Fimpec was involved in the construction of Koskisen’s new wood processing unit as part of the client’s organization

Koskisen’s new sawmill line in Kärkölä is the company’s largest single investment to date. As a result, the company’s sawmill operations were relocated from Järvelä town center to Mäntsäläntie in Kärkölä, alongside timber post-processing and refinement. This increased production synergy and significantly reduced emissions related to internal sawmill logistics. The new unit will initially produce around 400,000 cubic metres of softwood timber per year, increasing sawmill productivity by around 40% compared to the previous unit. At its peak, there were approximately 150 workers on-site during the most intense phase of equipment installation.

Koskisen involved Fimpec in the investment project at an early stage and it was decided to jointly implement the IPD (Integrated Project Delivery) model, where Fimpec was part of the client’s organisation. Fimpec’s responsibilities in the investment, which started in the fall of 2021, included leading construction planning, procurement, construction scheduling, as well as site coordination, supervision, and safety tasks.

Koskinen’s Project Manager Lassi Santala says that Fimpec’s experience in industrial construction consultancy spoke for itself when choosing Fimpec as a partner According to him, Fimpec was also able to demonstrate at the tender stage that the organisation could adapt with a correctly and reasonably sized organisation at different stages of the project. These promises were also kept during the project.

“Fimpec played a significant role as an industrial construction professional in the project. We at Koskisen defined the production line layout and production-related requirements. Fimpec assisted in constructing all the infrastructure, production buildings, and production equipment foundations around the production line, respecting the production line’s construction schedule and needs. This is where Fimpec’s professionalism was at its best when it came to coordinating the construction and installation of the production equipment. Fimpeci has been and continues to be a great choice as a construction partner for us,” Santala praises.

The investment project was carried out through effective collaboration

Markus Pekkola, who served as the site manager in the project from Fimpec, assessed that the project progressed smoothly. This is evidenced by the fact that the investment was completed on time and within budget – the first logs passed through the sawing line on the pre-planned day.

“The key to success was excellent cooperation among the client, contractors, equipment suppliers, and designers. I must also thank the Koskisen project leadership for creating a sense of unity and acquainting the construction organization with the peculiarities of the sawmill. In the project, we were able to utilize established practices from industrial sites, but there was still plenty to learn about sawmill operations,” Pekkola stated.

He adds that during the construction phase, there was also a conscious effort to maintain a positive atmosphere and a shared goal on the site. Weekly coordination meetings were used as a tool to go through the upcoming week’s work and align the work of contractors working in the same area. According to Pekkola, these meetings helped foster a good, collaborative spirit among the contractors. He also emphasized the importance of a well-planned schedule.

“Initially, the project had a well-planned schedule that held up, and the impacts of surprises on the schedule were managed through work planning. And when the schedule is maintained, other critical aspects of the project, such as safety and budget, are more manageable. We also received praise from equipment installers for keeping to the construction schedule. They were able to do their work when it was supposed to and safely.”

Koskisen and Fimpec’s collaboration continues

Further evidence of the successful cooperation is that Fimpec’s work at Koskisen’s factory area in Kärkölä has continued even after the completion of the wood processing unit investment. Koskisen has made an investment decision to build a new log sorting field and expand the channel drying plant. Fimpec is responsible for the construction and site supervision of these new projects.

For more information:

Jarno Rannikko, Business Unit Director, Industry, Fimpec PMO
tel. 050 575 1716,jarno.rannikko(at)fimpec.com

» Explore the construction phases of Koskisen’s new sawmill on the Koskisen Sawmill 2023 page


Koskisen Oyj is a Finnish wood processing company with over a hundred years of history. It has two business segments: the Sawmill Industry manufactures timber and products, while the Plywood Industry produces veneer, thin veneer, particleboard, and interior solutions for light and heavy commercial vehicles under the Kore brand. In 2022, Koskisen’s revenue was 318 million euros.

New Information on CO2 Emission Calculation for Industrial Construction Projects

Interest in calculating CO2 emissions for construction projects is rapidly increasing as we approach 2025, when the building law reform will require climate assessments for construction projects. However, there is still limited research data and guidance available, especially concerning industrial construction.

Therefore, at Fimpec, we wanted to explore the fundamentals of CO2 emissions calculation for industrial construction projects and practically test the suitability of a modern life cycle modeling program for this purpose. The research on this topic was conducted by Mari Sippu, a Bachelor of Engineering in Energy Technology, as part of her thesis at Xamk (South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences). I, along with Antti Laine, supervised her thesis. My role was to support Mari in matters related to calculations, while Laine assisted her with the theoretical aspects.As part of the work, CO2 emissions were calculated for a large industrial site and, for comparison, a residential apartment building. The data for the calculations were obtained from our own documents and the necessary material information from BIM models.

The results clearly demonstrate a significant difference between basic property construction and industrial construction projects from the perspective of CO2 emissions calculation. This difference is mainly due to the larger masses and greater use of steel/iron in industrial construction, resulting in higher CO2 emissions compared to similar-sized residential construction. In the example project, approximately half of the emissions came from calculated energy consumption, while the other half came from manufacturing and construction. The share of emissions from material manufacturing was 41 percent.

Baseline for Future Calculations

The emission calculations we conducted at Fimpec as part of this research provide essential baseline data for our Carbon Emission Management service. Measuring actual emissions provides a baseline for the calculations of future projects. This allows us to compare the CO2 emissions of a new project to these figures and make choices to address the carbon footprint early in the project, reducing it through material choices and designs, for example.

Currently, the comparison of results is limited because emission limits for construction have not been published. Therefore, it cannot be determined whether the measured values are high or low. These limits or climate assessments are unlikely to apply to industrial construction, which has also been exempt from energy certification requirements. However, we want to contribute to and enable the reduction of climate impacts in this sector whenever the client sees the need.

Building Knowledge and Life Cycle Assessment Expertise Required for Calculations

An important part of the work was to investigate the suitability of the One Click LCA life cycle modeling software for emission calculations by using it for the emissions calculation of example projects. This software was not primarily intended for industrial construction but proved to be suitable for this purpose as well. One Click LCA software was chosen because there are no software options specifically designed for industrial construction.

The advantages of the software include its visual appeal, clarity, and extensive reporting capabilities. It provides carbon footprint and carbon handprint calculation reports for projects, information on materials that have the most significant emissions impact, and visual breakdowns of the environmental impacts of different components. It also offers an assessment of potential sources of errors in the calculations.

From the perspective of industrial construction, it is important to consider that current databases and guidelines are better suited for residential and office construction than for industrial construction. Challenges arise from handling large volumes of data typically associated with industrial construction, obtaining sufficiently precise energy data, interpreting floor area and the number of floors, and determining which equipment and components from the BIM models are included in the calculations.

An important conclusion related to this is presented by Sippu in her thesis: conducting the calculations and interpreting the results require knowledge of building technology and life cycle assessment. At Fimpec, we possess such expertise and have experience with software use, making CO2 emission calculation services a natural addition to our operations.

Author Mila Viksilä works as an expert in Fimpec’s cost management team, specializing in carbon footprint calculations and digital solutions.

For more information on Fimpec’s Carbon Emission Management service:

Johan Appelqvist, Chief Operating Officer, Cost Management, Fimpec PMO
Phone: +358 50 466 0907, Email: johan.appelqvist(at)fimpec.com

Metsä Group’s new bio­product mill in Kemi has been in­augurated, with Fimpec overseeing construction and installation manage­ment

The statistics concerning new bioproduct mill are impressive. The investment is valued at approximately 2.02 billion euros. The mill will produce 1.5 million tons of softwood and hardwood pulp annually, along with numerous other bioproducts and 2 terawatt-hours of renewable electricity. In terms of production, environmental impact, and energy efficiency, the mill ranks among the world’s best, completely avoiding the use of fossil fuels.

The construction project was equally substantial. At its peak in February 2023, up to 4,000 people worked daily at the construction site. In total, the estimated employment impact during the construction phase is nearly 10,000 person-years.

Timo-Pekka Aaltonen, the Operative Director at Fimpec and Site Manager of installations of the project, stated that participating in such a massive project was challenging but highly instructive. He emphasized that effective and transparent collaboration among various stakeholders played a pivotal role in the project’s success.

“In our operations, it was evident that everyone shared a common goal, and we moved towards it as one team. In a project of this magnitude, this is of paramount importance because numerous decisions are made during the project. Good collaboration and openness help focus on essential matters and lay the foundation for finding solutions and making necessary decisions quickly. It also aided us in dealing with the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and events in Ukraine.”

A New Milestone in the Long-standing Partnership with Metsä Fibre

Fimpec’s participation in the construction of the Kemi bioproduct mill continues its long-standing collaboration with Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group. Their previous major project with Metsä Fibre, in which Fimpec participated, was the Äänekoski bioproduct mill investment, which was nearly the size of the Kemi project.

“Our collaboration has been fruitful. Fimpec’s experts have worked closely as an integral part of Metsä Fibre’s execution organization, openly seeking new and efficient ways of operating. For example, here in Kemi, we leveraged many of the lessons learned from the Äänekoski investment, identifying what aspects to consider. Similarly, ideas have emerged on how to advance such a project even more efficiently,” said Aaltonen.

“Fimpec was already a familiar partner to us from the Äänekoski bioproduct mill project, so selecting them as the main partner for the Kemi project was a natural choice. Our cooperation has been good and smooth throughout the entire project. Fimpec’s skilled team has been instrumental in ensuring that the project stayed on schedule and that the mill started as planned,” stated Jari-Pekka Johansson, Project Director for the Kemi bioproduct mill project.

Valuable Experience and Capital for Fimpec

Fimpec was responsible for both the construction management in construction phase and project management of mechanical installations in the Kemi investment, operating within Metsä Fibre’s organization. At its peak, around 45 Fimpec employees worked simultaneously at the construction site, and there are still about ten Fimpec representatives on-site.

“We conduct inspections and punch lists for both construction and installations and ensure that post-installation work is done properly. Additionally, we provide support to the commissioning personnel when needed. So, we’re getting close to the finish line,” said Aaltonen.

Overall, he describes the project as a rewarding experience for both Fimpec as a company and for individual employees. Projects of this size don’t come along in many careers.

“I know that, for us at Fimpec and for other stakeholders, being a part of this project has been a great experience. It’s a unique reference and offers valuable lessons that both the company and employees can leverage in the future, from the perspectives of site management, construction, and installation.”

For more information:

Timo-Pekka Aaltonen, Head of Operations, Fimpec PMO Oy
tel. +358 40 503 5812, timo-pekka.aaltonen@fimpec.com

Read more on Metsä Group’s website

» Metsä Group started up its Kemi bioproduct mill and paperboard mill

 

Stora Enso’s Oulu converting project progresses, intensive planning phase commen­cing at Fimpec

Image: Stora Enso

Stora Enso’s billion-dollar project, announced in October 2022, to convert the decommissioned paper machine 6 at the Oulu plant into a consumer packaging board line has reached a stage where Fimpec is fully engaged in the implementation planning.

“Planning has commenced, and we have progressed from basic engineering to detailed planning. We are also starting the installation documentation. The planning workload will peak in the next couple of months and will continue at this level for a few more months. The aim is to have the most intensive phase completed by the summer,” says Reijo Parkkinen, Sales and Project Manager at Fimpec, leading the project.

“In terms of size, this is one of the largest planning assignments for us. It is, therefore, a significant project where we can truly showcase our expertise,” he continues.

Fimpec’s responsibilities in the project’s implementation planning phase include process, plant, piping, process electrical, building electrical, instrumentation, and HVAC engineering. Previously, Fimpec has been involved in the pre-engineering of the project.

“So far, the work has progressed well in terms of planning. Good cooperation with Stora Enso has played a crucial role. We have moved forward in good agreement,” Parkkinen assesses.

A Suitable Assignment for Fimpec

Harri Soininen, Business Unit Director of Fimpec Engineering, describes the project as a suitable assignment for Fimpec. It combines the requirement for planning expertise in the forest industry and converting projects.

“We have experience in similar projects and the necessary capabilities to carry them out. Above all, it requires skilled individuals, designers who know their job. On the other hand, we need good tools, and one of our strengths is an integrated planning environment for handling design information. The third important aspect is effective work coordination,” he lists.

“I want to emphasize the professionalism and competence of our designers. Their significance only grows in projects like these, which involve surprises as functions are planned for existing spaces. The ability for change management is crucial,” Parkkinen adds.

Familiar Environment for Fimpec: Stora Enso’s Oulu Factory

A unique aspect of the ongoing project is that Stora Enso’s Oulu Mill is a familiar working environment for Fimpec. There is a history of assignments and collaboration with Stora Enso related to this pulp and paper mill.

“We were responsible for part of the implementation planning and construction services when the Oulu Mill second paper machine (PK 7) was converted to produce corrugated board surface paper in a project completed in 2021. We also planned both of the original paper machines in the 1990s, so we have a close relationship with this factory,” Soininen and Parkkinen explain.

For more information about Fimpec’s role in the project and our services:

Reijo Parkkinen, Sales and Project Manager, Fimpec Engineering Oy
tel. +358 400 682 272, reijo.parkkinen(at)fimpec.com

Harri Soininen, Business Unit Director, Fimpec Engineering Oy
tel. +358 40 552 5814, harri.soininen(at)fimpec.com

More information about the project is available on Stora Enso’s website

» Stora Enso is laying the foundation for the future of circular packaging in Oulu, Finland

Enerhack Camp 2023: Fimpec supporting Sustainable Energy Education for kids

Photos: Enerhack

Enerhack Camp for Kids, an exceptional initiative aimed at nurturing young minds and fostering a passion for sustainable energy, is set to captivate 600 children aged 7 to 16 at the prestigious Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia.

This free energy camp offers an immersive and interactive experience, empowering the next generation with the knowledge and skills to become environmental champions. With a focus on renewable energy sources, thermal energy, electrical energy, and transport Enerhack Camp for Kids strives to inspire a love for sustainability and empower children to contribute towards building a better future.

For Fimpec participation in the Enerhack Camp for Kids underscores our commitment to social responsibility and the recognition of the vital role engineers play in driving sustainable development. By engaging with young minds at an early age, we aim to install an appreciation for sustainable practices and ignite a lifelong passion for engineering and innovation.


Igor Krupenski, the CEO HeatConsult OÜ at the Enerhack Camp.

At the forefront of this participation is Igor Krupenski, the CEO of HeatConsult and the president of the Estonian Association of Engineers. HeatConsult has been a consistent supporter of the energy camp for three years. Now, Fimpec has joined in to support the camp alongside HeatConsult, further strengthening their commitment to fostering sustainable education and empowering the next generation.

“It is extremely important for us to contribute to the attractiveness of the engineering profession in order to attract top professionals who will build sustainable solutions in the future”, says Krupenski.

“This is already the third such camp, and almost 2,000 participants have visited the previous events, denoting its success. In addition to the researchers of Tallinn University of Technology, more than 30 guest lecturers are coming to the camp, including President of Estonia in 2016–2021 Kersti Kaljulaid, Minister of Education and Science Kristiina Kallas, and Deputy Chancellor of Energy Timo Tatar”, Krupenski continues.

The Enerhack Camp for Kids offers a unique platform for children to engage in hands-on activities, workshops, and experiments, providing them with an immersive experience of the energy industry’s exciting possibilities. By sharing knowledge and igniting curiosity, we aim to support a new generation that will drive innovation, create sustainable solutions, and shape a greener future.

For more information, please contact:

Igor Krupenski, CEO, Heatconsult OÜ
tel. +372 5800 3989, igor@heatconsult.ee

Turku Region Waste­water Treat­ment Plant Ltd’s invest­ment comp­leted on schedule and below budget – new outlet pipe and UV plant inaugu­rated in May

The UV disinfection facility was excavated into the bedrock.

The new outlet pipe and UV disinfection plant mark a substantial improvement in the Turku Region Wastewater Plant’s capacity and reliability. The purification process is also more effective now with UV disinfection performed on the wastewater after the regular treatment process. As a result, the wastewater will meet hygiene requirements set for swimming water, and the hygienic environmental load on the Turku sea area is reduced.

Fimpec involved in Turku Region Wastewater Treatment Plant’s biggest ever investment

Fimpec PMO Oy was in charge of project management, supervision, safety coordination, cost control and project reporting to the customer’s management between 2020 and 2023. Several Fimpec experts from different service sectors participated in the project.

“We at Fimpec are honoured to have been able to work on such an extensive and unique project in close co-operation with the professionals at Turku Region Wastewater Treatment Plant Ltd and other parties,” says Fimpec’s Esa Kunnassaari, Head of Operations, Project Services, who was in charge of the project management services for the project.

Project completed on schedule and below budget

The purchases for the project were carried out as public procurement. The approved cost estimate for the project was EUR 48 million, and the final costs were around EUR 45 million. Despite the complex nature of the project, use of technology that was unproven in Finnish ground conditions and major changes in the global situation, the project was completed on schedule and below budget.

The outlet pipe was taken into full use in early July 2022, and the trial run of the UV disinfection plant began in January 2023. The UV plant was taken into use at the end of March 2023. The successful execution of this large-scale and complex project required close co-operation between several parties to reach the common goal.

“The outlet pipe project is a textbook example of successful co-operation between different stakeholders. Fimpec’s operations and competence contributed significantly to the planned completion of the project,” says Mirva Levomäki, Managing Director of Turku Region Wastewater Treatment Plant Ltd.

A first in Finland: pipeline installed using the microtunneling method without any disturbances

The new outlet pipe measures around 800 metres in length and has a diameter of 2.5 meters. The reinforced concrete pipe was driven into the ground using the microtunneling method. This is the first microtunneling project of this scale to have been carried out in Finland.

The pipe segments were jacked into the ground to a depth of approximately 8 metres. The method helped to minimise the carbon footprint and environmental impacts of the pipeline project as excavations were only required at the start and end points of the pipeline. The pipeline was jacked below municipal infrastructure and busy street areas without any disturbances.

» Read more here

The launching shaft at the Turku harbour (left) and reception shaft at the Hansapuisto park next to the treatment plant (right)

The excavation required for the outlet tunnel and UV disinfection plant called for technical expertise and smooth communication with the residents and operators in the area

Another major component of the entire project was the excavation of the 300-metre outlet tunnel and the space for the UV disinfection plant. The UV plant and outlet tunnel were excavated adjacent to the underground treatment plant already in use. The outlet tunnel was excavated from the UV plant to the Hansapuisto park, where the tunnel connects to the 804-metre jacked pipeline. The outlet tunnel and pipeline total 1,104 metres in length. The space for the UV disinfection plant was excavated under challenging conditions close to apartment blocks and a day-care centre. The space extended partly beneath the operational day-care centre.

Any disturbance caused by the project were minimised through meticulous pre-planning, vibration monitoring and property audits.

“During the excavation, attention had to be paid to ensure the disturbance-free operation of the fully operational Kakolanmäki wastewater treatment plant. The excavation work was also scheduled according to the nap times of the day-care centre’s children. At this phase of the project, special attention was paid to informing the neighbourhood and addressing any questions raised by the local residents and operators,” says Kunnassaari.

The last part of the investment, the UV disinfection plant, was handed over to the treatment plant on 30 March 2023

UV disinfection in progress.

With the completion of the UV disinfection plant, the entire investment was completed in March 2023. The UV plant build adjacent to the Kakolanmäki wastewater treatment plant is used to disinfect the wastewaters before tunnelling to the outlet pipe. The effectiveness of UV disinfection has already been controlled through follow-up measurements, and the results are excellent.

“The project has involved special requirements throughout, and the network of experts operating at the site has done a fantastic job resolving them. Building the UV disinfection plant was part of a complex project in which the operation of the plant was integrated into the operational wastewater treatment plant,” Kunnassaari says.

» Read more here

“Construction of the UV plant called for close interaction between the operating personnel of the treatment plant, Fimpec’s personnel and Skanska Infra, which was the contractor,” Kunnassaari explains.

“Our co-operation with Fimpec’s experts was excellent! As a representative of the customer, I can be very pleased with the outcome,” says Jarno Arfman, Technical Manager, Turku Wastewater Treatment Plant Ltd.

“The outlet pipeline and UV plant project gives Fimpec a major foothold in public sector plant projects,” says Fimpec’s Business Unit Director Jorma Paananen.

The innovative investment of Turku Region Wastewater Treatment Plant Ltd received recognition already during the construction phase:

  • Honorary mention, Turku Good Construction Award 2023
  • Shortlisted, Ground Engineering Awards 2022, International Project of the Year category
  • Tied 2nd place in the RIL Award 2021 competition by the Finnish Association of Civil Engineers
  • Project of the Year 2021 award by the Finnish Society for Trenchless Technology

For more information, please contact:

Esa Kunnassaari, Head of Operations, Fimpec  PMO Oy
tel. +358 400 702 621, esa.kunnassaari(at)fimpec.com

Fimpec in charge of project manage­ment at the Kuhan­koski hydro power plant project

Photos: Tomi Immonen

The Kuhankoski hydro power plant is Koskienergia Oy’s largest investment to date, with a budget of more than EUR 20 million. The project involved the construction at Kuhankoski of a modern hydro power plant and an entirely new channel, partly flowing through a tunnel in the rock. Furthermore, a new natural fish pass was built for migratory fish alongside the old technical fish pass. Kuhankoski’s old power plant, built between 1919 and 1925, will remain operational alongside the new hydro power plant as a backup facility.

The new power plant will generate around 40 per cent more electricity than the old plant and increase annual production from under 25 GWh to 35 GWh.

The project was completed on schedule

Fimpec’s Tomi Rissanen, the project’s project manager, safety coordinator and construction supervisor, describes the project as unique. New hydro power plants like the one at Kuhankoski have not been built in Finland for decades. The project was challenging and long. Building worksite infrastructure, rock engineering (including excavation), the extremely demanding casting in-situ of the power plant and the coordination of the work between different parties demanded a lot from everyone involved.

“For example, approximately 130 in-situ castings were carried out over eighteen months on a hundred separate days, with the size of the cast parts ranging from a few cubic metres to several hundred cubic metres. They also included the attaching of huge turbine parts. As the turbine parts were cast in-situ in the concrete structure in three phases as the work progressed, the schedules of the main contractor SRV Infra and the plant’s turbine supplier Andritz had to be synchronised carefully,” he says.

Despite the challenges, the project achieved completion on schedule. Rock engineering and opencast mining began in November 2020, tunnel excavation in the beginning of 2021 and the casting in-situ of the power plant began in June 2021. The power plant building was erected using precast concrete elements in around a month in summer 2022, after which the in-situ casting continued until November.

The construction project was finished in January 2023, followed by the installation of equipment and automation-related work and finishing work on the construction project. The power plant’s test production began in March 2023, and regular production started in April. Since then, finishing work has been carried out at the power plant. The plant’s official inauguration was held on 2 June 2023.

“We got the project across the finish line on schedule through excellent co-operation between the various parties. The importance of staying on schedule was highlighted when we were able to benefit from the spring floods, and both power plants were running at full capacity for a few weeks before the river began to subside,” Rissanen sums up.

Budget and quality went hand in hand

They were able to stay within the project’s budget of just over EUR 20 million. Rissanen estimates that this was the result of, above all, Koskienergia’s quick and clear decision-making, flexible collaboration with the equipment supplier, predicting challenges, precise project management and supervision of the work. He points out that quality is extremely important in projects of this kind because the structures are difficult to fix after the fact.

According to Rissanen, one major success related to occupational safety: despite the extremely difficult circumstances, only two lost-time incidents occurred at the worksite, each leading to only a few days of sick leave.

A green transition project in safe hands

Over the years, Fimpec has participated as an engineering and project management partner in several key green transition projects, such as wind, solar and hydrogen plants.

“Hydro power is a key resource in Finland and at Kuhankoski, Koskienergia Oy has taken a modern approach to the challenges resulting from self-sufficient energy production in a changing world. In this project, together with Koskienergia, AFRY, SRV, Insta and Andritz, we have been able to carry out thorough work in engineering, technical solutions and project implementation,” stated Fimpec’s Business Unit Director Jorma Paananen at the power plant’s inauguration.

New Kuhankoski power plant

  • Maximum power 5.4 MW.
  •  Annual production approx. 35 GWh, and almost 40 GWh together with the old power plant.
  • Two turbines and generators.
  • Water is steered into the new power house along a new 100-metre tunnel.
  • The drop height is approx. 3.5 metres (based on the height of the lakes Saraavesi and Lappvesi).
  • A maximum of 160 m3 per second of water flows through the two new turbines.
  • A natural, winding fish pass was built between the new and old power houses.
  • The project included the building of a heat recovery system, which recovers the heat generated by the transformers and new power house and uses it to heat the old power plant.
  • The budget was just over EUR 20 million.
  • Construction took place from 2020 to 2023.

For more information, please contact:

Jorma Paananen, Business Unit Director, Fimpec PMO
tel. 040 347 373, jorma.paananen(at)fimpec.com

Tommi Rissanen, Project Manager, Fimpec PMO
tel. 040 556 7828, tommi.rissanen(at)fimpec.com

Fimpec PMO wins Central Finland Chamber of Commerce’s 25th World Achieve­ment Award

World Achievement Award 2023 was granted on 31 May 2023 to Fimpec PMO Oy. In the picture from the left: Antti Määttä, Chair of the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce, one of Fimpec PMO’s founders, yli-insinööri (Finnish honorary title) Pekka Salomaa, Mikko Turunen, CEO of Fimpec PMO, Jorma Paananen, Business Unit Director of Fimpec PMO and Ari Hiltunen, CEO of the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce. Photo: Viivi Sakkara.

Fimpec PMO is a world-class specialist in project management and development. The company acts as project consultants in major investment projects in the industrial and energy sectors, and as experts in the real estate and infrastructure sectors.

Fimpec PMO has successfully brought project management expertise from Central Finland to the world. It has implemented hundreds of commissions in numerous countries in several sectors. A strong foothold in industrial project management services has also provided Fimpec PMO with a solid foundation for implementing comprehensive green transition projects, in which the company already plays a major role. Riding the wave, Fimpec has expertise in managing new technology projects in the areas of, for example, wind energy, solar energy and hydrogen production, where Fimpec acts as project consultants in the construction of the first industrial-scale green hydrogen plant. The company is responsible for the construction of the Kemi bioproduct mill and was also responsible for the construction of the Äänekoski bioproduct mill.

“It is a great honour to grant the award to a company from Central Finland whose strong expertise in renewable energy brings solutions for building a low-emission future around the world,” says Antti Määttä, Chair of the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce.

Fimpec PMO’s operations have expanded, transforming the company from a local player into a national and global business. The company has broad operations in Finland and subsidiaries in Chile, Germany and Uruguay, where one of Fimpec PMO’s founders, yli-insinööri (Finnish honorary title) Pekka Salomaa, went already in 2004 to work as a construction manager in the country’s first pulp mill project. Since then, the company’s local knowledge has also been utilised in more recent industrial investments in Uruguay.

Fimpec PMO’s turnover in 2022 was EUR 20.4 million, and the company has some 165 employees. Roughly 30 per cent of the company’s turnover comes from the international market. Fimpec PMO is part of Fimpec Group.

“Fimpec is not only a magnificent growth story but also a brilliant example of the world-class expertise found in Central Finland. As an export region, strong players like Fimpec are vital for us,” says Regional Mayor Pekka Hokkanen, explaining the reason for the choice.

The winning company was awarded at the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce’s spring meeting on 31 May with the sculpture prize Maailma Siivillä by Samuli Alonen. The prize was received by Mikko Turunen, Pekka Salomaa and Jorma Paananen, directors at Fimpec PMO.

“We are delighted that the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce has taken note of Fimpec’s long-term work towards growth both in Finland and internationally. The roots of our project management services are in Jyväskylä, and we have worked with determination to be able to offer our customers the best tools to implement their projects. We want to bear our social responsibility also going forward and be a leader in the green transition and for a more sustainable future,” says Fimpec PMO’s CEO Mikko Turunen.

The World Achievement Award is granted by the chairs of the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce together with Pekka Hokkanen, Regional Mayor, and Ari Hiltunen, CEO of the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, please contact:

Antti Määttä, Chair of the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce,
tel. +358 50 522 1011, antti.maatta@sok.fi

Pekka Hokkanen, Regional Mayor,
tel. +358 40 595 0016, pekka.hokkanen@keskisuomi.fi

Ari Hiltunen, CEO of the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce,
tel. +358 40 058 3210, ari.hiltunen@kskauppakamari.fi

Mikko Turunen, CEO of Fimpec PMO,
tel. +358 40 844 7566, mikko.turunen@fimpec.com

Hippos centre advances under a new con­struction model – Fimpec PMO Oy in charge of con­struction

(Image: PES-Architects)

Fimpec has long and solid experience of implementing large-scale and demanding projects under a project management model. Backed by its strong local know-how and organisation, Fimpec will be responsible for co-ordinating the construction of the Hippos centre, construction site supervision, scheduling, procurement, cost reporting and implementation engineering.

“Fimpec has strong roots in Jyväskylä, and we have built an experienced local project management organisation that is in charge of managing and implementing the Hippos project together with our client. As a local player, it is an honour to be part of a project that promotes the development of the Jyväskylä area and strengthens the local infrastructure. The new Hippos centre will be a significant regional hub with substantial value for society,” states Mikko Turunen, CEO of Fimpec PMO.

“We are pleased to announce the start of collaboration with Fimpec PMO. Fimpec PMO’s long-standing experience of managing major real estate projects, solid local know-how and local contact network will be crucial enablers as we take this project forward together with Hippos centre’s own strong organisation,” says Jouni Alho, Managing Director of Sepos Oy.

Number one sports and wellness hub in the Nordics

The construction plans for Hippos are currently being refined, and the goal is for construction to commence in autumn 2023. Hippos is set to be the number one sports and wellness hub in the Nordics, with the most innovative companies and cutting-edge research units in the field working together to create a new, internationally successful business.

Hippos centre will include spaces for some 20 different sports, such as track & field, gymnastics, martial arts, group fitness classes and ball sports. The sports complex will also house a day-care centre, restaurants and a shop. An ice arena centre will be created by renovating and expanding the existing ice rink, and three ice training rinks will also be built in the Hippos centre. Some 26,000 square metres of space has been earmarked for a science and business centre. An outdoor sports park for public use as well as 900 parking spaces will be built.

Hippos in numbers

  • Total area: approx. 100,000 m2
  • People employed directly by Hippos: 600
  • People employed indirectly by Hippos: 300+
  • Annual visits to Hippos: 4.7 million

» Read more about Hippos on the website

For more information, please contact:

Mikko Turunen, CEO, Fimpec PMO,
tel. +358 40 844 7566, mikko.turunen@fimpec.com

Kai Ruuhonen, Project Director, Hippos Ky,
tel. +358 40 358 5533, kai.ruuhonen@hipposkeskus.fi

Ville Niskakangas, Project Manager, City of Jyväskylä,
tel. +358 40 487 2577, ville.niskakangas@jyvaskyla.fi

Jouni Alho, Managing Director, Sepos Oy,
tel. +358 50 305 4104, jouni.alho@sepos.fi