In Kemi, Metsä Group mills have developed seamless collaboration to promote higher quality and customer focus over the years. THE CUSTOMER UNDER THE SAME ROOF
TIMO SORMUNEN, photo METSÄ BOARD
Pulp is a product that is often transported around the world to customers. However, the Metsä Board paper- board mill in Kemi gets its raw material straight off the production line of the neighbouring Metsä Fibre pulp mill. It is unique in this field for mills, buyers and sellers to operate largely under the same roof. All the parties work together closely to continuously improve quality, service and the reliability of deliveries. “We are like a family and share some of our personnel resources, such as the safety and HR operations. We also share office spaces and the cafeteria,” says Mill Director Tomi Seppä , who is at the helm of the pulp and paper- board mill. He points out that joint mill management makes com- munication, leadership and operations more efficient. “The success of one party always benefits and helps the others, too.” The mills have adopted systematic approaches to meet- ing market demands. The companies’ sales, technical customer service, product development and production people regularly meet in a joint steering group. This en-
sures that customer feedback and development impulses from the market can be quickly and smoothly introduced into product development and production. “Being next-door neighbours, we can monitor the quality of the entire production chain from incoming wood to the finished paperboard reel, which makes the process easier.” The pulp mill supplies wet pulp directly to the paper- board mill. “This ensures consistent quality and reliable delivery schedules and improves the cost-effectiveness of both mills. It also helps us provide added value to our cus- tomers.” PACKAGING IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PRODUCT BRAND The coated and uncoated kraftliners produced by Metsä Board’s Kemi paperboard mill have proved their superiori- ty over the years in terms of packaging quality, purity, print quality and the sustainability of the production chain. “We can help customers use more lightweight liners,” says Leena Yliniemi , Product Management Director at Metsä Board.
Tomi Seppä Metsä Fibre’s and Metsä Board’s Mill Dire- ctor in Kemi. He assumed the post of Mill Director of the new Kemi bioproduct mill on 1 October 2021.
Leena Yliniemi, Product Management Director at Metsä Board, is responsible for the company’s entire production portfolio.
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