Product Manager for the drying business, Marko Kaukonen, has had a long career in the energy industry. Marko was drawn to Heinola by an interesting job offer—one he hasn’t regretted. In his free time, Marko enjoys skiing and other fitness activities.
Marko Kaukonen started as a Product Manager in HEINOLA’s drying business at the end of 2018. However, he joined the company a year earlier, in 2017. Marko, who studied Energy Engineering in Turku, has worked in companies serving the energy industry throughout his career. At Högfors, Marko worked in design, project, and procurement roles for six years. He spent 14 years as a procurement manager at Oilon. He also has experience in the power plant sector, including work at the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant.
Kaukonen, who was born in Kurikka and now lives in Lahti, was eager to take on the position at HEINOLA.
“I received an interesting job offer related to sawmill dryers. I had been planning for some time to get into this field. Given my background, it was a very intriguing position,” Kaukonen explains.
Good atmosphere in the company
Marko Kaukonen has enjoyed his time at his current workplace. He highlights three key reasons why HEINOLA is not only a pleasant work environment but also an inspiring and developmental one.
“HEINOLA is a good employer. There’s a great atmosphere here, which is very important. Another major factor is the skilled staff. A lot of investment has been made in building expertise, which is already evident and will be our advantage in the future. You can always get help from our other experienced professionals when needed. The third key factor for development and job satisfaction is the working conditions. We have excellent tools for carrying out projects.”
As a Product Manager, Kaukonen’s role also involves being heavily involved in sales. The quality and efficiency of the drying product must be top-notch for it to be worth manufacturing. Efficiency refers not only to drying quality but also to energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Every euro saved in production shows up on the bottom line.
“As a Product Manager, I have to ensure that the product stays up-to-date and that customer interaction works smoothly. We listen closely to their feedback. For example, we were the first in Finland to introduce energy-saving fan motors in our dryers. According to one sawmill’s calculations, these alone can save the customer 10,000 euros, so they definitely boost customer satisfaction. And a satisfied customer will order again,” Kaukonen notes.
Staying fit
During work hours, Marko keeps the dryers in good condition and up-to-date. In his free time, this Lahti-based drying expert enjoys staying fit. He and his partner ski up to 2,000 kilometers each winter. When there’s no snow, the skis are swapped for a bike or running shoes.
“Exercise in all its traditional forms is very close to my heart. It helps me manage daily life and is, above all, a part of my mental well-being,” Kaukonen concludes.
