a long bogie option for soft terrain harvesting and the PONSSE K121 loader for our larger forwarder models. Our entire product range is now available with emission level Stage V engines.

Our product development work continues and we will keep increasing our efforts in 2019. The good market situation means that we will have to increase our efforts in order to stay at the forefront of development and keep earning our customers' trust.

In addition to developing our products and production, we are also strongly focusing on the development of our sales, service and marketing processes and organisations. We are currently investing in our service centres in Mikkeli and Vyborg and we are building new service facilities to support the growth of our Russian subsidiary in St. Petersburg. The constantly increasing need for training among machine operators and mechanics has become a key issue in most of our market areas. The development of training will, therefore, be one of our priorities in 2019.

Our aim is to offer our customers the best services in terms of both maintenance and sales. This has been one of the cornerstones of our operations ever since our company was established. It requires the right kind of attitude and our Ponsse people surely have it. We are only here for our customers.

I want to thank all of our customers and employees for 2018 and wish everyone all the best for the new year!

Jarmo Vidgrén Sales and Marketing Director

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REPORT / NEW PONSSE FACTORY

Flexible, safe and inspiring

NEW VIEREMÄ FACTORY 4

Engines and hydraulics are tested in an isolated space to ensure safety and soundproofing.

P

onsse's Production Manager Esa Penttinen says that he is “super excited” about the factory extension in Vieremä.

Production is now running in the new facilities and in a new way.

Production arrangements still require some fine tuning, but the massive project is otherwise finished and major changes have been implemented successfully.

The required modifications have been

made and the world's most modern forest machine factory is complete.

Penttinen was equally excited during the planning stage of the project. The construction work began in 2016, but a lot of work was done before the foundation stone was even laid.

“At first we didn't even know exactly what we were going to do,” Penttinen says.

However, they were very much aware of the needs that had to be met. The extensive

range of products required increased flexibility in terms of production. The aim was to improve occupational safety and wellbeing and enhance productivity. It was clear that a piece by piece extension was no longer enough as a bigger change in production was needed. Small changes simply were not sufficient and new solutions were explored with an open mind.

Previously Ponsse had done smaller factory extensions, little by little. Over

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REPORT / NEW PONSSE FACTORY

The aim was to ensure smooth and flexible production as well as occupational safety and well-being while improving productivity. The guiding principle was that quality would under no circumstances be compromised, says Production Manager Esa Penttinen.

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the years, the factory building has been extended in many directions, 15 times altogether. At the heart of the current buildings, there is still the tiny 300 square metre facility that was built by the municipality of Vieremä for machine entrepreneur Einari Vidgrén in 1970. It is where it all began and around which not only the factory but also the Ponsse spirit has been built.

“We considered numerous solutions and brainstormed ideas. We examined different perspectives to see what works and what doesn't work,” Penttinen explains.

The aim was to ensure smooth and flexible production as well as occupational safety and well-being while improving productivity. The guiding principle was that quality would under no circumstances be compromised. Even if the way of doing things changes, product quality must remain high.

The personnel were committed to the change as they were given the opportunity to plan and organise their own workstations.

Virtual modelling was also utilised during the design phase. Virtual testing of ideas helped see which ideas worked. Virtual

modelling was also helpful in improving the safety and ergonomics of the workstations.

PRODUCTION WAS RUNNING THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT

The factory extension was inaugurated in August. The construction project and the introduction of the new production line was carried out while production was running as usual. The only break took place during the employees' summer holidays, which is when the finishing touches were put to the production lines. There was extra excitement in the air when the employees returned to work as they got to see their new workstations and the changes in the assembly line.

The factory extension is a lot more than just the increased floor area and the walls being further away from each other. The work phases and shape of the assembly line changed and the number of line locations increased. Frame structures, cabins and cranes move from the side lines to the main line. Harvester heads are manufactured on a separate line that runs parallel to the end of the main line.

The amount of testing and quality control increased considerably. Each side line ends in testing where the manufactured structures

are tested before moving on to the main line.

The main line also ends in testing. Engines and hydraulics are tested in an isolated space to ensure safety and soundproofing.

When a machine is driven out the factory doors and into the delivery equipment centre, it is not yet ready to face the world. Ponsse's lowbeds carry the machines to a test logging site where the machines undergo final testing in a forest environment. Forwarders are also partly tested on a test track.

EFFICIENT WAREHOUSE AUTOMATION THROUGH OPTIMISATION

The factory's internal logistics went through a massive change as part of the extension with the introduction of the new automated warehouse. The warehouse automation drew inspiration from car manufacturing and the food industry. The warehouse automation covers 15,500 storage slots for small items and components as well as 3,900 pallet positions. Grey boxes move swiftly between the shelves as the parts needed at different workstations throughout the assembly line are automatically collected from the warehouse. The parts are then transported to each workstation using a “wheeled train”.

Esa Penttinen explains that the benefits of the new warehouse technology are maximised by optimising the location of each part on the shelves. The most frequently used parts and accessories are closer and the ones needed less often can be a little further away.

Placed next to the main assembly line, the automated warehouse is 70 metres long.

There is more storage space than one can even see because the warehouse is on two levels. The lower floor is used for storing, for example, engines and tyres. There is a separate tyre preparation line where tyres are pressurised and, if necessary, filled with liquid depending on the machine.

A lift is used to move the tyres upstairs to the assembly line where they are installed on the machines in accordance with the customers' wishes.

Truck drivers delivering goods to the factory surely appreciate the fact that they can unload their vehicles indoors. Inside the terminal, unloading is not affected by rain or snow. In addition to comfort, this solution also improves safety as the risk of slipping is reduced.

Harvester heads are manufactured on a separate line that runs parallel to the end of the main line. Each production line ends in testing, ensuring that all structures are tested before they move on to the main line.

The factory's internal logistics went through a massive change as part of the extension. The new automated warehouse was taken into use with inspiration drawn from car manufacturing and the food industry. Warehouse automation covers 15,500 storage slots for small items and components and 3,900 pallet positions.

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REPORT / NEW PONSSE FACTORY

NEW PONSSE FACTORY

• Factory extension took place 2016-2018 • Extension area 1.3 hectares, total factory area 4 hectares • Investment value EUR 37 million

Production Manager Esa Penttinen and the factory's Quality Manager Tuomas Pasma tell that all employees are responsible for developing the factory. Development ideas for improving daily operations and occupational safety are implemented immediately through the practices of continuous improvement.

NEW PONSSE FACTORY

• Factory extension took place 20162018 • Extension area 1.3 hectares, total factory area 4 hectares • Investment value EUR 37 million

The project also strongly focused on the Ponsse employees' occupational well-being and safety as well as workstation ergonomics.

NEW TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The extension project brought a great deal of new technology to the factory. The trolley system on the assembly line was upgraded. The trolleys carry the machines from one workstation to the next and they get power from the floor.

The technology is similar to that used in induction cooktops.

The power supply for the new trolleys does not require as much maintenance as the old battery-powered trolleys. The new system also makes it possible to monitor the location of a specific trolley in real time.

Particular attention was paid to the energy efficiency of the new facilities. There is a solar power station on the roof of the factory with 640 solar panels covering an area of 2,000 square metres. The system has a capacity of 192 kWp, which is equivalent to the annual electricity needs of 100 homes.

The factory is well lit with energy-efficient LED lights. Also, the braking energy from the warehouse automation system

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is recovered. The factory roof itself also produces energy savings, thanks to the right choice of material. The Noxite roofing material does not only remove harmful nitrogen oxides, produced by traffic and industrial processes, from the air together with the sun, wind and rainwater, it also reduces the need for cooling in the summertime, which also saves energy.

PONSSE ALSO WANTS TO PRODUCE HEALTHY RETIREES

Occupational safety and well-being have been an important guiding principle throughout the extension project. It has been an old truth that metal workers do not retire healthy.

This was one of the challenges tackled through this project as Ponsse is a company where people traditionally have long careers. Therefore, the project also strongly focused on the Ponsse employees' occupational well-being and safety as well as workstation ergonomics.

SAFETY

S

is caring about people

“Management teams and supervisors have to understand tora Enso's Safety Manager Kari Kellokoski practises the importance of occupational safety as part of leadership, what he preaches. He will not start his car before supervisory work and business. Managers have to be committed everyone has fastened their seatbelts. In his free time, and show their commitment to the personnel and contractual he may on purpose not have his phone with him in partners to get them involved. Safety must be managed every order to relax. When he talks, it is obvious that he day to maintain credibility. You have to practise what you preach. cares about people.

Safety is based on everyone's participation and small actions.

“Safety is about being responsible and caring Everything cannot be done at once.” about people. It is part of professional “When this is done successfully, occupational competence to be able to identify safety safety shows as efficient, smooth and productive risks and be proactive to ensure that work,” Kari Kellokoski says. operations run smoothly. You have to Changing practices and especially accept the fact that people's behaviour people's way of thinking is a slow process. varies and that the conditions play a “The best moments in my work are role,” Kellokoski says. those when I see that someone has realised Kari Kellokoski's first experience the importance of occupational safety. The of safety issues was tragic. In 1971, work done is not a waste of effort. It gives when he was just 7 years old, he was me motivation. Active feedback to motivate involved in a level crossing accident others is an absolute requirement in order in Kannonkoski, losing six of his to bring about a change in both attitudes and school friends. A minibus, transporting safety behaviour.” schoolchildren, collided with a rail service Occupational safety in forest environments has vehicle on the Jyväskylä-Haapajärvi line. also improved in leaps and bounds since the 1990s.

Only four of the ten people on the bus Dangerous logging work has been mechanised survived.

Active feedback to motivate “I remember the accident every week others is an absolute requirement and safety systems have improved the safety of machine operators. Loggers' work has changed and when I read the news. Accidents always in order to bring about a change heavy logging has been largely replaced by forest make me wonder why they happened, in both attitudes and safety management. They have gone from being paid per what should have been done and what behaviour. job to time-based wages. needs to be done to avoid them.”

“I looked at our statistics from the 1970s.

The traditional safety approach There were over 2,000 loggers and they had 2,500 accidents each focuses on preventing accidents, eliminating risks, failures, year and dozens per week in the wintertime. It would not be mistakes and the causes thereof. People are often seen as a source acceptable today.” of mistakes and as a risk factor. Occupational safety is perceived The burden of forest work has also changed. Machine as regulations and instructions from above and they just have to operators and others work largely in a seated position and be followed. are mentally burdened by tight schedules and efficiency requirements.

SAFETY IS BASED ON EVERYONE'S PARTICIPATION “It is important to take care of your physical well-being.

The new safety approach sees people as an opportunity and safety You have to take time to recover from work and make sure you as part of responsible operations created and maintained by all don't burn yourself out. It is so sad to see someone's career end of us. For a company, safety is a way of doing things, part of the because of an excessive burden and burnout.” business and even a competitive factor.

Again, Kari Kellokoski practises what he preaches. He recovers “Nobody wants to work in a company that is not run safely.” from hectic work days by golfing, cycling and watching sports, for Safety is generated through involvement and especially through which his hometown of Joensuu offers good opportunities. And leadership. The creation of proactive, responsible and safe practices he doesn't mind leaving his phone at home in his free time. starts from the management, through its will and support.

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INNOVATIONS / PONSSE COBRA & PONSSE BISON

PONSSE COBRA A multi-talented machine

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The new PONSSE Cobra is a versatile and efficient harvester for varying conditions. Launched in the autumn of 2018, the Cobra is an adaptable all-round harvester with eight wheels and thanks to the extensive range of equipment, it is suitable for various cutting and working methods.

T

hanks to its reliable basic solutions, the Cobra is a durable and fuel-efficient machine. The accurate and easy-to-use crane, good balance and powerful six-cylinder engine make the Cobra an economical solution for varying conditions.

The world's first PONSSE Cobra was delivered to Kalevi Määttä Oy in Kuhmo at the beginning of September 2018.

“Based on our initial experiences, the new Cobra has fulfilled its promises. It is powerful, yet surprisingly fuel-efficient. The single-circuit hydraulic system has proven to be a good solution in terms of maintenance and it is suitable for our work sites. The machine still needs to be powerful, so the six-cylinder engine is necessary,” says entrepreneur Jouko Määttä.

The PONSSE Cobra's large tyre size, long hub distance and good weight distribution ensure a low surface pressure, enabling

work on soft terrain. Thanks to the 26.5” tyres and the 1,500 mm hub distance, the machine is stable and offers a good ground clearance. The Cobra's efficiency is based on the large 210 cm3 working pump and powerful six-cylinder engine. The powerful crane is equipped with two slewing motors and is available with a maximum reach of 11 metres, depending on the harvester head.

These features together ensure a level of power that makes work easier in demanding conditions and also enables efficiency at thinning sites.

Depending on the working conditions, the Cobra can be equipped with a C5 sliding boom crane or a C44+ parallel crane and with a wide range of harvester heads from the H5 for thinning to the robust H7 for regeneration felling. The range of harvester heads also includes the H7 Euca and H77 Euca harvester heads for debarking.

PONSSE COBRA

• Tyres: 26.5” • Tractive force: 195 kN • Power: 210 kW; Torque: 1,200 Nm (Stage V) • Working pump: 210 cm3 • Crane: C44+ parallel crane or C5 sliding boom crane with two slewing motors • Maximum reach: 10-11 metres (C5: 10 m; C44+: 11 m) • Maximum lifting moment: 250 kNm

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INNOVATIONS / PONSSE COBRA & PONSSE BISON

PONSSE BISON

ACTIVE FRAME

The flagship of the forwarder range

PONSSE BISON ACTIVE FRAME

• Fast and efficient – high productivity • High tractive force – excellent traction even on difficult terrain • Unique PONSSE Active Frame cabin suspension system • Load capacity 16 tonnes • Excellent work environment for the operator

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Ponsse launched the PONSSE Bison Active Frame at the FinnMETKO trade fair in the autumn of 2018. The main strengths of the new forwarder model are its speed and efficiency. The continuously variable transmission and the Active Frame cabin suspension system raise productivity to a new level, especially over long transport distances.

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he PONSSE Bison Active Frame demonstrates its speed especially over long transport distances. The new continuously variable transmission (CVT) always balances the driving speed and engine load, ensuring low fuel consumption and high productivity. In addition to fuel efficiency, the benefits of the powertrain include high tractive force and stepless transmission – work doesn't have to stop when changing the driving speed.

The PONSSE Bison is equipped with the PONSSE Active Frame cabin suspension system. The system has a simple and functional structure, dampening any lateral movement affecting the operator effectively and unnoticeably. The Active Frame allows the operator to stay alert and productive hour after hour, even at high speeds. The large load space combined with the powerful and easy-to-use loader ensure efficient load handling at all work sites.

CVT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREST MACHINES

The transmission of the PONSSE Bison Active Frame is

based on CVT technology. Product Manager Juha Haverinen, who is responsible for forwarders at Ponsse, tells that the experiences have been good.

“Thanks to the CVT, driving speed can be increased considerably if the situation permits. This is especially useful over long transport distances.”

The CVT includes stepless changing of gear ratios and thus the traditional switching between slow and fast gear is no longer necessary. The operator can drive at any speed without having to stop, depending on the driving conditions. In a machine with CVT, the traditional hydrostatic transmission can be replaced with a separate CVT gear system. This enables lower fuel consumption as well as a higher tractive force, the benefits of which become obvious when driving on steep hills, soft terrain or in deep snow.

CVT systems are based on a very robust technology.

They have been previously used, for example, in large earthmoving machines, so there is plenty of experience in demanding conditions. Ponsse is the only forest machine manufacturer to offer CVT in forest machines.

PONSSE ACTIVE CRANE FOR SMOOTH LOADER CONTROL The PONSSE Active Crane offers a new way of controlling the loader and boosting efficiency. It is a system that the operator uses to control the grapple movement instead of individual functions, allowing the operator to concentrate efficiently on loader work.

The Active Crane is easily controlled using two levers, one of which controls the grapple height from the ground and the other controls the direction of movement. What is essential is that the operator does not need to control all the functions simultaneously.

The operator just needs to specify the desired grapple location and the system will automatically perform the lifting, folding and extending. The operator can

easily switch between using the Active Crane and conventional loader control with a push of a button.

The Active Crane is based on the Sensor Module technology that has been thoroughly tested in field conditions. Similar technology has been used for years in the PONSSE Scorpion levelling system and the PONSSE Active Frame cabin suspension system.

The tried and tested technology ensures the utmost reliability and easy serviceability of the Active Crane.

The Active Crane is available for PONSSE forwarders equipped with a K90+, K100+ or K121 loader.

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SERVICE / HAPARANDA & ÖRNSKÖLDSVIK

Both Swedish and Finnish customers are served in Haparanda. In the picture, sales rep Jan Förare, service technicians Peter Kitti and Magnus Kitti together with Mikael Forlund who is in charge of operations in Haparanda.

The Ponsse flag flies at a new facility Which flag would be the best choice in a town located right on the border between Finland and Sweden? For Jan Förare, Peter Kitti, Magnus Kitti and Mikael Forlund the answer is obvious: one with the Ponsse colours, of course, because the Haparanda service centre has just moved into a bigger facility.

P

onsse began operating in Haparanda, Sweden, in 1989 when AN Maskinteknik started as Ponsse’s first local dealer. As a result of a business transaction in the summer of 2015, the Haparanda operations were transferred to Ponsse AB. As the number of machines increased on both sides of the border, there was a need for bigger and more practical facilities for maintenance and spare parts services. When the right facility was found, Ponsse made things happen.

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“This turned out really good,” says Mikael Forlund who is in charge of the operations in Haparanda. He seems very satisfied as he picks products for an order at the new warehouse.

Mikael sees it as a major advantage that the Haparanda service centre works in close cooperation with Ponsse's central warehouse in Finland with regard to spare parts.

Therefore, the availability of spare parts is very good.

“We have a very extensive selection of parts on our shelves, but help is not far away if we need something.”

MACHINE ENTHUSIASTS

Magnus has had his own repair shop but he has also worked as a vocational school teacher, specialising in vehicle engineering.

“When I joined Ponsse, I had to go back to school myself,” Magnus says.

There is no doubt that there are enthusiastic machine guys working at the Haparanda service centre. Mikael started his career as a mechanic, then moved on to support functions and later to sales. Two years ago, he switched from selling agricultural tractors to being the head of Ponsse's service centre in Haparanda. He KEEPING IN CONTACT spends his free time with old American cars, especially Machine sales representative Jan Förare lives in Chevrolets. The interest in machines runs in the family Haparanda, so he is in contact with the service centre as his brother Peter builds and tunes engines in his own almost daily. His sales area is mainly the Norrbotten company. county, but it reaches down to Skellefteå where Pontus Mikael has many reasons to be happy about getting Bergqvist works as a service technician. He also often pops a job at Ponsse. “Since day one, I have felt that everyone into ML Maskinservice AB, a repair shop located in Byske, here is equally important and everyone helps each other to thirty kilometres from Skellefteå. do their best for the customers. Besides, I live very close to Jan strives to keep in contact with both current and Haparanda,” Mikael says. He enjoys the industry and gets potential customers. along with people well.

“I want to make sure that everything is going well Cousins Magnus and Peter Kitti with people, machines and are the local service technicians. companies. The customers They mainly work in the field, but within this industry are honest occasionally they spend longer and outspoken so they usually periods of time at the workshop. tell me immediately if something Peter has 15 years of experience needs to be improved. This is working with PONSSE machines, very useful because it helps us to Since day one, I have felt that while Magnus started in May. improve.” everyone here is equally important and everyone helps each other to do their best for the customers.

There are numerous products on the shelves and Mikael Forlund, together with his colleagues, has to find a place for each one at the new service centre.

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SERVICE / HAPARANDA & ÖRNSKÖLDSVIK

Magnus Kitti is used to alternating between theory and practice. Before joining the Ponsse team, he worked as a vocational school teacher and ran his own repair shop.

ALWAYS MORE TO LEARN

The customers within this industry are honest and outspoken so they usually tell me immediately if something needs to be improved.

This is very useful because it helps us to improve.

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Jan has worked with the yellow machines since 2012. For the first year he worked for Ponsse's dealer AN Maskinteknik AB. “My days are varied. I meet a lot of people and there is always something new to learn about machines and the industry.”

Another person working in the area is Tomas Pettersson who is one of Ponsse's product technicians and trainers. Just like Jan and Peter, Tomas also previously worked at AN Maskinteknik. He works from Kalix, located 50 kilometres west of Haparanda. Tomas offers operator training as well as technical support to customers, sales staff and mechanics.

“The best thing about my job is solving a variety of big and small problems.

I also adjust the customers' machines to meet their needs. There are numerous options and I am happy to help a customer find the right solution,” he says.

Ponsse's efforts in Haparanda have strengthened the brand's position in the northern parts of Sweden. This is a good starting point for keeping the flag flying, whether dealing with support, servicing, spare parts or sales.

Per and Dennis provide Ponsse service in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden “They take care of the machines as if they were their own.” This is what Didrik and Dennis Nilsson, owners of PONSSE machines, say about the Örnsköldsvik field mechanics. Behind this dedication are Per Andersson and Dennis Viberg who have extensive experience of and a keen interest in forest machines.

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er Andersson and Dennis Viberg have had very similar career paths. They both studied in the vehicle and transport programme at the Örnsköldsvik vocational school and specialised in trucks and mobile machinery. Since then they have worked with forest machines. Per started at Ponsse in Örnsköldsvik in 2011 and Dennis joined Ponsse at the end of July in 2018.

“We know how expensive it is to have machines standing idle and we always do our best to get the machines back to working order,” says Per. Maintenance and repair work mainly takes place in the field. The Örnsköldsvik service centre does, however, play a key role as a repair shop and spare parts warehouse.

Ponsse moved into the facility at the end of 2016 and the aim is to soon extend the space under the same roof.

The selection of spare parts in the warehouse is constantly being adjusted in accordance with the local machines.

“When a new Ponsse machine arrives in the area, we discuss together with our colleagues which spare parts are needed in the warehouse. We do get parts here quickly, but when we have them on our shelves, we can help our customers even more quickly,” Per says.

Dennis and Per enjoy the forest machine industry, meetings with customers and the work-related challenges. “This is a free job and there is always something new to learn. It's important to do our work in a systematic way and to do one thing

at a time. We cannot take shortcuts, we just have to focus on getting the machines back to work quickly and safely,” Dennis says.

The two men’s interest in the forest also extends into their own free time.

Dennis is an avid hunter and especially hunts elk. Per grew up on a farm that also included forest land. The farm is now run by his brother, but Per still lives in the middle of the forest. In his spare time, he enjoys enduro racing.

“I do it for fun, just to stay fit, but it's obvious that I could make it all the way to the top,” Per laughs.

The happy Ponsse team in Örnsköldsvik. Sales rep Jonas Sundin together with Dennis Viberg and Per Andersson.

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SERVICE / HAPARANDA & ÖRNSKÖLDSVIK

Jonas Sundin, machine salesman in the Västernorrland and Västerbotten counties in Sweden:

“FORESTRY PEOPLE HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF STRENGTH”

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Jonas Sundin's home is a family farm in Ångermanland. He is an active forest owner who is very interested in both people and technology.

Therefore, his job as a Ponsse salesman is perfect for him. In his work, he meets forestry contractors, forest machine operators and other forestry people.

J

onas Sundin started his work as a salesman at Ponsse AB, Ponsse's Swedish subsidiary, at the beginning of 2018. He tells that he ended up in the industry the wrong way around – with the trailer first.

“In my previous job I mainly sold trailers for log trucks. So in a way I have moved backwards in the value chain.

However, I see it more as a major leap forward,” he says with a big smile on his face.

“It's a privilege to meet people who are interested in the same things as I am and to be able to help them do their work as well as possible. Forest machine contractors know their stuff and they have high standards, whether it is to do with quality, ergonomics or productivity.

Their expertise is very wide-ranging.

They know what matters in terms of results, both work results and financial performance,” Jonas says.

In his previous job, Jonas travelled all over Sweden. Now his trips are shorter.

“I am especially happy that the old family farm in Skorped became a good place to live”.

Jonas has loved forests ever since he was young and he enjoys being actively involved in the forestry sector. When not working, he often spends time in the forest, either on foot or on an ATV.

“I am very interested in technology, so it would be difficult to think of anything more fun than forest machines. They are a combination of structural solutions, engines, hydraulics and electronics.”

Jonas Sundin wants to serve his customers with the same level of dedication and persistence as they run their businesses. Most of the customers are small business owners, usually with a maximum of two forest machines, sometimes more.

“The livelihood of entire families depends on how everything works.

The basic requirement, of course, is that there is work. However, machine performance, support services, spare parts and maintenance are also important. It’s always nice to be able to sell a customer their first forest machine.

It's even better to sell the second and third machine because they are proof that it all works.”

Jonas feels that the entire Ponsse organisation supports him as he meets his customers.

“The company spirit is that we are here for and because of our customers.

This spirit and our solid product range are major assets every time we meet a customer,” says Jonas Sundin.

The company spirit is that we are here for and because of our customers. This spirit and our solid product range are major assets every time we meet a customer.

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PONSSE NETWORK / NORWAY

An active idealist believes in

PERSONAL CONTACTS

Atle Rønning's 45-year career in harvesting deserves to be told, but so do his values.

Rønning began as a forest worker at the age of 15 and this year he will turn 60.

Major changes have occurred in forest work over the decades. Manual work has been replaced by five forest machines operated by two operator teams.

I

have two harvesters and three forwarders – all yellow,” says Atle Rønning who operates the Vestfoldbased company Atle Rønning Maskin which has six employees, including himself. He has seen the development from a tractor and a winch to agricultural tractors equipped with log trailers and finally to the first forest machines.

“A skidder with articulated steering is the only machine I haven't had,” he says.

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When asked about the first machine he bought, he thinks for a moment and then answers that it must have been about 23 years ago.

“First I bought a used machine and set up a logging team. I bought my first PONSSE machine a few years later after Ponsse had established a company in Norway. I already knew Lyder Ellevold and when he was appointed Managing Director of Ponsse AS, I began to keep an eye on these machines,” he says.

Over the years he has had a few machines from other brands. They have been used machines bought for a specific purpose such as thinning.

Whenever buying new machines, he has always selected Ponsse. Now that he is familiar with both the machines and their equipment, he doesn't see any reason to switch to another brand.

PERSONAL CONTACT MATTERS

“Economists say that people should regularly change their bank, insurance

It's important to be able to get by on very little. It's gives just as much pleasure as living the good life and not having to work for anything.

company and electricity supplier. They say that it makes sense. It's not my cup of tea. I want to know the people I deal with and stay with the same companies as a customer,” Atle says. He feels the same way about Ponsse.

“When I call the company, I know the other person by their first name. That's what I like,” he says.

I visit Kongsvinger a few times a year.

“Moving parts do occasionally break,” Atle says and emphasises that it's not always the machine's fault as it can just as well be caused by the user. In these situations it's good to know the people at the office as well as the service staff coming to my location.

“We also do a lot of service work ourselves, so that's another reason to stick to one brand. We know the machines well,” he says.

“I don't know other manufacturers as well as I know Ponsse, so I'm not saying that they are not good. I just don't know. All I know is that I am very happy with Ponsse and the way the company takes us customers into consideration. I admire Einari Vidgrén who established Ponsse nearly 50 years ago. He started this when I was a little boy and look at the company now! Customers are seen as family members and this creates a feeling of togetherness that I haven't experienced anywhere else. My enthusiasm has also rubbed off on the guys in my company. I try to give everyone an opportunity to visit the Vieremä factory and the Ponsse Club,” Atle says.

THE APPLE DOESN'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE

Atle Rønning's life has followed a predetermined path. He grew up on a farm and everyone expected him to take over one day.

“Back then it was not acceptable to say no to your parents,” he says. The farm is ideally located between Tønsberg and Åsgårdstrand with a view to the Oslo Fjord. The forests were handed over to Esso's Slagentangen refinery through expropriation and Atle was just left with a slope covered by deciduous trees. Every year he clears trees from the forest to have enough wood for heating the farm. In addition to agriculture, he also does lime transportation for Miljøkalk.

“I do this work in the spring and summer when the conditions are not the best for forest work,” he says. He is also involved in various forest management organisations and the Red Cross voluntary rescue service. He really is an active man.

A CHALLENGING PROPERTY STRUCTURE

When asked about the biggest challenges as a forestry entrepreneur, Atle Rønning answers that it is definitely the structure of forest properties. The properties are often small and they are not that important to the owners in financial terms. Therefore, they are often poorly managed and not much effort is put into the planning of logging.

“When we are at a site, we try to encourage the neighbours to do logging as well so there would be more timber.

In the construction industry they charge for driving between locations and setting

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PONSSE NETWORK / NORWAY

up a site, but this is not possible in forestry. Our work is based on a price per cubic metre. Due to the structure of forest properties, we are not able to produce enough wood per machine operating hour,” he says and adds that no one will make a fortune doing this job.

“We are, however, idealists and work hard for our money,” he says.

“It's important to be able to get by on very little. It's gives just as much pleasure as living the good life and not having to work for anything.”

RECRUITING FOR THE FUTURE

Atle has four grown children and the youngest is going to follow in his father's footsteps – without any pressuring or persuasion by the parents. He is currently doing an apprenticeship at another company to become a mechanic.

“It is important to work somewhere else too,” Atle says, but adds that his

son is also happy to help with the servicing of his father's machines.

Atle also has an apprentice working for his company. He believes that it is important to consider the recruitment opportunities and his goal is for the company to always have an apprentice. Atle serves as the head of the Vestfold qualification board and as a board member of MEF's training office OKAB. Therefore, someone else from a neighbouring county has to be invited to assess his apprentice during the qualification test.

“Today it is not enough to have experience, a diploma is an invaluable asset for the future,” he says. He then adds that the future seems exciting.

“It is fascinating to see all the new wooden products developed these days. The level of optimism and enthusiasm for forestry seems to be on the increase,” he says.

Customers are seen as family members and this creates a feeling of togetherness that I haven't experienced anywhere else.

FORESTRY IN NORWAY

• Norway covers an area of 323,779 km2, excluding Svalbard and

• There are approx. 127,500 forest properties in Norway and

Jan Mayen. 122,100 km2 is covered by forests, i.e. approx. 38%.

120,000 of them are privately owned. 38% of the forest properties

68% (83,000 km2) is forestry land.

have less than 100 hectares of productive forest area. The average forest area per property is under 55 hectares.

• A total of 859 million cubic metres of trees in forestry land: 47% spruce, 29% pine and 24% deciduous trees.

• Almost all forest properties that have been managed after the year 2000 have a PEFC certification. There are currently 40,000 of

• The annual growth is over 23 million cubic metres. 56% of the

these properties and they cover a total area of 7.3 million hectares,

growth is spruce, 22% pine and 22 % deciduous.

of which 6 million hectares is productive. Approx. 100 properties are

• Due to road and terrain conditions, 11% of the forestry land area is

double-certified, i.e. they have both PEFC and FSC certifications.

such that a cable car is needed for harvesting. 5% of the forestry land is categorised as unusable areas.

• 27% of the forestry land is located over one kilometre from interim

These properties have a forest area of 0.44 million hectares.

• 4.6% of Norway's forests are located in protected areas where forestry is not permitted. In addition, the forest owners'

timber storage locations.

environmental certification requires the protection of key biotopes.

• In 2017, a record-breaking 10.5 million cubic metres of timber was harvested in Norway to be sold. In 2018, the volume was expected to be the same or greater.

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Source: Landsskogtakseringen, NIBIO and Statistics Norway

(Statistisk sentralbyrå)

NORWEGIAN LADIES CHALLENGED THE RUSSIANS

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n August 2018, the Logger of the Century competition (Lesorub XXI veka) was held in Arkhangelsk, Russia.

The Norwegian team stood out among the competitors as it was composed of three female forest machine operators.

Magdalene Mathiesen, who is working at Nortømmer as an apprentice, heard from an acquaintance that the Russian logger competition was looking for international participants and especially female forestry workers.

Magdalene convinced Synne Henriksen to come with her and she then asked Ragnhild Bryhn to join them. Now they had a team.

The three women asked Ponsse to sponsor them in the form of competition clothing. However, soon they found out that they didn't have funding for the trip and they would have to cancel their participation. The disappointed trio contacted Ponsse again in order to tell about the cancellation. At Ponsse AS they thought it was a shame. An agreement was made with the women's employers (Viken, Mjøsen and Nortømmer) so that the forestry companies and Ponsse would together fund the trip.

THREE EVENTS

Once in Arkhangelsk, the women noticed that they were the only women among the 300 participants. Most of the teams were Russian. The ladies took part in three events where they had to operate a harvester, a forwarder and a truck-mounted crane.

Synne Henriksen took part in the forwarder competition with a PONSSE Buffalo. Henriksen is a machine operator at Ringerike Skogsdrift AS and she is used to Ponsse's forest machines.

Ragnhild Bryhn also had experience using Ponsse's forwarders, but she works with a John Deere harvester at Ole Bertil Reistad in Lillehammer. In the competition she used a PONSSE Ergo and she only had a short time to familiarise herself with the controls.

“Before the trip I had a chance to practise with an Ergo at a company in Gausdal and I got to try the competition machine before the actual competition,” she explains.

Magdalene was the one who was most like a fish out of water. Her vehicle was a truck-mounted crane and she has never operated one before. It was an

old-style truck without a crane cabin.

She was not familiar with the pedals or controls at all.

“The local Ponsse workers were very helpful and organised it so that I could practise for ten minutes before the competition. Then I just had to go for it,” she says.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

The team has no idea about their placing in the competition.

“The lists on the Russian website were not exactly easy to understand.

At least we were not last,” Synne Henriksen laughs. “We definitely got a lot of attention.”

“This would not have happened without Ponsse AS's involvement.

The Ponsse people in Russia were with us from arrival until we left and the Finnish Ponsse employees we met constantly kept us informed as to what was going on. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. We are super grateful for all the financial and practical assistance,” the ladies say.

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PONSSE PEOPLE / GEIR BRENDEN

GEIR BRENDEN – PART OF PONSSE'S NORWEGIAN TEAM SINCE DAY ONE

“I SURELY HAVE WORKED LONG HOURS!” Geir Brenden has worked for Ponsse's Norwegian subsidiary Ponsse AS ever since the beginning, actually a little longer. For years, he was the company's only service worker. His days were long and he travelled a lot.

Today, Ponsse AS's service operations are handled by Geir and three other people. The company also has 6-7 service partners in different parts of the country and they help customers with repairs and servicing. However, this was not always the case.

“When I drove to work on a Monday morning, I never knew when I would come back home and when I could finally enjoy the weekend. I always had my bags packed and I drove from one location to another – to places on the other side of the country where we had customers,” he says.

“I stayed in hotels a lot, but I often spent part of the night driving to the next location,” he explains.

Geir had worked for Ponsse's Norwegian importer for a year when the company decided to stop representing the brand. Ponss's customers in Norway were called to a meeting. There were only about 25 customers, but losing a local dealer was a major problem for them.

The meeting was held at Hotel Gjestegård in Kongsvinger and there were also representatives from Ponsse's management in Finland.

“They calmed down the customers by saying that Ponsse has come to Norway to stay,” Geir says. The subsidiary, Ponsse AS, was established

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As a Ponsse service manager I constantly learn something new as I always have to solve new technological problems. At the same time, I have to remember the solutions related to the old machines that are still in use.

in February 1998 and Geir was offered a service manager's position.

MAJOR CHANGES

“At first we had to organise everything on our own. Before the company was registered in the Brønnøysund trade

register, we even had to pay all the bills out of our own pocket and the company then reimbursed us later.

We found a suitable facility on Eidskogveien, near the current location. First we set up an office and then a spare parts warehouse and a relatively poor repair shop where we tried to manage until we moved to the current location in 2010,” he says. Since then the company has grown. Instead of 25 customers, there are now 250 regular customers and also some temporary customers.

Many major changes have occurred since Geir started working with PONSSE machines over 20 years ago.

“There is, of course, a lot more computer-based technology and electronics in the machines. Digital technology and diagnostic solutions are needed in the engine exhaust and cleaning systems to reduce emissions. The biggest revolution happened with the new models launched in 2015.”

LIKE A BIG FAMILY

Geir believes that the most remarkable change has been Ponsse's strong expansion all over the world.

“We have regular meetings where Ponsse people from different parts of the world get together.

We are friends with each other and talk like a big family. I have been invited to travel to numerous places. I just don't have much time. When I'm on my own and have to travel, there's no one to fill in for me,” he says. He wishes that he had seized these opportunities more often.

He has, however, visited Finland several times.

“We go to Finland at least twice a year to attend courses and meetings. In line with Einari Vidgrén's spirit, Ponsse always makes sure that both employees and customers are warmly welcomed. I feel like a member of the family here,” he says.

According to Brenden, the employees are taken seriously.

“If we report a certain problem to the management and the factory engineers, they will react to it quickly. Changes may not happen immediately, but we are listened to and our views are taken into consideration when changes are being considered. It's a very positive thing,” he says. Geir also says that he appreciates the fact that the management are not above everybody else, instead they discuss with the employees and see them as equal colleagues.

Managing Director Sigurd Skotte (left) has “only” worked for Ponsse about half of the time that Geir Brenden has been with the company. Here they are at the Ponsse workshop at Klettavegen 7 in Kongsvinger, which is where Ponsse AS's head office is also located.

PONSSE AS

Ponsse's Norwegian subsidiary, Ponsse AS, was established in 1998. The company has 11 employees, two working with administrative duties, two in sales and the rest in service and spare parts.

Ponsse AS is based in Kongsvinger near the Swedish border. In addition to its own service operations, the company has service partners in the following locations: Kongsvinger, Kirkenær, Støren, Levanger, Drammen, Skien and Kristiansand.

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CUSTOMER / D&D NILSSON AB

STABILITY AND POWER FOR DEMANDING TERRAIN

THE NORTHERNMOST BEAR IN SWEDEN In Örnsköldsvik in the Swedish province of Ångermanland, one can run into an exceptionally big bear. “We wanted a powerful and stable harvester that is suitable for tough forest environments and varying terrain,” say brothers Didrik and Dennis Nilsson. They are proud owners of an 8-wheeled PONSSE Bear harvester equipped with an H8 harvester head.

D

idrik and Dennis Nilsson are from Piteå in the Norrbotten county. Their father Erling Nilsson worked as a forest machine entrepreneur until 2017 when the company went through a change of generation. The two brothers established their own company, D&D Nilsson AB, and started harvesting trees with a harvester and forwarder bought from their father.

After moving about 300 kilometres down south, Didrik and Dennis Nilsson noticed that the trees in their new area were a lot thicker and the terrain was more hilly. They replaced the old harvester with the PONSSE Bear which in the spring will be joined by a forwarder of the same colour, PONSSE Elephant King with a load carrying capacity of 20 tonnes. “We prefer clear cutting, so our harvester has to be very powerful and stable. We feel safe knowing that there is enough

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power if needed. The machine is also better suited for demanding jobs,” the brothers say.

SWEPT AWAY BY THE FOREST

Neither of the brothers ended up choosing forestry after basic education.

Didrik became an aircraft mechanic and Dennis selected vehicle and transport engineering.

“I never actually worked as an aircraft mechanic as I ended up choosing forestry,” Didrik says.

Dennis, on the other hand, has had the time to operate “all sorts of vehicles on wheels and tracks” while working for other companies. He has, for example, operated an earthmoving machine at the Kiruna iron ore mine.

“A dumper only has two levers, the accelerator and the brake. It is totally different from operating a forwarder or a harvester and there is no doubt which one is more fun.”

EXPERIENCE SINCE A YOUNG AGE

In practice, the brothers have two qualifications because they have spent numerous days off and weekends working for their father's company.

This is where 25-year-old Didrik and 24-year-old Dennis learned everything they know about forest machines, forestry and entrepreneurship. D&D Nilsson AB is a young company with young owners, but the brothers already have plenty of harvesting experience.

“It is a major advantage that we can utilise our father's 40 years of experience in the field. The forestry entrepreneurs' organisation has also offered support. They, for example, organise training for young entrepreneurs.”

The brothers are clearly proud of the region where they are from.

So how did they end up leaving Norrbotten and moving hundreds of kilometres south? It all began in 2015 when their father was given

an exceptionally big job in the Örnsköldsvik area. Didrik and Dennis joined him to operate forest machines and a permanent move was the next step – first for Didrik who was later followed by Dennis. Soon love also came into the picture as Didrik met, through work, forestry company SCA's logging manager Malin Börjegren They became a couple and are still together. Today, Malin works as a transport manager at the Örnfrakt transport company.

THREE OPERATORS, TWO MACHINES

D&D Nilsson has a three-person logging team that includes a forwarder operator, in addition to the brothers.

Didrik mainly works with the harvester, while Dennis spends 60-70 percent of his working hours behind the forwarder controls.

“We have three operators, so we can operate our machines using a one and a half shift system. We split the

hours so that the forwarder is always right behind the harvester. Annually, the forwarder only has a slightly higher number of operating hours than the harvester, while the differences at a specific site may be a lot greater. If the stems of the trees being harvested are robust and the transport distance is long, it may take more hours than usual to transport the timber with the forwarder. If the site is easier in terms of short-distance transport, I use more time operating the harvester,” Dennis explains. This allows us to make the most of both machines irrespective of the average size of trees, transport distance, terrain conditions and other variables.”

HIGH UTILISATION RATE PER WORKING HOUR

We use two forest machines with three operators so that one of the operators operates both machines, which helps us maintain a high utilisation rate in relation to the number of paid working

hours. Didrik and Dennis keep a close eye on the relationship between the machine utilisation rates and paid working hours. “Wages are the biggest individual cost for the company, so we want as many paid working hours as possible to be productive,” Dennis says.

According to the brothers, this division of labour also has other advantages. It is easier for them to leave if they, for example, need to get something or check out harvesting sites without affecting productivity.

The brothers believe that it is also beneficial for an employee that the machines are mainly operated in the daytime. “Working in two or more shifts is tough for both people and machines. It would also be more difficult to have enough billable hours in relation to the number of paid working hours,” Didrik says.

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CUSTOMER / D&D NILSSON AB

The C6 crane and the H8 harvester head come in handy when working with thick trees, but they are also well suited for thinner trees.

A COMPETITIVE SPIRIT

The brothers believe that it is an asset that the company has two owners and that they both also work as forest machine operators.

“We have always stuck together, we know each other well and our cooperation is smooth. It helps us develop the company. The requirement for partnership is, of course, that we see eye to eye on the basic matters,” they say.

Didrik and Dennis are both competitive and have competed in motocross at an amateur level. Their competitiveness also shows in the forest machine cabin.

“We do contract work, so a competitive spirit is definitely a good thing. Our work has to progress smoothly because consistency is important in terms of turnover.”

It is inevitable that there is some sort of competition between the brothers.

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“It's my dream that one day I am able to operate the harvester as quickly as Didrik,” Dennis says.

“Dennis learns quickly, so I think my days are numbered,” Didrik laughs.

EXTENSIVE TESTING

Soon all of the company's vehicles will be in Ponsse's colours. There are both soft and hard values behind the brand loyalty.

“Our father was secretly a Ponsse fan for a long time, so we knew that Ponsse's machines are very good. We also knew that they have a very good repair shop here in Örnsköldsvik.

However, we kept an open mind when selecting our new harvester. It was our first new machine, so we really focused on making the right choice and tested different models by all the main manufacturers,” Didrik says.

“What we particularly liked about this machine is the fact that the cabin

and the crane are on different sides of the joint. This has a major impact on ergonomics. When you're in the cabin, you can barely feel a tree hitting the ground. It was also important that the harvester has eight wheels and a powerful crane and that the machine performs excellently on steep hills.”

“The machine's operational performance meets our requirements.

The machine is also of incredibly high quality. You can see it in all of the parts, both big and small,” Dennis adds. He mentions the steel structures and hoses as an example. “Its fuel efficiency was also a very positive surprise,” he continues.

AN EFFICIENT SLIDING BOOM CRANE

The move from Norrbotten to Ångermanland meant that the brothers had to adopt new working methods. In Norrbotten, the terrain is more even. “When we started our first project here, the customer

When you're in the cabin, you can barely feel a tree hitting the ground.

immediately gave us an excavator contractor's phone number. We soon understood why. An excavator may be needed to prepare transport routes and interim storage locations. There is often a lot of variation in the terrain. The hills may be rocky, while further down the soil can be very soft,” Didrik says.

The Nilsson brothers' Bear is equipped with a C6 sliding boom crane that has a reach of 10 metres. The brothers are happy about the fact that the crane structure ensures a low centre of gravity. This is excellent, especially when moving on hilly terrain or on slopes. “With the powerful and stable machine and the C6 crane, we can make sure that the logs are in a place where the forwarder can pick them up.”

The Bear's PONSSE H8 harvester head is Ponsse's most popular model in the Swedish market. “It's powerful and robust. In spite of its size, it also has a solid grip on thinner stems,” Dennis says.

INVESTMENTS IN DAILY WORK

Didrik and Dennis feel that Ponsse is very well aware of the work-related requirements in terms of functions and ergonomics.

“At Ponsse they really invest in what helps us make a living. The standard equipment covers our needs. We don't think it's necessary to get additional equipment, unless it improves ergonomics or productivity. We have also noticed that they have a very good team spirit at Ponsse.”

ENSURING OPERATING CONDITIONS

Didrik and Dennis are determined to increase their company's cash assets.

They want to ensure good operating conditions now and in the future.

“Our challenge is to improve our margins so that we could also achieve good results in the long run and could still slightly cut down our own hours.

Just like everybody else, we have to be able to price our services correctly.

It's probably one of the biggest challenges.”

AN EXTREMELY DRY SUMMER

Last summer's extreme draught brought additional challenges.

“It only rained a few times during the summer and the early autumn.

It has definitely been an advantage that we work with SCA. The company owns extensive forest areas, so it was possible to take the machines to sites where harvesting was possible in spite of the unusual situation. We worked a few nights and took some time off in the daytime, but mainly we worked as usual.”

The collaboration with SCA is smooth in every respect. “They are professionals, as are we. So, we are happy with everything. We both also respect each other's roles. Discussions always lead to better results, so we make sure that we get to take part in the planning.”

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CUSTOMER / D&D NILSSON AB

The forestry sector brought Malin and Didrik together.

MACHINE ENTHUSIASTS

Didrik and Dennis describe themselves as machine enthusiasts.

They used to spend a lot of time working on machines. “We still do, but it's not very profitable. There is no way we could work at the same pace as Per Andersson at Ponsse's service centre in Örnsköldsvik. He always knows what is going on and what needs to be done,” Dennis says.

Didrik agrees. “The service centre staff are very committed to getting all machines back to work. Immediately after getting our new harvester, the service centre made sure they had spare parts that could be needed later.

It's a lot more honest approach than to pretend that nothing will ever break down. It's very important to us both financially and in terms of safety.”

The financing for the harvester was also arranged through Ponsse.

The same arrangements will be done with the Elephant King forwarder.

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Didrik and Dennis have noticed that Ponsse Finance, which is offered in cooperation with DLL, is cost-effective and flexible. “Everything is a lot easier when you deal with someone who knows the industry. The amounts of capital invested are big, so financing has to be organised with care,” Didrik says.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

Didrik and Dennis still occasionally hop on their motocross bikes, but at the moment entrepreneurship takes most of their time. “Machines are our passion and they are fun to operate. Running a business is also fun. It's nice to build networks, brainstorm and build something that we enjoy doing,” Didrik and Dennis say with big smiles on their faces.

For Didrik and Dennis, the forest is like a second home. They enjoy their varied work days as well as the challenges, creativeness and technology.

“Every day we have to keep many people satisfied, like landowners and log truck drivers. For us, it creates a sense of togetherness. Besides, we have the best workplace in the world.

It's just fantastic to start the day's work in a beautiful stand of trees early in the morning.”

We have the best workplace in the world. It's just fantastic to start the day's work in a beautiful stand of trees early in the morning.

LOGGING NEWS Ponsse is the most reputable company in Finland According to T-Media’s Reputation&Trust survey, Ponsse is the most reputable company in Finland in 2018. Ponsse received a higher score in the survey than any company ever before.

Ponsse was evaluated to be excellent in all eight dimensions of reputation that were measured in the survey. In addition to the total score, the company was assessed to be historically good in responsibility and the ability to renew itself. The game company Supercell kept its second place in the overall ranking.

The lift manufacturing company Kone was placed third.

EVERYONE HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE

According to Riku Ruokolahti, T-Media’s Development Director, the set of indicators used in the Reputation&Trust survey is challenging due to its varied nature and success in one area is not enough to reach the top.

“In order to increase trust, product and service evaluations must be supplemented by collecting positive views especially on openness, transparency, acting as an employer and appropriate overall business conduct. Ponsse is an example of a company that has been successful in all dimensions and remains at the top of the industry’s development. The company is committed to developing the well-being of its employees and the whole surrounding community. Ponsse has also taken care of dialogue and interaction in a comprehensive way – not just by successfully selecting its sponsorship deals,” Ruokolahti said.

The Reputation&Trust award was presented to Juha Vidgrén by Prime Minister Juha Sipilä.

SUCCESS IS BASED ON THE ABILITY TO MANAGE CHALLENGING SITUATIONS

“Ponsse has come a long way since the depression of the early 1970s when the first PONSSE forest machine was made in Vieremä. At that time, there was no capital, no engineering skills, no machine-building study, not even the company’s own factory. Our success today is based on winning the challenges of the early days. These starting points still serve as the foundation for the dedicated management of customer relationships, persistence, tolerance for uncertainty, appreciation for work and the expertise of personnel as well as flexibility. The number one goal has always been to manufacture the best forest machines in the world. As the company’s founder Einari Vidgrén put it, the Mercedes-Benz of forests,” Juha Vidgrén, the Chairman of the Board said.

“In the tightening competition for a skilled workforce, reputation plays an important role. A good reputation supports our own recruitment process, while also increasing the appreciation of the whole forest machine industry which is facing its own challenges in attracting a workforce.

Reputation also contributes to the pride employees feel for their work. The role of every Ponsse employee is important as part of the whole company,” Juha Vidgrén said.

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LOGGING NEWS

LOGGING NEWS The Spare Parts Salesperson of the Year competition winner is Mati from Estonia This year, the winner of the Spare Parts Salesperson of the Year competition was Mati Simm who works at Konekesko in Estonia. He says that his knowhow has developed through daily work. He also participated in the training for spare parts sales people organised by Ponsse a few years ago.

Ponsse organised this international competition for the third time in Iisalmi from 26 to 28 November 2018. Feedback regarding the competition will be used, for example, for mapping the training needs of spare parts sales people and for developing the training programme globally.

“Knowhow and skilled spare parts sales people are the cornerstones of out spare parts business. Modern forest machines are so technical and develop so fast that it’s very important that spare parts sales people keep up with the development,” says Parts Manager Mikko Eskelinen.

Competitors in the photo: Nong Yunhai (China), Maris Kreituzis (Latvia), Mati Simm (Estonia), Andreas Tyrsell (Sweden), Carlos Godoy (Uruguay), Tomas Jokubaitis (Lithuania) and Juha Peura (Finland).

A long bogie for forwarders – lower surface pressure with the new option A new bogie option is available for the 8-wheeled PONSSE Wisent, Elk and Buffalo forwarder, designed for harvesting on soft terrain. The long bogie reduces the surface pressure of a machine equipped with tracks by up to 17% compared to a standard bogie. The long bogie has a hub distance of up to 1,890 mm.

Ponsse was voted the best medium-sized listed company Private investors voted Ponsse the best medium-sized listed company. In the Private Investor's Choice competition, small-scale investors voted for Finland's most reliable and attractive listed companies. Their favourite companies in 2018 were Kone, Ponsse, Marimekko and Verkkokauppa.com. The competition was arranged by the Finnish Foundation for Share Promotion, communication agency Kreab and expo center Messukeskus. In their assessments, the small-scale investors especially valued Ponsse's competent management, strong ownership and a personnel-centred approach. The investors saw the company as a developing and growing top player in its field, with outstanding innovation management.

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A total of 50 E SW (Effective and Safe Workshop) au dits were performed wit hin the Ponsse servic e network in 2018.

Extensive sales experience – 1,370 forest machines sold In November 2018, the Kouvola service centre celebrated its 20th anniversary in Finland. One of those attending the event was Seppo Alanne who was involved in setting up the service centre in 1998. Before retiring, Alanne worked for 20 years as Ponsse's machine salesman in the Kouvola region.

Arto and Sari Seppälä walk in the door of the Kouvola service centre. “He has a lot to do with why we got our own service centre here,” Alanne says and points at Seppälä.

Seppälä, Aatsin Kone Oy's owner, had answered a customer satisfaction survey in connection with buying a machine and gave feedback directly to the CEO. He told that a shop is needed in Kouvola so that he doesn't have to drive to Mikkeli for spare parts. Aatsin Kone is still Ponsse's customer. Now as a second generation company, since Arto and Sari's son Topi has taken over the reins.

According to Alanne, back then it was common for companies to repair their own machines. All machine entrepreneurs had some kind of workshop for maintenance purposes.

“Now companies want service. The machines are so technical that a professional is needed for servicing. It is easier to bring a machine to a nearby service centre.”

Alanne estimates that he sold 1,370 forest machines during his career. In order to be successful in sales and to increase market share, the maintenance services play a key role. As the number of machines increases, it is important to also pay attention to the sales and servicing of used machines.

“I spent an interesting period of time at Ponsse and I saw one generation of entrepreneurs retire. Many of those who began around the same time as me have retired. Their companies have been taken over by family members or sold to their machine operators or bigger companies. Retired forest machine operators are in high demand as fill-ins and many of them are happy to return to logging sites to reminisce about the old days.”

Alanne is very interested in old cars and tractors. “In recent years I have gotten rid of some of my tractors and cars, but I got a new car when my co-workers gave me a 1979 Volvo 245 DL as a retirement gift. It is the same model that I had years ago when I drove to the first FinnMETKO trade fair in Jämsänkoski.”

Topi Seppälä (left), Seppo Alanne, Sari and Arto Seppälä

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LOGGING NEWS

Ponsse’s President and CEO Juho Nummela named Businessperson of the Year Ponsse Plc’s President and CEO Juho Nummela was named Businessperson of the Year. The award is presented annually

by Suomen Liikemiesyhdistys associoation in cooperation with Kauppalehti magazine and Aalto University. This was the first time that a second person from the same company has received the award. Ponsse’s founder Einari Vidgrén was presented with the award in 1997.

The jury stated that Juho Nummela embodies the characteristics of modern sustainable leadership. Furthermore, Nummela lives by principles through which responsible operations, transparency and the engagement of stakeholders have produced both financial success and success measurable in employee experiences.

“Juho Nummela’s leadership exhibits both respect for the company’s roots and the creation of something new. These new things are created in cooperation with every Ponsse employee.

This is based on the fact that Nummela is inspired by joint efforts to develop the company, regardless of the organisational level.

Nummela is a manager who engages his employees in genuine dialogue and sets an example when it comes to the leadership skills of a new age,” said the statement given by the jury.

One year without accidents for the Ponsse Uruguay service team! Way to go team!

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PUUSTA ON MONEKSI Puu on monipuolinen materiaali ja siitä voidaan valmistaa monia eri asioita. Kuusesta valmistetaan paperia ja koivusta saadaan koivusokeria eli xylitolia – purukumissakin on siis puuta. Puusta valmistetaan myös huonekaluja, käyttöesineitä ja taloja. Tutki mitä kaikkea puusta valmistettua kotoasi löytyy!

KURREN Colouring picture Buffalo Bill

palkinto-

tehtävä

Seuraa puutavaraa Johdata Kurre sokkelon läpi seuraamalla ruutuja, joissa olevien esineiden valmistukseen on käytetty puuta.

Montako esinettä löysit? Lähetä vastauksesi meille syyskuunloppuun mennessä joko postitse osoitteeseen Ponsse Oyj/viestintä, Ponssentie 22, 74200 Vieremä, tai sähköpostitse osoitteeseen ponssenews@ponsse.com.

Muista liittää mukaan yhteystietosi! Julkaisemme oikean vastauksen ja arvonnan voittajan lehden seuraavassa numerossa.

RAKENNETAAN KAARNALAIVA Kaarnalaivojen uittaminen on mukavaa kesäpuuhaa ja niiden rakentaminenkin on helppoa. Tarvitset palan kaarnaa rungoksi, tikun mastoksi ja tuohta tai ison lehden purjeeksi.

Ponsse News 1/2018

KIlpailun VOITTAJA

Minttu Lönnroth, Tee kaarnapalaan reikä mastoa varten.

Pujota purje tikun läpi ja laita masto paikoilleen.

Riihimäki Send your coloured picture to Ponsse Plc, Ponssentie 22, FI-74200 Vieremä, Finland, or scan your Kaarnalaivoja on hauska tehdä Onnea! picture and send it kavereiden to ponssenews@ponsse.com by the end of February. Remember to include your kanssa, kenen laiva on nopein? contact details! Three lucky artists will win a prize.

The winner of the Ponsse Kids 2/2018 competition was Edwin Rantanen from Hämeenlinna. The right answer to the question was 17 wooden items.

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PONSSE COLLECTION NEW ARRIVALS FOR WINTER MEN'S AND WOMEN'S LIGHT PADDED JACKET €65 Men's jacket, product no. 1371, sizes S–4XL Women's jacket, product no. 1372, sizes 36-44

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Padded jacket with a light feel that makes it ideal for yearround use. Convenient zipper pockets on the sides and chest.

The detachable hood adds to the jacket’s versatility. Elastic cuffs add comfort. Material: 100% polyester

KIDS' WINTER OVERALL €110 product no. 1270–1274 / Waterproof (5,000 mm) and breathable (5,000 g/m2/24 h) winter overall for children. Ideal for outdoor activities in any weather. Detachable hood with detachable fake fur.

Articulated sleeves, adjustable waist, snow locks on cuffs and leg ends, detachable silicone foot straps, articulated knees. Reinforced high-wear areas.

Reflective details. Sizes: 86/92–134/140.

Material: 100% polyamide 143 g/m2, MPC.

HOCKEY BEANIE €15 product no. 1290 / Ponsse hockey beanie with a pom-pom. Warm acrylic knitted hat. Colour: black/ yellow/white. One size. Material: 100% acrylic.

PONSSE LOGO BEANIE €15, product no. 1261 / Black cotton beanie. Made in Finland. Double layer. Medium length. Big logo print on the front. Logo tag in the back seam.

Material: 97% cotton, 3% spandex.

MEN'S CHECKED SHIRT €45 product no. 1374 / Men's checked shirt with the Ponsse logo on the chest and a woven patch on the sleeve. Chest pockets and rounded helm. Modern cut. Sizes: S–3XL. Material: 100% cotton.

JEANS €90 product no. 1355 / Dark blue jeans, stretchy denim.

Folds on the knees give a shape to the legs. Front and coin pockets. Front zipper. D-ring. Pleated cargo pockets, back pockets with flaps. Belt loops.

Ponsse embroidery on the pocket. Sizes: 48–60.

Material: 99% cotton, 1% elastane.

MEN'S PULLOVER €100 product no. 1375 / Casual and warm army-style pullover with the Ponsse logo on the chest.

Sizes: S–3XL. Material: 80% wool, 20% acrylic.

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SAME PART

WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY?

B A S E WA R

6

RANT Y

MONTHS

OR

12

EX TENDEDY WA RR A N T

MONTHS

When PONSSE Genuine parts are assembled at an authorized PONSSE service center, in addition to the easy and effortless installation the warranty period will increase to 12 months, or 2000 hours.

When installing the new PONSSE Genuine Parts the extended warranty covers both spare parts and installation. If the spare parts are installed by yourself, the warranty period is 6 months, or 1200 hours.