SERGEI SVIRIDENKO 70 YEARS

PONSSE TAKES CARE OF ALL ITS EMPLOYEES

SERGEI SVIRIDENKO:

PONSSE TAKES CARE OF ALL ITS EMPLOYEES

OOO Ponsse’s vice president Sergei Sviridenko celebrated his 70th birthday in January 2021. Many colleagues and partners congratulated the man who has been involved in the development of Ponsse’s operations in Russia from day one. There are hardly any customers or partners in Russia who don’t know Sergei, as he is still devoting all his energy to his work at Ponsse.

Sergei Sviridenko’s distinguished career at Ponsse started in 2005. At the time, Sergei was working in an aluminium factory as an engineer specialising in tractors with extensive experience of demanding design and management duties in the industry. He was also familiar with cooperation with Finnish companies.” ”I might have been a little too hasty in accepting Ville Siekkinen’s job offer, as you can’t really compare forest machinery to agricultural tractors. I had no experience of working in forests, so it was quite difficult at first to work with forestry professionals,” recalls Sergei Sviridenko.

Thanks to hard work, this initial awkwardness was transformed into success and an exceptional tale as OOO Ponsse’s employee. ”Sergei has worked for the company since its founding, so he’s practically the father of OOO Ponsse. His tasks have changed over the years, but the same attitude, efficiency, spirit

and work ethics remain. He’s always wanted to learn and create something new, to develop constantly,” says Jaakko Laurila, OOO Ponsse’s president and CEO, expressing his thanks.

Sergei has actively participated in various projects and efforts over the last 15 years. At first, he wanted to be involved in anything that was related to OOO Ponsse’s operations in Russia. One of his first tasks was to organise servicing for Ponsse’s machinery in Karelia.

BUILDING AND DEVELOPING A SERVICE NETWORK In recent years, Sergei has been busy with various projects in building and developing a service network in Russia. According to Jaakko Laurila, these efforts have resulted in a well-functioning aftersales network in Russia and Belarus. ”The basic principle of our Russian operations is constant development. Sergei has worked tremendously hard to establish professional and modern service centres for both OOO Ponsse and our dealers,” says Jaakko Laurila.

Looking back at his years full of hard work, Sergei selects a couple of his favourite memories. The first visit to Ponsse’s factory in Vieremä during the summer of 2005 was especially interesting for an engineer, as he got to see the production and technologies. ”I still remember meeting Einari Vidgren for the very first time. He was very approachable, which was a surprise to me.” ”Our trip to Mount Elbrus at 5642 metres to celebrate Ponsse’s 40th anniversary was also very memorable. Our expedition of four reached the summit in ten days. It truly tested our resolve, but we were ultimately able to reach the summit.”

Sergei graduated in 1974 from the Leningrad Shipbuilding Institute, majoring in engines in shipbuilding. His professional experience of 30 years between graduation and starting at Ponsse gives him a perspective to analyse the aspects guiding work at Ponsse. ”First, everyone at Ponsse follows the principles set by the company’s founder, Einari Vidgren. The most important of these are working together, honesty and respect for customers. Ponsse treats all employees openly, and every member of the community is looked after.”

Sergei is also grateful for the company’s stable and systematic development. ”For example, despite the difficulties due to Covid-19 in 2020, Jaakko Laurila was able to convince Ponsse’s senior management of the importance of continuing investments in developing service operations in Russia. This proved a great decision, as the prices of construction materials and components have increased dramatically this year.”

HUGE RESPECT FOR COLLEAGUES During his 16-year career, Sergei says that he has above all learned to value his colleagues. At OOO Ponsse, the average age of employees is 36, and almost everyone has a university degree or technical education. Everyone is an expert in their own tasks, and the competence of each team member complements the competence of others.

”In my view, optimal performance is only achieved in work communities of likeminded people. The One Ponsse programme helps us develop communality and take responsibility for given work. Our employees’ excellent expertise builds a solid foundation for the company’s success in international markets.”

Colleagues often ask Sergei, who is still working full time, what the secret of his great health is. One explanation is swimming, skiing and biking regularly. As his greatest achievement, Sergei mentions his family, children and grandchildren, with whom he and his wife, Tatyana, try to spend as much time as possible. ”Ponsse is a family company, and I value good family relationships. This is another reason for my long career at Ponsse,” says Sergei.

Speaking of achievements, OOO Ponsse’s president and CEO Jaakko Laurila emphasises Sergei’s position as an excellent example and role model for Ponsse’s younger employees in Russia. ”Sergei is fully committed to every task and achieves great results. The most interesting tasks and those that bring responsibility are always at the top of his wish list,” says Laurila.

As his greatest achievement, Sergei mentions his family, children and grandchildren.