Mika’s first year as CEO of Valukumpu
Mika Käyhkö transitioned from the role of plant manager at Valukumpu to CEO in January 2024. We went over the highlights and lessons from his first year.
The first year has gone by quickly. Mika describes 2024 as a good year overall. The practical arrangements and organizational workflow adjustments following his role change went smoothly. Since Mika has been a familiar face in the Valukumpu organization for over 20 years, the transition did not cause any surprise among the staff. Financially, the year went well in line with expectations. It was an active year on the customer front, with several new projects successfully launched.
The most important lesson for Mika this year has been recognizing the remarkable level of commitment from Valukumpu’s staff. He praises their adaptability and ability to take responsibility as outstanding. While this was not a surprise, Mika describes seeing this realization in action as crucial in a year of changes. In addition to the CEO transition, Ouneva Group also launched its new strategy in the summer of 2024.
According to Mika, the greatest success of the year is directly tied to the staff at Valukumpu. The year has been full of small victories, but he particularly highlights the team’s ability to adapt to changes. He feels that no matter what challenges are thrown at the team, they handle them exceptionally well!
Mika acknowledges that the general outlook for the industrial sector is challenging, but there is always hope for better times. Due to the difficult global situation and geopolitical issues, forecasting the future has become more uncertain, presenting its own set of challenges. However, Mika believes that these challenges can be tackled together. The future should be approached with optimism and hope. While risk scenarios are considered, they are not overemphasized. Mika stresses that work is always done to the best of their abilities, and those in leadership positions focus on risk management and its implementation in the best possible way. A calm and reliable leadership style becomes even more crucial in uncertain times.
Looking ahead, the continuation of Ouneva Group’s collective strategic work remains essential. “Strategy is built every day, and it brings stability to the group,” Mika says. Although Ouneva Group’s companies are quite different, an important part of the development work is identifying commonalities and making the most of them. According to Mika, technological development plays a key role in the future. Investments are not limited to new machinery or automation solutions, but the company aims to tackle new challenges—whatever they may be. Ensuring and developing staff expertise is a priority not only for Valukumpu but for the entire Ouneva Group.