Jarno Huttunen started as FSP’s new CEO on July 1st, 2019. how does the new role feel like? What are the most topical issues at FSP, or the surface treatment industry in general? Welcome to meet our new CEO!
MANY READERS ALREADY KNOW YOU FROM YOUR EARLIER WORK AT FSP. STILL, TELL SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF.
– I first studied the vocational qualification in machinery and metallurgy, specializing in plastic technology. I started working when I was 17 and have continued my studies alongside work. I have a specialist vocational qualification in technology, within which I specialized e.g. in operational management. I have also studied to be engineer of production technology. Last year, I started my MBA studies in Poland and I plan to continue them although I’m living in Finland for now.
WHERE HAVE YOU WORKED AT FSP?
– I’ve done all kinds of work. I started as Supervisor and after that Site manager, Area manager, COO and Business director before now starting as CEO.
During my time at FSP, it is only a few times that I’ve held a paint sprayer in my hand. I am familiar with that, though, and if needed, I am always ready to get into hands-on work. I am planning to get a Occupational Safety Card so I can get out there on the field to see what goes on in our everyday work
HOW DOES YOUR NEW WORK FEEL LIKE?
– I am very excited about the new challenges!
New visions have already come up, too. By combining the possibilities of digitalization with manual labour, we can offer our customers a good combination. On the other hand, all of our customers don’t need manual work, meaning concrete surface treatment. For them, we can offer our expertise and knowhow. Surface treatment is not the core competence of all our customers, so their software solutions, for example, are not compatible with it. We can make use of FSP’s knowhow for their benefit and bring cost-effectiveness into these processes.
In addition to Finland, we are looking at business opportunities abroad. In Poland, for example, things are moving forward and our operations are running well. We just came back from an international fair and noticed that many foreign companies are interested in our services. As of now, we have no concrete plans for further international expansion, but we keep an open mind. Digital development makes it easier for us to operate outside Finland as well. It opens up many possibilities, enabling us to operate with less permanent onsite personnel than before.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE CURRENT SITUATION IN SURFACE TREATMENT INDUSTRY?
– The industry has remained stable for a long time, but I believe that we are now facing change and development. It is also about digitalization: when data utilization and software are linked to our current operations, we can offer our customers a wider range of services.
We have lately been developing our processes and marketing, among other things, which has given us new customers. There are lots of possibilities in the industry – we just need to figure out how to tap into them. I believe there is always demand for something new, and we always want to offer our customers added value. I don’t see the point in competing with price, but rather the overall cost. It is important to seek solutions that bring overall cost-effectiveness.
All in all, it is important to remain elastic. When the world changes, we must change with it.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST IMPORTANT IN FSP’S OPERATIONS?
– The most important thing has been and always will be the well-being of employees.
In our business, it is the people on the field that do the actual work and are mostly in contact with customers. Their work may require flexibility and endurance. If these employees are not motivated, it will have an effect on the whole company and our customer satisfaction. We must bear in mind that surface treatment is done by people, not machines or systems. Without good workers, there would not be much need for us working at the offices.
When I started as CEO, I immediately contacted the employees and told them that I try to spend as much time on the field as possible. I also want to encourage all personnel for openness. When the communication culture is direct and you can give and receive feedback openly, we can actually make decisions and improve things together.
IN CONCLUSION; WHAT DO YOU MOST LIKE IN YOUR WORK?
– This work has many “best” sides. But I really like to be working with people and seeing people succeed and accomplish good things. When we work together, we get results. That motivates me.
