22.8.2024
Career story
From School Desk to Kopar – The Story of Eero Lehtilä
Name: Eero Lehtilä
Title: Technology Director
Education: Bachelor of Engineering, Master’s Degree in Technology Competence Management
How long have you been working at Kopar: Nearly 14 years
How you spend your free time: Most of my free time is, of course, spent with my family, including three children. I also take time daily for exercise. Since my early twenties, I have been interested in endurance sports, particularly skiing and running. I will run my first full-length marathon in September 2024.
Eero Lehtilä was about to complete his engineering degree when his cousin recommended applying for an internship and thesis position at Kopar. It was 2011 when Eero joined the company, and he is still on the same path.
Eero started as a Development Engineer, focusing on production development and product design.
– First, I helped plan how we could increase the manufacturing capacity of one of Kopar’s products. In addition, I worked on other tasks related to operational development.
Soon, Eero’s career led him to projects, as Kopar was already a project-oriented company. Eero has had the opportunity to view the company’s operations from many angles, from Project Engineer to Project Manager and now to his current role as Technology Director.
– I have had the opportunity to experience all phases of a project, from designing solutions during the sales stage and negotiating with the customer to managing the project during the delivery phase and overseeing the commissioning of equipment.
It didn’t take long before Eero was given additional responsibilities as a Project Lanager, overseeing customer projects and managing the broader team. He also led the service team before taking on the role of Technology Director. In his current role, Eero is responsible for Kopar’s products and solutions, as well as the planning and documentation of projects.
– It’s great that Kopar offers the opportunity to work in different roles. It makes the work more meaningful.
“It’s great that Kopar offers the opportunity to work in different roles. It makes the work more meaningful.”
Eero Lehtilä, Technology Director
A Workplace that Encourages Exploration and Experience
Eero names the versatility of the workplace as one of Kopar’s best aspects. In an international export company, customers and projects are located all over the world, where Kopar employees are also encouraged to go.
– Kopar offers excellent opportunities to travel abroad. It’s a completely different experience to see the products in their operational environment rather than on the design table. The international environment also teaches you to approach new people and situations more open-mindedly.
The company provides opportunities to develop expertise more broadly. Eero completed a master’s degree in technology competence management alongside his job. Once again, he completed the required thesis related to the development of Kopar’s operations.
“It’s a completely different experience to see the products in their operational environment rather than on the design table. The international environment also teaches you to approach new people and situations more open-mindedly.”
Eero Lehtilä, Technology Director
With the Right Drive, You Can Go Far
Kopar’s industry is not the most common, and Kopar employees know it well. Even if the product is the same, the customer and environment change. For Eero, variety is the spice of the job.
– Engineering studies cover these issues shortly, but there is no training directly applicable to bulk material handling. I am still constantly learning something new.
According to Eero, internal motivation and the desire to learn and develop are the most important things.
– Of course, we offer employees a comprehensive orientation, but there is a lot of tacit knowledge that requires initiative to adopt.
If an active work environment where you can push yourself to your limits sounds right for you, then you should send an application!