Every year, nearly one million cubic meters of logs flow through the saw blades at Westas, and at the other end of the facility, approximately half a million cubic meters of quality sawn timber is bundled into packages. Orchestrating the various work stages, machines and equipment, people and plans in between is the Production Manager, whose task is to ensure that the raw material’s journey from log to sawn timber proceeds safely, smoothly, and efficiently.
You can take the man out of the sawmill…
After the Finnish matriculation examination, before starting his military service, Sami Kotivuori took a job at a plywood factory. It was not his first encounter with forest-related professions, though, as he had already participated in seedling cultivation and planting as an early teenager. Kotivuori was, however, more interested in the technology of the field than the forest.
– After the army, I started my studies at the Kotka College of Forestry and Wood Technology, where I completed a bachelor of engineering degree in wood technology. I got a job as a production manager at the ER-Saha sawmill and continued my studies alongside my work. In 2006, I completed my master’s degree in engineering at the Lappeenranta University of Technology, Kotivuori says.
With a fresh engineering degree in his pocket, Kotivuori headed to the Korkeakoski sawmill in Juupajoki, where he spent the first years as a foreman. In 2012, he took charge of the entire sawmill. The outbreak of the war in Ukraine, however, sparked his interest in Finland’s security of supply, and Kotivuori took on the role of a unit director at Millog Oy for a couple of years. However, sawmilling was always at the back of his mind.
– Sitting behind an office desk, I found myself missing the sawmill. This is such a hands-on job, things are happening all the time and the end result is tangible. When I noticed Westas was looking for a production manager, things started to move quickly.
The company looked good on paper, and the well-managed, reputable private sawmill representing the top of the industry in Finland piqued Kotivuori’s interest. A visit to Westas in Koski only reinforced his impression.
– At a sawmill, you can quickly get a good idea of how the facility has been maintained and managed. Everything at Westas seemed to be in excellent condition.
No two sawmills are alike
Kotivuori, who took on the role of production manager at the end of June, is responsible for the development of two sawmills and their production, as well as for investments, occupational safety and managing the production personnel. Since every sawmill is different, Kotivuori started with the basics, in spite of his formidable experience. What works in one sawmill may not necessarily work in another.
– I aim to spend as much time as possible in production in order to familiarise myself with the facilities, learn the company practices and meet the people. If the situation allows it, I want to have as many discussions as possible with the production employees, as they are the true experts of Westas’s sawmills.
In addition to improving proactive occupational safety indicators, Kotivuori says that one of his goals is to increase production efficiency by reducing production interruptions and refining practices. The goal is also to examine the use of raw materials, not just in terms of the utilisation rate, but also to ensure that as many valuable end products as possible are produced from the log. He points out that these aspects are already in good order at Westas and that the foundation for continuous improvement is in place.
– In the first few weeks, what has stood out the most is the strong sense of motivation and getting things done. Here, people don’t just come to work. It’s an excellent starting point for development.
This article was published in Westas stakeholder magazine 2/2025; read the full magazine here.