Finnish loader crane and forestry equipment manufacturer and supplier Kesla, has appointed Pasi Nieminen as chief executive designate starting no later than August. In the meantime, chief financial officer Ilkka Miettinen will continue to serve as interim chief executive alongside his day job.
Pasi Nieminen
Nieminen will join the company after 14 years with Toyota Material Handling Europe, where he has been director of the SAP Transformation Programme for the past year and a half. He began his career in 1996 as an assembly worker with component manufacturer Santasalo Vaihteet. The following year he moved to Germany to work as a service engineer with Wärtsila before returning to Finland as a Cad Cam engineer with his old company. In 1999 he accepted a similar job with Biotechnology Research firm Biohit, over the next 10 years he moved up through the company to become business manager of the OEM and robotics division.
In late 2008 he moved to Finnish forest machinery manufacture Logset, where he was appointed managing director of its UK business. Over the next three years moved up through the company to become managing director. At end of 2011 he joined Toyota Material Handling Finland as managing director and was promoted to his current job in 2022.
Chairman Vesa Tuomi said: “In line with its strategy, Kesla focuses on profitable growth in all its three business areas: tractor attachments, truck and industrial cranes, and logging equipment. Growing beyond the company’s current size requires deep expertise in implementing an innovative business and transformation strategy and experience in mechanical engineering business as well as production management. I would like to warmly welcome Pasi Nieminen to Kesla. He has strong international experience from the comprehensive development and successful implementation of different business areas,” says, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kesla.
Pasi Nieminen added: “A skilled staff, deep industry expertise, flexible production, competitive products, a strong brand and partner network as well as high customer satisfaction are inherent characteristics of Kesla. I am extremely happy about getting to lead this traditional Finnish company with international operations and to build the next steps of the company’s growth path and success together with the staff. In addition to strong technological know-how and production, I believe that the systematic development of customer understanding, customer relationships and sales is key to success.”
Established in 1960, Kesla has production facilities in Joensuu, Kesälahti and Ilomantsi as well as a sales office Appenweier, Germany. It employs around 250 with revenues of €46 million and is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
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