NEPower’s Production Director Jani: Leaving your mark is the most important thing in a growth company
Jani started working at NEPower in January. According to him, the decision to move to the company arose from his strong technical background and diverse experience in the industry. “I’m a technology person, and NEPower offered an interesting opportunity to help develop operations in a growing company within a growing sector,” Jani explains. The chance to leave his own mark and be involved in developing functions fascinated him from the very beginning.
During the recruitment process, Jani already got to know the production side together with CEO Mika Alatalo. The production arrangements were still relatively in their infancy, which greatly inspired Jani. “The manufacturing operations had been shaped over time, and it offered me the chance to immediately start planning processes and efficient production. I was able to have a significant impact on things. It felt more meaningful than in larger companies where processes are already well-established, and your ability to influence is often minimal.”
Ambition and creativity as driving forces
Jani describes himself as precise and creative, driven by a “pohjalainen suuruudenhulluus” (a Finnish term meaning a grandiose ambition in a positive way). “The company has a good and ambitious spirit that supports these traits of mine,” he notes.
According to him, the most important aspect of the job is leading the staff and highlighting employees’ strengths. Jani also emphasizes the continuous development of processes. “I am a strong advocate of LEAN thinking. Customer-oriented operations are at the center of everything – they create added value both at the customer interface and in the supporting functions. The customer is not just the end customer, but also the next process,” Jani explains. He believes that a customer relationship is more than just an order relationship, and the company plays a larger role in the comprehensive development of customer relationships.
The rapid growth of the market offers Jani opportunities to develop in his work. He has risen from Production Manager to Production Director and is now also part of the management team. Strategic planning and development have become part of his job description. “But most importantly, I have felt very comfortable,” Jani summarizes.
The importance of Energy Storage Systems and continuous learning
The significance of energy storage is continuously increasing, and at the same time, the growing energy demand brings new innovations to the field. Jani emphasizes the development of environmentally friendly production methods and improving their productivity.
Jani is an eternal student and wants to continuously improve himself. He has started a higher university degree in electrical engineering while also completing his MBA thesis. “Studying and self-development are important to me, but work teaches best,” he states.
Musician in his free time
In his free time, Jani is a freelance musician who has been singing around Finland for 15 years. In 2019, he won first place in the Olavi Virta singing competition. He performs with his own band, and the gig calendar is full as much as he can manage alongside his life.
“When the tour bus pulls into the yard, you can momentarily jump into another world and forget all your worries. The pandemic quieted gigs for a while, but now the industry is gaining good momentum. Young people have also found their way to the dance floors,” Jani shares.
