New VK agent in Chile
Valon Kone has expanded its global sales network with a new representative in Chile. As of January 1, 2023, the company Innovación Nórdica Spa from Santiago is VK’s new exclusive agent on the Chilean market.
Mr. Vasco Ortúzar and his team have been servicing the wood processing industry in Chile for 20 years. In addition to Valon Kone, Mr. Ortúzar is working with several first-class European equipment manufacturers, for example Pinomatic and Finnos (Finland), Argos (Norway), and Steinemann (Switzerland). We are happy to start our co-operation with Innovación Nórdica to improve Valon Kone’s presence and service level in the market.
At the same time, we want to express our gratitude to our long-term agent in Chile, Mr. Ricardo Schmidlin for his work and commitment to VK and to Chilean customers. Thank you Riku!
New employees with VK in engineering, finance and after sales
VK’s team, located in Lohja, Finland, has recently been expanded to include three new hires:
- Fredrik Lindström, Mechanical Engineer
- Kati Kujala, Controller
- Siiri-Viola Puhdaskoski, After Sales Engineer
Article in the Holzkurier magazine, Austria
Learn more in Holzkurier's article how Valon Kone is taking care of its customers in German speaking Europe (09/2022).
Reassignments and new employees, Finland
Sebastian Buddas has been appointed as the R&D director and member of the Valon Kone management group. Seppo Kurki, previously responsible for engineering and R&D, will continue at VK as a senior advisor (debarking technology).
Jari Lindén is transitioning to manufacturing development manager and Teemu Nybäck will transition to manufacturing manager. Markku Alapelto has started with VK as the new warehouse manager.
M.Sc. (Eng.) Lari Laakso has started with VK as the new after sales director and member of the management group. Lari has a strong background and many years’ experiences working in similar roles, good examples being Howden Turbo Fans Oy and Marioff Corporation. Sakari Laine, previously responsible for after sales, will continue as a business development director (Finland, Russia, and Baltic countries).
Sami Jokinen and Miro Kuusisto are VK’s new service supervisors for after sales.
Noora Nyman has started with VK as an assistant in the finance department.
Company video
Valon Kone's new company video has been published. See in three minutes who we are.
Appointment News
The below mentioned appointments have been made at Valon Kone’s main office in Finland:
We have strengthened our engineering team in Lohja. A mechanical engineer, Aleksis Niemelä and a senior engineer, Sebastian Buddas have started in their new positions. Both have a strong background and many years’ experience working in the machinery manufacturing industry.
M.Sc. (Tech.) Henrik Wikström (50) has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Valon Kone with effect from June 2020. Henrik has many years’ experience in international business and company management, good examples being Sioen Ballistics and the Savox Group.
Henrik says “I see excellent potential for Valon Kone’s future business development – especially taking into consideration the world-class products, broad sales channels, and the world’s best debarker specialists within the company. Based on this, it is my honour to take the company forward to the next level”.
Tomi Hassinen has been appointed as Vice President and Minttu Ristiniitty as Finance Director.
Metsä Fibre Rauma Sawmill
Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, has begun constructing the most modern sawmill in the world in Rauma, Finland. The value of the investment is approximately 200 MEUR and the production at the sawmill is set to begin during 2022.
Valon Kone has been chosen as the debarker supplier for the project.
From the Finnish press release of Metsä Group: “Valon Kone Oy will supply two debarkers, which will be equipped with one debarking rotor and one butt-end reducing rotor. Feeding of logs into the debarker without a log gap is possible. Safe operation especially has been emphasized in design and construction of the machines.”
New Machining Center for Big Parts - Unisign Uniport 6000
Valon Kone has invested in a new CNC machining center at the production plant in Lohja, Finland.
Uniport 6000 has a vertical carousel turning station and it allows machining of bigger parts of VK debarkers, like rotor rings and ring carrier frames.
