Ponsse News 2/2023, EN by Ponsse Plc

PONSSE NEWS CUSTOMER AND STAKEHOLDER MAGAZINE 2/2023

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR MECHANICS

BRINGS THE VERY BEST OF PONSSE’S SERVICE MECHANICS TOGETHER PACWEST MACHINERY BECOMES PONSSE’S DEALER

CUSTOMERS ON THE US WEST COAST SERVED EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE USED MACHINES GOING STRONG!

VELJEKSET LEHTOMÄKI

THE 50-YEAR SUCCESS STORY OF A FAMILY BUSINESS

PONSSE NEWS CUSTOMER AND STAKEHOLDER MAGAZINE 2/2023 PUBLISHER

Ponsse Oyj, Ponssentie 22, FI-74200 Vieremä, Finland EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Hanna Lehtonen Ponsse Plc ISSN 2489-9488 (print) ISSN 2489-9496 (online publication) EDITORIAL STAFF

Juho Nummela, Hanna Lehtonen, Juha-Matti Raatikainen, Marika Ryytty, Jarmo Vidgren, Marko Mattila and Jussi Hentunen LAYOUT

Luova Työmaa COVER PHOTO

Ponsse Plc ILLUSTRATIONS (PONSSE KIDS)

Ponsse Plc PRINT

Painotalo Seiska

4 PONSSE MAMMOTH JA SCORPION GIANT

Solutions for responsible forestry 8 PACWEST MACHINERY BECOMES PONSSE’S DEALER 12 THE 50-YEAR SUCCESS STORY OF A FAMILY BUSINESS

Veljekset Lehtomäki family business 16 TOWARDS CARBON NEUTRAL OPERATIONS

PAPER

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EDITORS & CONTENT

20 PONSSE’S INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR MECHANICS 22 USED MACHINES GOING STRONG

Used forest machine is good solution for fast needs 24 PRODUCT UPDATES 25 THE EINARI VIDGRÉN FOUNDATION

Awards forestry professionals for the 18th time.

LOOKING AHEAD

20 29 REIJO PUSKA

Retired after a long career 30 LOGGING NEWS 34 PONSSE KIDS 35 PONSSE COLLECTION

The forest industry is in a challenging situation. The consumption of paper, board and pulp has decreased in the uncertain financial situation, and demand for sawn goods has fallen as construction projects have been suspended. Operations and goals must be straightforward amidst all the changes and difficulties. We need to make decisions that are sustainable in the long term. To keep up with the competition, we need to focus on what is important, make sensible investments, and take good care of our employees and customers. Looking ahead when facing challenges has always come naturally to Ponsse. Investing in research and development and opening the new Epec factory in Seinäjoki are good examples of investments reaching far into the future. In maintenance services, we are investing in a new service centre in Central France, and our dealer network is making significant investments in its service network. The intensified geopolitical tensions have had the most dramatic impact on the We need to look ahead and challenges faced by the forest industry. seek growth in areas where the Expanding to new markets used to be operating environment is stable, practically self-evident, but the world has and business is sustainable. changed. Examples include our decision to discontinue our operations in Russia and Belarus. We had operated in Russia’s markets for more than 20 years, and the discontinuation had a drastic impact on our operations. The decision was a heavy one for the company, both considering our finances and our local personnel. We are now adapting to the current situation. We need to look ahead and seek growth in areas where the operating environment is stable, and business is sustainable. In the United States, we developed our operations exceptionally by entering into a dealer agreement with PacWest Machinery, including the sale of our service centre in Oregon to PacWest. As a result of this partnership, our maintenance service network expanded and we gained new service centres on the West Coast. While we have never made a similar solution before, it was the best possible decision for our customers. Through the partnership, the availability of Ponsse’s services on the West Coast improved, also enabling future growth. Competitiveness is measured during challenging times. Ponsse has always been at its best in challenging situations. Throughout our history, we have developed our operations and believed in what we do. In this global situation as well, I am certain that we are in the correct and growing industry. We also need to look ahead for the future of our employees. Our goal is to provide a safe and motivating work environment for Ponsse’s employees, in which everyone has the opportunity to improve themselves and feel well. Every Ponsse employee is an important part of our working community. The common goal of Ponsse’s employees is to always serve our customers better than before. In the fiercer competitive situation, our customers’ trust in and satisfaction with Ponsse is what matters most. This is at the core of everything we do. JARMO VIDGREN Chairman of the Board

CUSTOMER CASE / PONSSE MAMMOTH AND SCORPION GIANT

NEW SOLUTIONS FOR RESPONSIBLE FORESTRY

PONSSE MAMMOTH SCORPION GIANT POWER IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS

4 PONSSE NEWS

The new solutions for sustainable harvesting have received a warm welcome across the world. PONSSE Scorpion Giant harvesters and Mammoth forwarders have already been delivered to more than ten countries. Productivity, usability and customer feedback have driven the development of the solutions.

PONSSE MAMMOTH

SCORPION GIANT

Equipped with the stepless Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and the K121 loader, PONSSE Mammoth carries both large and small logs easily in difficult terrain. The productivity of Mammoth is at its best over long distances. Less driving is required because more logs can be transported at once. In the forwarder, operator ergonomics has been addressed every step of the way. One of the most prominent new features is the PONSSE Active Seat, available as an option, which is an excellent new product that has been developed with a focus on ergonomics and usability according to forest machine operators’ requests. The new Active Seat improves usability, as it turns and follows the work environment according to crane movements. Mammoth features Active Cabin, Ponsse’s effective cabin suspension system, which has a simple structure and suspends impacts on the cabin. Another feature that improves comfort is the Active Crane loader control system, with which the operator controls harvester head movements instead of individual functions. Active Seat, Active Cabin and Active Crane are optional equipment.

Scorpion Giant includes all the familiar features of the product range, and they have been developed even further, such as the more powerful C50+ crane whose fork boom offers excellent visibility of the logging site, an active levelling and stabilisation system, and increased tractive and lifting power. Scorpion Giant can be equipped with the H8 harvester head or any smaller PONSSE harvester head. The cabin of Scorpion Giant has a one-piece windscreen that extends to the roof of the cabin, offering even better visibility for the operator and ensuring safe working in all conditions. The cabin is like a practical and quiet office with a view, developed to support the operator’s comfort and wellbeing. The new harvester is also equipped with Opti 5G, the most modern user interface on the market. Combined with the Opti 8 computer, it raises the usability of PONSSE forest machines’ information systems to a whole new level. The powerful C50+ crane connected to the Opti 5G information system also enables the installation of the optional PONSSE Harvester Active Crane control system, which offers a new way to control the crane and make work more efficient.

GUNNAR FILTVEDT GM SKOGSDRIFT, RENA, NORWAY Gunnar Filtvedt says that, even though they have not yet been able to unleash the full potential of their Mammoth, it has already proven itself as a true beast! The machine is excellent in difficult terrain. Gunnar’s associate Tommy Nystuen says that Mammoth is an extremely powerful forwarder with a high tractive force, it drives smoothly and comfortably in various terrain conditions, and it has a very powerful crane. Tommy is also happy with the large and spacious cabin. The cabin is a great place to spend the day! Tommy has also been positively surprised by the fuel consumption of Mammoth. Fuel economy is excellent, even when transporting large loads and going uphill.

PONSSE NEWS 5

PONSSE MAMMOTH

CUSTOMER CASE / PONSSE MAMMOTH AND SCORPION GIANT

JORGE LUIS BURGUI FEBLEX PHELOX , URUGUAY “I’ve worked as a forest machine operator since 2006 and driven nothing but Ponsse’s machines. I’ve been using the PONSSE Mammoth forwarder for two months now. Compared with previous PONSSE forwarders, Mammoth brought along two significant changes, the load-bearing capacity being one of them. There’s much more room for wood in the load space, and even more than that when driving in even terrain. This machine is also much faster than any other machine I’ve driven. Another major change is the cabin equipped with the Active Cabin system, which adds luxurious comfort to each day and suspends practically every impact in uneven terrain. These two changes raise productivity to an incredible level.”

6 PONSSE NEWS

VALDINE LIMA DE AMORIM NETO SUZANO, BRAZIL “We’re now operating here at the São Paulo. We got the machine at the end of last year, so we have seven months of user experience with excellent result. It’s a very robust machine! It comes with a differential, which has high productivity and speed. It exceeds our expectations based on the equipment we have today. So PONSSE Mammoth has brought very competitive results to our harvesting. In São Paulo, we have a perception that transfer distances are shorter, with high productivity in relation to other manufacturers. Our expectation is also that we will use this machine where we have greater transfer distances, as we believe it can further increase this asset’s potential. Nowadays, we think about harvest efficiency, which compensates productivity with fuel costs. One of our biggest expenses in the forestry area today is fuel. So this machine comes with high productivity and low fuel consumption. That’s what we’ve noticed during the asset’s life. It’s making our harvest increasingly competitive.”

ELLIOT HENDERSON, SCOTLAND “I’ve operated Scorpion Giant for six months now, and it feels really good! The harvester makes working on steep slopes really easy. Thanks to more lifting power and the H8 harvester head, the harvester can easily handle even the largest logs and also has a good reach to the side. After I started at Elliot Henderson, I first worked with Ergo and Bear, and I was given the first Scorpion in 2014. It was replaced by Scorpion King in 2019 and Scorpion Giant this year.”

SCORPION GIANT

STEPHEN ”TOMMY” THOMPSON

MICHAEL ALDRIAN GERALD KOCH GMBH, SCHWANBERG, AUSTRIA Michael Aldrian has operated a PONSSE Scorpion Giant for roughly six months in Austria. The harvester was delivered in April this year, and it has already logged more than 600 engine hours. “The harvester features various good properties, including excellent visibility towards the harvester head and work area. Scorpion Giant is also extremely stable when working. The PONSSE H7 harvester head is fast and strong, from the smaller trees to the largest trees. I would also like to add that the Opti 5G computer is clear and easy to use.”

PONSSE NEWS 7

PONSSE NETWORK / PACWEST MACHINERY BECOMES PONSSE’S DEALER

Ponsse is the market leader in rubber-wheeled harvesters and forwarders in the US.

PACWEST MACHINERY BECOMES PONSSE’S DEALER

CUSTOMERS ON THE US WEST COAST SERVED EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE Ponsse’s services on the West Coast of the United States will be stronger than before after Ponsse and PacWest Machinery signed a dealer agreement from the beginning of September. Cooperation has started well, and services have been strengthened in the region.

s a result of the dealer agreement, PacWest is now the exclusive dealer for the sale and services of PONSSE forest machines and harvester heads in the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho on the West Coast of the United States. Through the partnership, Ponsse’s service centre in Coburg, Oregon, and its operations, property, machine and spare parts stocks, as well as training range, have been transferred to PacWest. “We are excited to become a partner with Ponsse across the greater Pacific Northwest,” says Andy Wold, CEO of PacWest Machinery. “Ponsse has the industry-leading CTL platform, a commitment to excellent customer support, and a ”One Ponsse” way

8 PONSSE NEWS

of approaching the market that we have admired for some time. We are looking forward to partnering with Ponsse and the forest industry.” “PacWest helps us grow and expand on the West Coast. They have a strong will to develop further and are very committed to the forest industry – just like us. An established and well-functioning network in the West will bring Ponsse’s services even closer to our customers in the region,” says Pekka Ruuskanen, Managing Director of Ponsse North America, Inc. PacWest Machinery is a US company, part of the family-owned Joshua Green Corporation, specialising mainly in sale and aftermarket support of general production equipment, road machinery and aggregate

We are excited to become a partner with Ponsse across the greater Pacific Northwest. – Andy Wold, CEO of PacWest Machinery

The Ponsse service centre in Coburg, Oregon, serves customers the same way as before

processing systems. The company has sales and service centres in Spokane, Seattle, Portland, Mount Vernon, Pasco and Eugene. In recent years, PacWest has expanded significantly on the US West Coast, and it is also an official Volvo and Metso dealer in Oregon, Washington and North Idaho. SERVICE NETWORK STRENGTHENED EVEN FURTHER

In the West, Ponsse now provides services for its customers in six locations in place of the previous one. For customers, this means shorter distances to maintenance locations. “While we want to expand and grow our operations in the US, the country is massive, and we cannot invest everywhere. As a result of this cooperation, our service network expanded significantly on the West Coast. This was particularly good news for our customers in Washington and Idaho, as they were previously a long way from the Coburg service centre. With PacWest, we now have four new locations in Washington and more field service technicians, meaning shorter distances and even quicker services,” says Samuel Vidgrén, Area Manager for the Ponsse dealer network in the US. Ponsse provides its customers in the US with services through a growing dealer network. Currently, three Ponsse dealers operate in the region: PacWest, Chadwick-BaRoss Inc., and Kleis Equipment LLC. Ponsse’s subsidiary Ponsse North America Inc. provides services in the Great Lakes region and southern parts of the country. PacWest covers the Northwest and Chadwick BaRoss the Northeast, while Kleis Equipment provides services for customers in the New York region. In total, Ponsse has 28 maintenance outlets in the United States.

“The development of our network never stops. For example, we’re planning to expand our service facility in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and the spare parts warehouse and shipping area in the Rhinelander, Wisconsin location. These improvements will benefit Ponsse’s outlets and dealers, as well as official maintenance partners in the north. We’re also investing in training. With PacWest, we will have more people to provide training and better facilities and training equipment,” says Samuel Vidgrén. “The partnership with PacWest offered us a unique opportunity to grow. Ponsse wants to provide its customers with the best customer experience, and this partnership helps us keep this promise even better than before,” Ruuskanen says. “CUSTOMERS WILL BE SERVED JUST LIKE BEFORE”

For PacWest, which is part of a familyowned company, the wellbeing of employees is a priority, just as it is for Ponsse. Even though the Coburg, Oregon operation has a new owner, the focus on ensuring a good work environment has not changed. “The former Ponsse employees in the Oregon territory have been welcomed into the PacWest team,” Wold says. “We have spent the early weeks getting to know each other, and already providing the training needed to maintain and expand services in the Pacific Northwest.” Steve Baker, Service Supervisor, was one of the Ponsse employees working at the Coburg service centre who transferred to PacWest. “While being a part of Ponsse North America was a great experience, I am also excited to see how we can now accelerate our customer services throughout the larger territory,” commented Baker.

The partnership with PacWest offered us a unique opportunity to grow. – Pekka Ruuskanen, Managing Director, Ponsse North America Inc.

While being a part of Ponsse North America was a great experience, I am also excited to see how we can now accelerate our customer services throughout the larger territory – Steve Baker, PacWest Machinery Service Supervisor

We now have four new locations in Washington and more field service technicians, meaning shorter distances and even quicker services. – Samuel Vidgren, Area Manager for the Ponsse dealer network in the US

PONSSE NEWS 9

PONSSE NETWORK / PACWEST MACHINERY BECOMES PONSSE’S DEALER

One Ponsse spirit! Ponsse and PacWest at the US Pacific Logging Congress in September 2023.

ATTRACTIVE MARKETS IN THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES

The US markets have a lot of potential for cut-to-length harvesting technology. The country’s corporate-friendly atmosphere offers a lucrative environment in the forest machine markets, and Ponsse’s machine fleet is growing steadily in the area. The southern parts of the country, in which the environmentally friendly CTL method is not yet as popular as the tree-length method, offer attractive potential for growth. At the end of last year, Ponsse North America, Inc. opened a new service centre near Tallahassee,

PACWEST MACHINERY

• PacWest Machinery mainly specialises in sale and customer support for general production equipment, road machinery and aggregate processing systems. • Its head office is in Kent, Washington. • PacWest also operates as a sales and service dealer for Volvo and Metso equipment in Oregon, Washington and North Idaho. • The company has sales and service centres in Spokane, Seattle, Portland, Mount Vernon, Pasco and Eugene. • PacWest is part of the Joshua Green Corporation, a private family-owned company established in the 1890s.

10 PONSSE NEWS

Florida. The expansion was Ponsse’s response to growing demand for sawn goods and the increase in machine sales in the region. Overall demand for sawn goods in the US has decreased slightly as a result of global inflation and rising interest rates. In addition, the pulp and paper markets have slowed. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel in the housing markets. The future of apartment builders is looking particularly bright. It seems that there is demand especially for affordable new houses. This trend was shown earlier in 2023, when the number of new houses increased.

PONSSE IN THE UNITED STATES

• Ponsse North America, Inc, established in 1995, is Ponsse’s subsidiary in the United States. • Ponsse North America Inc. has 84 employees and is headquartered in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. It has maintenance outlets in Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. • Ponsse has three dealers in the US: PacWest, Chadwick-BaRoss Inc. and Kleis Equipment LLC. • Ponsse has 28 maintenance outlets serving customers in the US • Ponsse is the market leader in rubber-wheeled harvesters and forwarders in the US.

PONSSE IN THE UNITED STATES Steve Self-Repair Central Point, OR Service Dealer

PacWest Coburg, OR Portland, OR Spokane, WA Seattle, WA Eugene, OR Pasco, WA Mount Vernon, WA

PNA Sales

PNA Headquarters Rhinelander, WI

PNA Branch Grand Rapids, MN

CA AZ

Paul Estabrooks Minnesota North Dakota South Dakota

IA IL

PA WV

South Windsor, CT

DE MD

SC GA

LA Ponsse locations and active machines

FL HI

RI CT

Bangor, ME Lancaster, NH Westbrook, ME Concord, NH Chelmsford, MA

TN MS

Chadwick-Baross ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT

MA WI

Jouni Viitikka PacWest Support

PNA Branch Gaylord, MI

Caribou, ME

NH VT

PNA Branch Gladstone, MI

Kleis Equipment, Constantia, NY

Kyle’s Repair Park Falls, WI Service Dealer

Arnie’s Repair Inc. Hayward, WI Service Dealer

Jim Charlier Southern USA

Sean Vann Montana Wyoming Nevada Utah Colorado Arizona New Mexico Alaska

Berg Service Tigerton, WI Service Dealer

Jim Charlier Eastern U.P. MI Eastern WI

John Holmes Northwestern WI Western U.P. MI

Tim Eastman Equipment Repair Castle Rock, WA Service Dealer

Road Runner Repair Boyd, WI Service Dealer

Andres Camargo Southwestern WI Bruce Broden Lower MI Ohio Pennsylvania

Viking Diesel, Poulsbo, WA Service Dealer

Equipment Linc Inc. Alabama Service Dealer

Active machines

PNA Branch Midway, FL

Through the partnership between Ponsse and PacWest, Ponsse now operates in 16 states in the US.

WELCOME TO THE PONSSE NETWORK,

KYLE REPAIR!

This spring, Ponsse North America Inc. signed a dealer agreement on spare parts and maintenance services with Kyle Repair LLC. There was a demand for a new spare parts and maintenance outlet, especially in Northwest Wisconsin. Kyle Repair operates in Park Falls, Wisconsin, and is an excellent addition to Ponsse’s maintenance network in the northern parts of the US. Kyle Repair employs eight full-time professionals, two of whom work in spare parts, and four in maintenance operations. It also has one trainee working in daily activities. Customer services are provided by two crane-equipped maintenance vehicles. Mark Kyle, the owner of Kyle Repair, started his career working as a mechanic. Later, he also worked as a service manager, and he had dealers in Whitehall and Durand, Wisconsin. However, for the last seven years, Mark has worked in the Park Falls region. Mark believes that high-quality customer and aftersales services pay dividends. After all, his motto is: “Quality service sells!”

Mark Kyle, Kyle Repair LLC

PONSSE NEWS 11

CUSTOMER STORY / VELJEKSET LEHTOMÄKI

VELJEKSET LEHTOMÄKI

THE 50-YEAR SUCCESS STORY OF A FAMILY BUSINESS “Finland lives from the forest – and so do we” is the leading idea behind Veljekset Lehtomäki. The hard work of the three brothers and their trust in their shared vision have been the family-owned company’s driving forces on its successful journey, which PONSSE forest machines joined roughly twenty years ago. Major forest industry investments in Central Finland increase faith in the future.

W Hard work and trust in what the company does have been key success factors from the very beginning. Markku Lehtomäki on a load.

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hen the key employees of Veljekset Lehtomäki, a company specialising in forest contracting, gather around the same table, they have volumes of vision and experience to share about entrepreneurship and mechanical harvesting. After fifty years, these men continue to be driven by faith in what they do and trust in the future of the forest industry in Finland. Brothers Erkki, Markku and Pertti Lehtomäki established the company in 1973 and continue to play an active role in the company’s operations. The next generation is represented by Erkki’s sons Jani and Marko Lehtomäki, Markku’s son Jari Lehtomäki, who operates a PONSSE Scorpion, and his sister Katja Lehtomäki, who works in the head office. Having reached the admirable age of 50 years, Veljekset Lehtomäki has grown organically and sensibly. It also provides forklift services for Multian Saha Oy. The company employs some 40 professionals and is owned by the founding brothers and their children.

Jyri Palojärvi (on the left) is one of Veljekset Lehtomäki’s skilled and experienced operators. The company’s key employees Marko, Pertti and Jani Lehtomäki are also in the photo.

“As an old man, I really can’t see us having a hundred machines. Of course, we could grow more quickly by acquiring other businesses, but we haven’t gone down that road. Younger people will make these decisions later,” Pertti Lehtomäki says. FIVE PONSSES THROUGH A SINGLE DEAL

Over the decades, the company’s machines have operated in the forests of Central Finland, especially in the regions of Multia, Keuruu, Petäjävesi and most recently in Ähtäri. New contracting opportunities opened up slowly, including with Metsäliitto, and relationships with major forest corporations started to stabilise. Currently, the company’s key customers are UPM-Kymmene and Metsä Group. The company was engaged in mechanical harvesting with Ponsse’s competitors until 2004, when it acquired its first PONSSE forest machine. After cooperation and contact with a former machine manufacturer started to dwindle, it was time for a change. Eventually, the brothers decided to buy five PONSSE machines through a single deal.

PONSSE FOREST MACHINES OPERATED BY VELJEKSET LEHTOMÄKI

• •

• • •

24 PONSSE machines: 12 forwarders and 12 harvesters. All four Scorpions are equipped with the H6 harvester head. Two Ergos feature the H8 harvester head. The forwarder range consists of Wisent, Elk, Buffalo, Elephant and Bison. All machines are covered by the PONSSE Active Care service agreement. The next two new machines will be delivered in October 2023.

PONSSE NEWS 13

CUSTOMER PONSSE SOLUTIONS STORY / VELJEKSET / PONSSE RAHOITUSRATKAISUT LEHTOMÄKI Jani, Pertti and Marko Lehtomäki at the company’s repair shop, where most contractual maintenance work is carried out.

An excellent team spirit is the cornerstone of everything we do. From the very beginning, we have expended our energy on developing the company, not on sowing discord. Luckily, we have good professionals around us to support the whole.

Jarmo Vidgrén, the current Chair of the Board of Directors, represented Ponsse, in closing the first deal. After the agreement was finalised over several hours at Pertti’s home, they celebrated the deal later in the sauna. The young salesperson seemed a little nervous, and Pertti asked him about the authorisation given to him for the negotiations. “My father told me to close the deal,” Jarmo answered. That was exactly what was done. FOREST OWNERS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMERS

Before the company was officially established, the then very young brothers transported trees directly from the forest to the local sawmill using a tractor and a self-made trailer. Pertti Lehtomäki remembers that they were even able to carry six loads a day. “Those were quite eventful times with the equipment we were using, and I don’t think everything was exactly legal. But that was

14 PONSSE NEWS

what it was like back then, and we didn’t pay much attention to it.” It was no wonder that the manager of the sawmill suggested that the young men buy their own forest machine. According to Pertti, the idea was probably to improve not only occupational safety but also efficiency. The brothers operated their used machine practically round the clock and changed shifts on the fly. Experience has shown that good relationships with landowners are key in productive business. They come in all shapes and sizes: there are professionally run funds, and then there are people who live somewhere else but own a small piece of land where they like to go to pick berries or sit around a campfire. “It’s important to listen to everyone’s wishes and respect their forest assets – after all, our work is a lot like asset management. Half a day’s harvesting project comes as a routine to us, but it may be a one-of-a-kind event for a forest owner who lives in a city,

in which they want to participate,” say Pertti, Marko and Jani Lehtomäki, describing their principles. FROM LOGGING SCHOOL TO WORKING IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS

Jani and Marko Lehtomäki, second-generation loggers, travelled the same path to join the company, but with a three-year age difference. After they completed “logging school”, or forest machine operator studies, in Jämsänkoski, they started to work as operators in a familiar environment. They say that the selection came naturally to them and was all they could think about. “We’ve been here since we were little kids, and we’ve done everything there is, starting from mopping the garage floor,” Jani says. “When I was a small boy, I always wanted to go with my father and used to sleep on the machine floor while he was working. Sometimes I’ve wondered whether it would

have been easier if I’d worked somewhere else, but who knows,” Marko says. Still working as an operator, Jani switched to a harvester at the turn of the millennium. Marko has worked as a planning manager since the early 2000s when forest companies started to assign planning projects to contractors. He plans logging sites, selects stands, and controls wood flows and grades based on customer orders. “We’ve tried to learn everything we can from the founders – also that it’s often important to think ahead, not just after the event.” Jani and Marko say. Since the first deal in 2004, Veljekset Lehtomäki has only purchased its machines from Ponsse, and according to Pertti, their cooperation has been smooth and productive. The link to the customer is straightforward, and responsibilities are not delegated from one person to the next. “With Ponsse, everything gets done, and no one says “this isn’t part of my job”. I appreciate how they bear their responsibility. I’d been monitoring Ponsse’s story for quite some time, and it felt like a good home for us.” Working at the controls of an Ergo, Jani says that forest machines have taken huge leaps forward. Their development has especially been driven by IT. “Nothing revolutionary is expected in the technical properties of machines in the near future, but the use of intelligence is proceeding rapidly. Where the focus of development used to be on components, it is now on software,” he says about his experiences. Attitudes, working methods and sustainability requirements have also made massive progress in the forest industry. Veljekset Lehtomäki already considers environmental factors when planning harvesting operations. “Common sense dictates that it’s important to address streams, retention trees and the rest of the environment. The industry has changed a lot in a good way,” Pertti says.

Marko Lehtomäki says that it is easier to breathe at the office when the company has good operators and other skilled professionals.

Jani Lehtomäki says that Ponsse listens closely to ideas, and its research and development unit is close to customers.

FOCUS ON DEVELOPING THE COMPANY

Einari Vidgrén used to believe that machine operators were the best experts, and their feedback should be taken seriously in R&D. The Lehtomäki brothers have played their part in helping Ponsse make the world’s best forest machines even better and more efficient tools for their operators. Pertti and Jani say that, according to its promise, Ponsse listens to its customers, and R&D has a genuinely close link to machine operators. “For example, the nylon slide pads of extensions were replaced by bearings as we suggested, and the R&D unit was able to start serial production in under a year. This solution helped reduce fuel consumption by 0.7 litres per hour,” says Pertti, the father of this and many other ideas. The founding brothers have always felt comfortable working in the same company. Every ounce of energy has been spent on developing the company, not on sowing discord. The excellent team spirit and mutual trust come from the brothers’ early years: their father passed away at the age of only 39 due to a sudden illness, and the brothers had to stick together and bear responsibilities despite

Multian Saha, as shown behind Pertti Lehtomäki, has been an important customer for decades.

their young age. “The oldest of us was 17 when our father died. We had a small piece of land at home. When I was 18, we established our company and purchased our first machine. We didn’t have much money, but two local men guaranteed our loan. Without their trust, I don’t know how things would have gone,” Pertti says with gratitude in his voice.

PONSSE NEWS 15

RESPONSIBILITY / MAKING OUR OPERATIONS CARBON NEUTRAL

MAKING OUR OPERATIONS

PARTN

E R

IN SUSTA

LE FOR

CARBON NEUTRAL

At the beginning of this year, Ponsse’s first emissions reduction goals were set for Scope 1 and 2 emissions (our operations and purchased energy). Our goal is to achieve carbon neutrality in our production operations regarding Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025, and carbon neutrality in all our operations in the Nordic countries, as well as emissions reductions of 55% throughout Ponsse Group by 2035. In practice, this translates to emissions reductions of roughly 5% per year.

chieving these emissions reduction goals requires the support of various calculations and the collection of diverse data. A couple of years ago, when Ponsse set carbon neutrality as its goal for the future, both in our operations and product solutions, not many at Ponsse were familiar with the idea, and we did not know what our emissions were at the time. We calculated our Group’s emissions for the first time in 2021 for 2020 and 2019. In only two years, Ponsse has also experienced rapid development in climate activities. We are more conscious of our impact on the climate, the roadmap of our climate programme is clarifying all the time, and the theme is discussed at all levels of our organisation. Even though our company’s managers

16 PONSSE NEWS

make decisions on our target state, the programme’s success depends on the daily work and decisions of every employee. As climate change is in the news nearly every day, it is a relevant and important theme to all of us.

38%

lower carbon footprint than in the first round of calculations in 2019.

WE ARE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

In 2022, Ponsse’s carbon footprint (Scope 1 and 2) decreased by 1% to 4,310 t CO2-eq. This was due to the fact that our activities and we added two new areas to the calculation Ponsse Chile and Ponsse Czech. However, we are heading in the right direction. After all, compared to our initial carbon footprint calculated in 2019, the drop was 38% from the previous year. Our carbon footprint relative to the scope of our operations was an even better success than our total emissions reductions. Regardless of the increase in business operations, our carbon footprint relative to net sales, i.e. our emission intensity, fell by 20% from the previous year to 5.7 t CO2-eq. per EUR million.

Carbon footprint by region, t CO2-eq.

Carbon footprint by source, t CO2-eq.

827 South America

1,066 North America

55 Refrigerant leaks

1,931 Northern Europe

73 Asia

412 Central and Southern Europe

457 Heat

407 Other use of fuels

172 Electricity

2,597 Use of vehicles

622 Test drive operations and use of work machines

Carbon-neutral energy means energy generated using renewable energy sources, including bioenergy, and nuclear power. In 2022, the share of carbon neutral (Scope 2) energy in our electricity and heating increased to 89.3%.

The majority of our carbon footprint comes from Scope 1 emissions caused by our operations, accounting for 85% of total emissions. The percentage of fossil fuels was significant in the results. Of our emissions, 60% came from the use of vehicles, 14% from the test drive process for manufactured forest machines, and 11% from heating. Geographically, the most significant part of our carbon footprint came from Northern Europe (45%) and North America (25%). We have reduced the carbon footprint of our production by 90% since 2019. The switch to renewable energy and district heating from renewable energy sources and the use of the renewable diesel have reduced emissions. In 2022, the carbon footprint of Ponsse Group’s factories was 259 t CO2-eq., representing a decrease of 4% compared to the previous year. When we talk about a carbon-neutral factory, we mean our production operations that do not include the test drive process for manufactured forest machines or the use of our vehicles, and when we talk about our factories, we mean our forest machine manufacturing operations in Vieremä and the production of our technology company Epec Oy in Seinäjoki. It is obvious that our most significant environmental impact comes from the use of the products we manufacture. They are

included in Scope 3 emissions, i.e. emissions companies cause indirectly through their value chains. We have not yet set any goals for Scope 3 emissions, as we will only calculate them for the first time next year. In our research and development activities, we are working constantly to reduce the fuel consumption of forest machines and develop carbon-neutral power sources. A year ago, Ponsse introduced the PONSSE EV1 forwarder, an electric forest machine concept, which leads the way for the development of forest machine technologies. ENERGY CONSUMPTION

In 2022, Ponsse Group’s total energy consumption (including fuel) was 39.0 GWh, of which 56.5% came from renewable energy sources. Compared to the previous year, our consumption and the share of renewable energy both increased by 2%. Of our electricity consumption, 12.9 GWh, or 95%, came from renewable energy sources. The electricity consumed in our locations in Finland was 100% guarantee-of-origin hydropower. In the carbon neutrality roadmap, energy savings measures play the leading role. Currently, a new factory is being built for our technology company Epec in Seinäjoki, in which energy efficiency has already been ad-

We have reduced the carbon footprint of our production by

90%

dressed from the very first steps of the design process. The factory roof will be fitted with 400 solar panels to produce electricity, heating systems will be based on geothermal heat, and the factory will be equipped with heat recovery systems and solutions that reduce the need for cooling energy. All purchased electricity and heat will come from renewable energy sources.The goal is for the new factory to be carbon neutral during its operations. In addition to the Epec factory in Seinäjoki in Finland, we will also install solar panels in Ponsse’s other locations in Finland this year – Kouvola, Jyväskylä, Mikkeli, Joensuu and the Iisalmi logistics and service centre. All the 884 solar panels are expected to generate roughly 294 MWh of electricity per year. The addition of solar panels is expected to quadruple our own electricity production.

PONSSE NEWS 17

INNOVAATIO / METALLINKIERRÄTYS PONSSE COBRA

PONSSELAINEN / JEAN SIONNEAU

PONSSE NETWORK / PONSSE’S INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

PONSSE’S INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR MECHANICS

THE COMPETITION FOR MECHANICS BROUGHT THE VERY BEST OF PONSSE’S SERVICE MECHANICS TO FINLAND The service mechanics of Ponsse and its dealers battled it out to see who was best. Consisting of various maintenance tasks, the competition was extremely close, and the first place was shared by two mechanics for the first time.

he first place in Ponsse’s international competition for mechanics was shared by Mike Froelich from the US and Andre Rorke from South Africa. “I couldn’t even imagine that the competition was going so well!” said Mike Froelich, service mechanic at Ponsse North America, after being given his prize. “I tried to do my best. While the tasks involved regular maintenance, the time limit made them a challenge,” he said. Froelich shared first place with Andre Rorke, service mechanic at M.T.S. Parts, Ponsse’s dealer in South Africa. Marko Sopanen from Konehuolto Sopanen Oy, Ponsse’s contractual service partner, came third. In the competition, service mechanics from Ponsse and its subsidiaries, contractual service partners and dealers

battled it out to see who was best. The competition was held for the fifth time after a break of a few years. This year’s competition was held in hot Iisalmi in Finland at the beginning of June. A COMPETITION THAT CHALLENGES AND TEACHES YOU

This year’s competition had 15 participants who came to Iisalmi from 14 different countries. “Many of our subsidiaries and dealers held local pre-competitions to select the best service mechanic to compete in Finland. While this is a competition, this is also a good place to learn something new quickly from challenging tasks and get to know other Ponsse’s mechanics from across the world,” says Jarkko Koponen, Service

We ensure we have skilled and professional employees through regular training and job rotation opportunities. We support voluntary training, including degree programmes.

20 PONSSE NEWS

The winners in the front: from the left, Marko Sopanen, Mike Froelich and Andre Rorke. 15 mechanics from 14 countries participated.

Training Coordinator at Ponsse. “This competition is significant in demonstrating the important work done by service mechanics and considering their motivation, as they have the opportunity to participate in such an event,” says Terho Tanskanen, Service Manager at Ponsse. FROM DAILY MAINTENANCE TO CHALLENGING TROUBLESHOOTING

The competition consists of a written test and practical tasks. The tasks measure skills ranging from machine maintenance to more challenging troubleshooting situations. The time limit for completing each task ranges from 30 to 45 minutes. “The time was an irrelevant factor in scoring, as the judges watched each performance closely to evaluate each competitor,” Koponen says.

“Very nervous and anxious, but happy – and I hope I can bring home new experiences. We had a competition in Chile, and I was the one to be sent here to compete,” says mechanic Ivan Salvo from Ponsse Chile.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM COLLEAGUES

The competitors were also able to visit the Vieremä factory. All in all, the competition offered a wonderful opportunity to learn something new. “It was great to meet other service mechanics from different parts of the world and share thoughts about our work and Ponsse’s solutions,” says Mike Froelich. “It is wonderful to learn all the different ways in which maintenance tasks can be carried out,” says Marko Sopanen who came third in the competition. Ylä-Savo Vocational College has partnered with the competition from the very beginning. Ponsse is engaged in cooperation with Ylä-Savo Vocational College in many ways, this competition being one of them.

Andreas Skog from Ponsse AB says that the competition has been both fun and challenging. “I’m here for the experience! It’s great to meet colleagues from around the world,” he adds.

PONSSE NEWS 21

PONSSE SOLUTIONS / USED MACHINES

USED MACHINES GOING G ST The trade in used forest machines has increased in popularity. Inspected, serviced and cheaper machines in good condition can quickly begin productive work. After a reliable customer relationship, even the previous number of working hours of the machine does not cause fear.

escribing current forest machine sales in Finland in brief, Finnish companies purchase new machines, and used machines recognised on the balance sheet of companies that sell new machines are traded to other countries, say in the Baltics or Europe. While used machines also remain in Finland to extend their careers, Finnish customers mainly prefer new machines. Recent years have reshaped the mindset of many entrepreneurs: the global coronavirus pandemic followed by the war in Ukraine with its far-reaching consequences

One of eighteen. Currently, PH-Forest has 18 machines, 17 of which are PONSSEs. Of these, seven are Scorpions.

22 PONSSE NEWS

has resulted not only in radically extended delivery times but also in higher prices for every forest machine manufacturer. A used forest machine in good condition has also become an even more attractive option for contractors who have normally purchased their machines new. LOOKING FOR USED MACHINES

For PH-Forest Oy based in Korpilahti, the purchase of PONSSE forest machines, either new or used depending on the situation, has been an extended tradition, and the 18-machine company has not been forced to choose due to the current situation. Pasi Hynynen from PH-Forest says that this practice has been a particularly good one when increasing the size of the company. “When we’ve added machines to our fleet, we’ve usually started with a used machine and then changed it for a new one after a few years,” Pasi says. The most recently added used machine is a Scorpion King dating back a few years, which was originally acquired as a leased machine. “Shortly afterwards I decided to buy it, and we eventually ended up purchasing three used Scorpions during the autumn and winter,” Pasi says. Currently, used machine sales are thriving, and quick decisions and a keen eye are required. “Whenever we’re in a situation where we require a new machine, I contact Pekka Rajala, Ponsse’s area sales manager in Jyväskylä. He then starts to look for the perfect option for us,” Hynynen says.

TRONG!

Holding the controls. Pasi Hynynen started as a forest machine entrepreneur in the Jyväskylä region in 2006, and now PH-Forest operates 18 machines and uses subcontractors when required. Pasi Hynynen has operated forest machines since 1998.

PONSSE NEWS 23

PONSSE SOLUTIONS / USED MACHINES

“Delivery times have been quite long in recent years,” says Pasi Hynynen. “But it’s not the only reason. I believe that a used machine in good condition is the right choice, in forwarders and harvesters alike, to boost a company’s growth. It’s a lightweight investment compared to a new machine, and when it’s time to change, we’ve received reasonable amounts for trade-in machines,” Pasi says, describing the reasons underlying their decision. GROWN IN VIEREMÄ

Currently, PH-Forest operates 18 machines, and it uses subcontractors whenever required. Ponsse is clearly the number one brand, as the company has three Ergos, seven Scorpions, two Elks and five Buffalos. This makes a total of 17, with one machine from another brand. “I was born and raised in Vieremä, right next to the factory,” Pasi says. “As my father worked for nearly 40 years at Ponsse, it was the only brand for us,” he laughs. Pasi’s own active forest machine career started in 1998 when he was 16 years old. “I started by operating a forwarder,” Hynynen remembers. “In 2006, I started my own business here in the Jyväskylä region and signed an agreement for one harvester with the Päijänne forest management association,” he continues. In only 16 years, the company has grown considerably. Its current contractual partners are Versowood, JPJ-Wood Oy’s Korkeakoski-based sawmill, and still today the Päijänne forest management association. The company operates within a radius of 100 kilometres from Korpilahti in central Finland, and its harvesters are operated in one shift, and forwarders in two.

24 PONSSE NEWS

Growth from used machines. At PHForest, the purchase of used machines in good condition has been found to be a good way to increase the machine stock.

TRUST AND EXPERIENCE

When we get back to talking about used machines, Hynynen underlines the trust between the seller and customer. “Although the range of machine sellers is broad, I’ve always turned to my go-to seller. As it’s always been easy and effective to work with Ponsse and Pekka Rajala, there’s been no reason to look elsewhere,” Pasi says. However, personal expertise and knowledge of machines have always been part of every deal. “Having operated Scorpions since 2015, you know what to look for, and you can also evaluate each machine based on its history.”

When it comes to harvesters, Pasi Hynynen considers the harvester head to be a good indicator of the machine’s overall condition. “The harvester head model and how it’s been used say a lot – the tree sizes it’s been used with and the parts that have become worn,” he says. This information speaks volumes for the machine’s history and possibly its future. “Of course, when you buy a machine, you also learn about its maintenance history and its previous operations. Often, it also helps if you know who the machine’s previous owner was,” Pasi says. As a rule, it’s easier to buy machines whose previous owners have a reputation of being diligent and meticulous. For example, Pasi says that the currently operating Scorpion is a good-condition forest machine. PROPERLY RECONDITIONED

As another key factor that helps seal the deal, Hynynen mentions Ponsse’s reconditioning operations for used machines, which means not only that machines are reconditioned, but also that they are re-equipped whenever a customer requires something new. Of course, you can always fix machines yourself, but according to Hynynen, having a machine checked reliably and professionally before buying it is also profitable for future operations. Pasi also finds the purchase of a used machine to be profitable in a broader sense. When a deal can be sealed quickly, a high-quality used machine offers leverage and flexibility, both financially and when facing the pressure of long delivery times and operational growth.

PRODUCT UPGRADES

PONSSE OPTI 5G The updated software version serves the operator even better

The updated software version of PONSSE OPTI 5G (2.0.18) entered into production in June 2023. It features several new and improved product properties that enable, among others: • working with a harvester also when the map view is active; • selecting new languages in the user interface; • changing inches as the measurement unit; • entering additional information for felled stems if a stem is rotten or damaged by insects, for example. This information can be used when reporting the extent and spread of insect damage, among other things. • New adjustments have been added to Active Crane to fine-tune operations to meet the requirements set by the operator and terrain conditions. All improvements and new product properties serve to make the operator’s work easier and more effective and productive. Currently, PONSSE Opti 5G covers all Ponsse’s market areas for harvesters. Version 2.0 will be updated in all PONSSE forest machines delivered with 5G.

PONSSE SCORPION SECOND LIFE – A PROGRAMME FOR USED SCORPION AND SCORPION KING MACHINES. WARRANTY

checkpoints

months

WARRANTY

1,000 hours

PONSSE THE EINARI PARTS VIDGRÉN ONLINE FOUNDATION / AWARDS

THE EINARI VIDGRÉN FOUNDATION

REWARDS FORESTRY PROFESSIONALS FOR THE 18TH TIME Each year, the Einari Vidgrén Foundation rewards forest industry professionals. This year, the Einari Award, the Einari Vidgrén Foundation’s key recognition, was given to Heikki Ahola from H.A. Forest Oy, and Arvo and Markku Manninen from Koneurakointi Veljekset Manninen Ky. “Thousands of professionals with first-rate expertise work in our forests. The standard set for forest management and harvesting is being raised all the time – we all bear responsibility for responsible and sustainable forest management. In our selections, we wanted to emphasise professional and comprehensive activities. Our recognitions were also given to professionals who, through their activities, have spread a

26 PONSSE NEWS

positive message about the forest sector,” says Juha Vidgren, Chair of the Einari Vidgrén Foundation. EINARI AWARD

The Einari Award, the Einari Vidgrén Foundation’s key recognition, was given to Heikki Ahola from H.A. Forest Oy, and Arvo and Markku Manninen from Koneurakointi Veljekset

The award recipients and Juha Vidgrén, Chair of the Foundation (on the right), at the award ceremony in Vieremä on 7 June. In addition to the recognitions, the Foundation gave Einari Operator’s Awards to 52 distinguished forest machine operators.

Manninen Ky. This year’s criteria emphasised professional and comprehensive activities and maintaining a high level of quality. Heikki Ahola’s company, H.A. Forest Oy, has grown from a business operating a single forwarder into a regional company that has extensive responsibilities and employs almost 50 people with its partner companies. The company’s guiding values are social, ecological and financial sustainability, as well as the production of added value for customers. H.A. Forest Oy has worked with Stora Enso and Kimmo Kulojärvi Oy to develop operator training. In addition, Heikki Ahola has participated in public dialogue in media services, presenting the forest sector in a positive light. Koneurakointi Veljekset Manninen Ky is a company with a long history. It is engaged in reliable and high-quality environmentally friendly activities. The company works with the persistence that is characteristic of the region of Kainuu and does exactly what it promises. Arvo and Markku’s father Hannes started as a contractor in the 1960s. The company continues in Hannes Manninen Ky’s footsteps and is a shareholder of Forest Logistics Oy, a regional contracting company. Currently, the company works for UPM in the regions of Kainuu, North Ostrobothnia and Lapland, employing eight people.

Arvo and Markku Manninen’s company Koneurakointi Veljekset Manninen Ky is engaged in reliable and environmentally friendly activities of a high level of quality.

Heikki Ahola (on the right) has studied alongside his work throughout his career. After farm economics, he studied to become a forest machine operator and eventually a forestry engineer. He also has an EMBA degree and will soon acquire his Certified Board Member degree. Heikki’s son Jonne Ahola also works at H.A. Forest Oy.

PONSSE NEWS 27

THE EINARI VIDGRÉN FOUNDATION / AWARDS

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

In recognition of their significant contribution as forest machine entrepreneurs to Finland’s forestry, excellence in harvesting, and the country’s economic growth in the past, the Einari Vidgrén Foundation gave lifetime achievement awards to Timo Tolppa and Markku and Mauri Kanervo. The lifetime achievement awards were given for a long and merited career in forest machine contracting. With his positive attitude, Timo Tolppa has developed Metsäkonepalvelu Oy into a significant operator in the forest industry. Timo has boldly tried new concepts and developed the company’s activities with determination, both in Finland and Sweden. He is also a long-standing member of the association of machine entrepreneurs. Timo is the first recipient of the Einari Vidgrén Foundation’s award in the second generation after his father Tauno Tolppa received the award for his long career in forest machine contracting in 2014. Markku and Mauri Kanervo have worked for several decades as machine contractors. They took their first steps in harvesting as little boys in the 1950s, helping their father in horse logging. Later, the brothers witnessed and experienced all the phases in the mechanisation of the forest industry. Now 74 and 75 years of age, they continue to employ three external full-time machine operators. Koneyhtymä Kavervo Mauri ja Markku Ky works with Livia College, giving young students an opportunity to train and acquire skills during their studies. This partnership is a key asset for the future, and the brothers find it important to support industry training and education.

With his positive attitude, Timo Tolppa from Metsäkonepalvelu Oy has developed the company into a significant player in the forest industry.

Read more about the recipients of recognition awards interviews at evsaatio.fi Seasoned professionals Markku and Mauri Kanervo got the Einari lifetime achievement award. The two brothers took their first steps in harvesting in the 1950s, helping their father with horse logging.

EINARI AWARD

AND FOUR CATEGORIES

28 PONSSE NEWS

In addition to the Einari Award, recognitions were given in four different categories: lifetime achievement, special recognition, operators and students. In 2023, the Foundation’s awards totalled EUR 199,200.

PROFILE / REIJO PUSKA

RETIREMENT CALLS PONSSE’S SEASONED VETERAN

REIJO PUSKA REPLACES SALES WITH MOTORCYCLING A well-earned retirement awaits Reijo Puska, area sales manager in South Ostrobothnia. Reijo will retire at the end of the year after more than 26 years at Ponsse. “I’ve had a long and good career,” Reijo says and continues: “Ponsse has been an excellent employer, and I was certainly lucky to land such a good job.” Reijo has not worked for his entire career at Ponsse, however. He took the first steps on his career path building factory structures across Finland. After that, he built forest machines at Kindai.

salesperson here with all the well-running maintenance and spare parts services behind us,” says Reijo. “I’ve always got along well with the customers, and it’s safe to say that I’ve always tried to be fair and honest,” Reijo says in summary. EXCELLENT TEAM SPIRIT

FROM SERVICE TO SALES

Reijo heard about a vacant service mechanic position at Ponsse, and soon the Ostrobothnian found himself in training at the Iisalmi service centre and the Vieremä factory. A few years passed working as a service mechanic at the Seinäjoki service centre until Ponsse started to look for a new area sales manager. “By then, I’d been six years at Ponsse and was already familiar with all the customers in the area. I applied for the position and was shortly on my way to Vieremä to be interviewed by Einari Vidgrén and Erkki Karppinen. It didn’t take long before we shook hands,” Reijo says. For Reijo, it was easy to transfer from service to sales, as he had already become familiar with Ponsse’s customers in the area. The first machine sale of his career at Ponsse was completed with Bröderna Backlund from Nykarleby. “Reijo has sold us almost 30 machines over the years, and we have enjoyed working with him. Ever since Reijo started in his position, we’ve had nothing but Ponsse’s forest machines,” says Gunnar Backlund, one of the two founders of Bröderna Backlund, who will also retire soon. It seems that the final sale of Reijo’s Ponsse career will also be completed with Bröderna Backlund later this autumn when the company will replace one of its forwarders with a newer model. SOLID TRUST IN THE BACKGROUND TEAM

During Reijo’s sales career, the market area in Western Finland has grown rapidly. PONSSE forest machines account for more than 50 per cent of all machines in South Ostrobothnia. “The Seinäjoki service centre employs many long-term employees, most of whom have spent more than ten years at Ponsse. This stands for solid professional skills. It’s been easy to work as a

Reijo praises the good team spirit of the Finnish sales team. Ponsse Finland’s sales were recognised with the title of best sales organisation in the country in 2022. “We’ve experienced all kinds of things with Reijo and other members of the sales team over the years,” says Jani Liukkonen, Country Manager of Finland, who has been Reijo’s supervisor since 2009. “Reijo has been one of the leaders of our Ponsse Bikers club ever since we started riding together in Norway in 2011. It would be nice if Reijo continued to ride with us in the future,” Jani says. Reijo would also like to dedicate more time to motorcycling during his retirement. He will also certainly spend a lot of time in his son’s workshop, in which various machine projects are waiting to be completed.

”

I’ve always got on well with customers, and it’s safe to say that I’ve always tried to be fair and honest.

PONSSE NEWS 29

LOGGING NEWS / 2023

LOGGING NEWS SWEDISH FORESTRY EXPO – A NEW MEETING PLACE IN THE FOREST INDUSTRY Swedish Forestry Expo, a major forest industry event, was held in Stockholm at the beginning of June. During the three-day exhibition, 150 exhibitors demonstrated forest industry machines and services to more than 10,000 visitors from over 30 countries. “The idea for the exhibition came from us and other forest machine manufacturers. We wanted to try something new, focusing above all on products and services, and we wanted the event to be easily accessible by visitors. The MaskinLeverantörerna organisation and its forest industry members started to organise the event, which was finally held this year,” says Carl-Henrik Hammar, Managing Director of Ponsse AB. “For Ponsse, the exhibition was a success. We received nothing but positive feedback on the demonstrations of PONSSE EV1, our electric forwarder, which attracted hundreds of visitors on every day of the event. Best of all, the exhibition was an event for professionals. All visitors were either customers or representatives of other stakeholders,” Hammar says.

USA LOGGING CONGRESS, WI, 7–9 SEPTEMBER 2023 Held at the beginning of September, the USA Logging Congress was a success. Customers enjoyed their stay, and the exhibition stand was bustling with lively discussions on all three days. Ponsse had the largest stand of rubber-wheeled CTL machines. Visitors were able to admire a PONSSE Elephant, a PONSSE Scorpion King, a PONSSE Buffalo, two PONSSE Ergos and a PONSSE BuffaloKing with Active Seat.

DIGITAL ONLINE EDITION OF PONSSE NEWS OUT NOW Ponsse News is now also available online. The online edition offers news from logging sites across the world and greetings from events and exhibitions. You can read news about Ponsse and watch various videos. The online edition is available at news.ponsse.com in Finnish and English. DO YOU HAVE A GOOD IDEA FOR A STORY? Send it to us by emailing ponssenews@ponsse.com.

30 PONSSE NEWS

MORE THAN 36,000 PEOPLE VISITED EXPOFOREST IN BRAZIL

Expoforest, the world’s largest forest industry exhibition, was held in Brazil on 9–11 August 2023. Ponsse’s exhibition area featured 30 different harvesting solutions, including PONSSE EV1, PONSSE Mammoth and the H9 harvester head, in addition to Multifleet by Ponsse and Ponsse’s other digital solutions. Ponsse’s exhibition area of roughly 300 m2 had visitors from 15 different countries. Over three days, the number of visitors totalled 36,000.

PONSSE FINLAND IS A SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE All Ponsse offices in Finland will be smoke-free workplaces from January 1, 2024. A smoke-free workplace means that smoking or e-cigarettes are not allowed in customer service centers or service center sites as of January 1, 2024. Offices that are not connected to customer service centers will also go smoke-free in the same schedule. There are also no smoking areas on the sites. The Vierämä factory has been smoke-free since August 2023.

The prize was given to Mika Suonmaa from Epec and Kalle Einola, Ponsse’s R&D Manager.

THE 2023 AUTOMATION PRIZE GIVEN TO THE EV1 TECHNOLOGY CONCEPT PONSSE EV1, developed in cooperation between Ponsse and Epec, is the winner of the 2023 automation prize in Finland. It is given every two years by the Finnish Society of Automation in recognition of significant research and development in the industry.

“WE’RE GOING, WHETHER IT’S HOT OR COLD” Metsuritrio Oy is a provider of forest management services which, for example, clears 500 hectares of forests a year, but also plants 300,000 seedlings during the planting season and provides summer jobs for young people. Metsuritrio consists of an energetic and lively trio from Finland: Anna and Ella Hautaviita and Emilia Määttä. They have demonstrated the forest industry and harvesting in a positive light on social media and were given the Einari Vidgrén Foundation’s recognition in the summer of 2023. They are also a well-known trio on social media. For them, both aspects of the work are important: the industry requires positive visibility, and forests require care. While working in nature is rewarding, it also calls for guts and a certain attitude. “This work also gives you guts. We’re going, whether it’s hot or cold,” says Emilia Määttä (in the middle). Read the full article on Metsuritrio at evsaatio.fi. PONSSE NEWS 31

LOGGING NEWS / 2023

COOPERATION WITH SCHOOLS OPENS DOORS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Ponsse is engaged in cooperation with various educational institutes and student associations in the form of training periods and international visits. Madelyn Waterman, a marketing student at Finlandia University, is one of the students who completed their training period at Ponsse this year. She carried out part of her training period at Ponsse North America in Rhinelander and part in Finland. The Einari Vidgrén Foundation made the training period possible. According to Madelyn, her training period in Finland was like no other. “I wanted to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and absorb as much information as possible,” she says. Madelyn’s training included participation in the Swedish Forestry Expo event in Sweden and various marketing activities involving social media services and Ponsse Collection products.

ALREADY 20 YEARS OF EFFECTIVE COOPERATION

Sasuco Oy, Ponsse’s contractual service partner in Nakkila, congratulated Petri Kula (centre) during the market day held to celebrate 20 years of operations. Markus Santikko on the left and Joonas Suomalainen from Sasuco Oy on the right.

32 PONSSE NEWS

Juha Vidgrén, Chair of the Einari Vidgrén Foundation, and student Madelyn Waterman.

This year, the contractual service partnership between Ponsse and Konehuolto P. Kula, a company operating in the region of Southwest Finland, turned 20 years old. Currently, the scope of Konehuolto P. Kula’s operations equals that of Ponsse’s largest customer service centres. The customer base has grown over the years, and Ponsse now has roughly 100 forest machines in the region. Most customers are within a 50-kilometre radius of the service centre in Pöytyä. “I’d like to thank the entrepreneur Petri Kula for our productive partnership of 20 years! We want to provide our customers with effective maintenance and spare parts services, and Kula has responded perfectly to this demand. I’d like to congratulate Petri for his 20-year entrepreneurship. His bold and enthusiastic attitude guarantees that he will also succeed in the future,” says Jani Liukkonen, Ponsse’s Sales Director in Finland. “These 20 years have been an incredible journey! I don’t think there could be a better partner. Everything is solved with common sense, and Ponsse’s people are easy to negotiate and work with. We have a similar mindset: the customer comes first,” says Petri Kula.

KUOPIO CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE MODERNISED The aim of the modernisation was to serve customers even better and ensure the effectiveness of maintenance and spare parts services more flexibly. Services in Kuopio consist of a broad range of spare parts and forest machine accessories, machine sales, large-scale field maintenance, and the Ponsse Shop. The grand opening of the new facilities and a market event were held on 15 September with Avesco, a company operating in the same facilities.

PONSSE TO BECOME FIRST FOREST MACHINE MANUFACTURER TO USE SSAB FOSSIL-FREE STEEL SSAB and Ponsse Plc, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of cut-to-length forest machines, have joined forces in a partnership in which SSAB is to deliver fossil-free steel to Ponsse gradually beginning in 2026. This partnership will further solidify Ponsse’s position as a provider of sustainable forest machines and bring SSAB closer to its goal of establishing a fossil-free value chain. “It’s great to have a reliable partner like Ponsse now joining our fossil-free journey. Joint efforts are needed to meet the challenging CO2 reduction targets in forest machines. Both companies prioritize sustainable solutions and will strive to make a positive impact on forest machines using SSAB Fossil-free™ steel, fostering innovation while respecting nature,” says Lotta Ruottinen, Sales Director at SSAB Europe. “Our products and services will play a crucial role in assisting our customers in achieving

their climate objectives during the transition to a low-carbon economy. Our PONSSE EV1 forwarder concept with completely electric drive and our partnership with SSAB regarding fossil-free steels will lead our development towards carbon neutral forestry,” says Juha Inberg, Chief R&D and Technology Officer, Ponsse Plc. SSAB plans to revolutionize the entire steelmaking process. SSAB aims to deliver fossil-free steel to the market at a commercial scale during 2026 and to largely eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from our operations in around 2030. SSAB works with iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall as part of the HYBRIT initiative to develop a value chain for fossil-free iron- and steelmaking, replacing the coking coal traditionally used for iron orebased steelmaking with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. This process virtually eliminates carbon dioxide-emissions in steel production.

Juha Inberg, Chief R&D and Technology Officer, Ponsse Plc

Lotta Ruottinen, Sales Director in SSAB Europe

SSAB is a Nordic and US-based steel company. SSAB offers value added products and services developed in close cooperation with its customers to create a stronger, lighter, and more sustainable world. SSAB has employees in over 50 countries. SSAB has production facilities in Sweden, Finland, and the US. Read more about SSAB www.ssab.com.

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Designed for you Workwear Ponsse Collection work clothes have been designed for professionals and are an excellent choice for everyone working with machinery. The collection consists of jackets, trousers, overalls and accessories for cold, hot and rainy conditions. Our products are made with focus on the use of sustainable materials. We aim to use recycled materials and technical fibres whenever possible.

BE SEEN IN THE DARK

RECYCLED MATERIALS

WINTER WORK JACKET, ORANGE

WINTER WORK JACKET, YELLOW

Sizes: S–4XL. 70% polyester, 30% cotton. Price: €170.

Sizes: S–3XL. 65% recycled polyester, 35% Tencel. Price: €135

Safety can also be ensured by selecting certified products that have sufficient reflective surfaces. You can increase visibility by combining products.

This winter jacket is made from recycled polyester and Tencel, which is a semi-synthetic cellulose fibre. Less chemicals, energy and water are used in making Tencel, which is why the process is eco-friendlier.

Casual wear The Ponsse Collection casual wear collection for autumn was designed with sustainability and quality in mind. Sustainability means both timeless design and the use of environmentally sustainable materials. The choice of materials for the products emphasises the use of recycled materials, reusing existing fibres and reducing the production of virgin materials. Although the material is recycled, it has the same durability as virgin material.

PONSSE STOCKING CAP Price: €35.

MERINO BEANIE, BLACK Price: €35.

FLANNEL SHIRT Sizes: S–4XL 100% cotton / Price: €50.

TEDDY COAT Sizes: XS–4XL 100% polyester / €105.

• Stylish checkered bed • Soft flannel fabric • Normal sizing

• Use instead of a hoodie or as an intermediate layer • Warm and comfortable • Made in Estonia

THE PERFECT COMPANION TO THE FORREST CLASSIC KUPILKA 21 CUP Volume: 2.1 dl. Price: €25. If you are looking for a gift for an outdoor enthusiast or machine operator, we recommend classic cup that is made from Kareline® natural fibre composite and features the laserengraved PONSSE logo.

All Ponsse Collection products are available in the online shop at ponsseshop.com PONSSE NEWS 35