Jussi Pesonen elected Chairman of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation

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The Board of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation has elected Mr. Jussi Pesonen, the President and CEO of UPM-Kymmene Corporation, as its Chairman for 2014. President and CEO Kari Jordan, Metsä Group and CEO Jouko Karvinen, Stora Enso Oyj  were elected as deputy chairmen.

In addition to the chairmen, the following new members were elected to the Executive Committee:
Managing Director Kalle Kantola, Haapajärven Ha-Sa Oy, Mill Director Martti Savelainen, Sappi Finland Operations Oy and CEO Tomi Yli-Kyyny, Vapo Oy. Managing Director Ville Kopra, Versowood Oy and Managing Director Sari Rämö, DS Smith Packaging Finland Oy will continue as members of the Executive Committee.

“Decisions made here in Finland as well as in Europe have an impact on the competitiveness of the forest-based sector. Restoring of lost competitiveness must be highlighted as a priority. The wings of growth should not be clipped but the industry should be encouraged to operate and employ in Finland,” says Jussi Pesonen, the next Chairman of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation.

In addition, the following representatives of Finnish Forest Industries Federation member companies were elected to serve on the Board of Directors in 2014:

Managing Director Jussi Aine, Puustelli Group Oy
Managing Director Risto Hovi, BillerudKorsnäs Finland Oy
CEO Arto Huurinainen, Tornator Oyj
President and CEO, Ilkka Hämälä, Metsä Fibre Oy
CEO Lauri Junnila, Pankaboard Oy
CEO Pekka Kauranen, Harvestia Oy
CEO Juha Koukka, Savon Sellu Oy
General Manager Juha Kuusisto,Veljet Kuusisto Oy
Managing Director Heikki Merikoski, Oy SWM-Wood Ltd
General Manager Heikki Mustaniemi SCA Tissue Finland Oy
Executive Vice President Kari Nikkanen, Olavi Räsänen Oy
Country Senior Executive Lauri Peltola, Stora Enso Oyj
CEO Tapio Pitkänen, Omatalo Oy
Managing Director Kyösti Pöyry, Paperinkeräys Oy
Managing Director Timo Rautalahti, Mondi Lohja Oy
Managing Director Tommi Ruha, Kuhmo Oy
Chairman of the Board Pekka Sairanen, Puusepänteollisuus ry
President Tuija Suur-Hamari, Kotkamills Oy
Vice President Production Matti-Pekka Vanninen, Jujo Thermal Oy
President, UPM Energy and Pulp Business Group Heikki Vappula, UPM-Kymmene Corporation
CEO Jouko Virranniemi, Pölkky Oy

The Finnish Forest Industries Federation's annual autumn meeting and Board meeting took place on Friday, 22 November in Helsinki.

The Finnish Forest Industries Federation represents companies in the wood-processing industries in Finland. We promote the competitiveness and profitability of the forest industries by strengthening its operating environment and public image in Finland and abroad. Our membership covers the pulp, paper and paperboard industries and most of the sawmilling, wood-based panel and wood products industry in Finland.

The forest-based sector employs directly and indirectly for nearly 160,000 Finns. It also boosts income and vitality in sparsely populated areas and accounts for one fifth of the nation's export earnings.