{"id":10726,"date":"2025-12-08T10:23:03","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T08:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kopar.fi\/?p=10726"},"modified":"2025-12-08T10:24:46","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T08:24:46","slug":"heikki-myllymaki","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kopar.fi\/en\/heikki-myllymaki\/","title":{"rendered":"Heikki Myllym\u00e4ki,"},"content":{"rendered":"
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8.12.2025<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Heikki Myllym\u00e4ki: From the welding shop to design responsibilities<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Name:<\/strong> Heikki Myllym\u00e4ki,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Title: <\/strong> Chief Design Engineer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education: <\/strong>I graduated as a mechanical engineer from the automation department of the Tampere School of Economics and Technology in 1999.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long have you been working at Kopar:<\/strong><\/strong>
Over 26 years. First a couple of summers as a summer worker and then at the turn of the millennium I started working full time. Still on that path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How you spend your free time:<\/strong> <\/strong>I live in the countryside with my family of three children. Evenings and weekends are often spent doing yard and garden work, repairing and maintaining all kinds of vehicles and machinery, and working in the woods.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Heikki Myllym\u00e4ki,<\/strong> has seen Kopar's growth up close. His journey to Kopar began back in 1997 with a summer job. Over the course of almost 30 years, he has been involved in many of the things that have been produced and designed by Kopar. The independence, diversity and strong team spirit of the work has kept him in the house full time since 1999.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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For the first summer he worked in a welding shop and as a sheet metal worker, learning the basics of metalworking by cutting, folding and welding sheets. In the second summer, his duties continued in the assembly and installation of the Tracklayer rail element transfer system, where he became familiar with the mechanical and hydraulic systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201dIt was a really instructive time. I got to make parts for conveyors and other equipment, and it gave me a hands-on understanding of how the equipment really works,\u201d says Heikki.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\u201dWith at best 70 people and several units in Finland and Estonia, the scope was wide. I was responsible for production and occupational health and safety in Parkano.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Heikki Myllym\u00e4ki,<\/strong> Chief Design Engineer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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Taking the lead on projects<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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After graduation, the road led directly to Kopar for a permanent job. The first big project was Ekokem's 3-burner line in Riihim\u00e4ki, where Heikki worked as an installer. Soon after, he moved to the office and started to manage production projects from design to delivery, with responsibility for procurement, work phases, assembly and dispatch. \u201dBasically, I got the pictures from the designer and pulled the whole process through production. It was quite a school for a young designer,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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In the early 2000s, Heikki was also responsible for the procurement and manufacture of Metso's screening modules - a total of more than 600 units delivered. The projects grew over the years, and in 2008 he became Production Manager of the Parkano unit. \u201dWith a staff of 70 people at best and several units in Finland and Estonia, the scope of tasks was wide. I was responsible for production and occupational health and safety in Parkano,\u201d Heikki says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\u201dThe responsibilities grew considerably: the different units had to be welded together and ensure that production ran seamlessly. At the same time, the focus shifted more strongly to our own products and their development.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Heikki Myllym\u00e4ki,<\/strong>,<\/strong> Chief Design Engineer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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Managing complexities and a time for growth<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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In 2015, Heikki also took over the role of Production Manager of the Kopar Group. He was responsible for the production of Kopar Baltik (Estonia) and Elmomet Oy (Lehtim\u00e4ki) as well as the group's occupational health and safety activities. \u201dThe responsibilities grew considerably: the different units had to be welded together and ensure that production ran seamlessly. At the same time, the focus shifted more strongly to our own products and their development,\u201d Heikki says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201dIt was a big and instructive phase. I learned a lot about managing the big picture and how collaboration between different departments builds the success of the whole company.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\u201dNow my focus is on conveyors and mechanical equipment. I'm involved in design and development, and I'm often called upon for projects that require this particular skill set.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Heikki Myllym\u00e4ki,<\/strong>,<\/strong> Chief Design Engineer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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A new direction in design<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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In 2019, Heikki moved to production planning and soon after to the design team. His first own project as lead designer was a significant one: supplying conveyor equipment for a copper smelter in Indonesia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, projects have accumulated in different parts of the world: in Finland, the Nordic countries, Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201dNow my focus is on conveyors and mechanical equipment. I'm involved in design and development, and I'm often called upon for projects that require this particular skill set. In the Philippines, for example, I was able to go on site to measure and design how to fit the equipment into an old plant. It was a great feeling when the equipment was delivered and installed successfully,\u201d says Heikki.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\u201dIndependent and self-directed working has been the common denominator in all my roles. It gives you the freedom to develop, but also the responsibility to get the job done properly.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Heikki Myllym\u00e4ki,<\/strong>,<\/strong> Chief Design Engineer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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The best things about work: freedom and responsibility<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heikki has always valued the independence of his work and the opportunity to influence what he does. \u201dIndependent and self-directed working has been the common denominator in all my roles. It gives you the freedom to develop, but also the responsibility to get the job done properly,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For him, development and the search for new things are the lifeblood of his work. \u201dYou can't stay stagnant here - there are always new ideas that you are brave enough to try out. It keeps the work interesting,\u201d says Heikki.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\u201dThere are good benefits here and the feeling that people care. It shows in everyday life and the way things are done. It's nice to work when you know that your employer stands behind your employees.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Heikki Myllym\u00e4ki,<\/strong>,<\/strong> Chief Design Engineer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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A fair and caring employer<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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As a long-time resident, Heikki has seen a lot of different times. \u201cIn some ways, Kopar is like a juniper branch that refuses to snap, no matter how much you bend it. When you've run out of ways, you use them and always come back with your head held high,\u201d says Heikki with a smile.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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He says Kopar has always been a fair and caring workplace. \u201dThere are good benefits and a feeling that people care. It shows in everyday life and the way things are done. It's nice to work when you know that your employer stands behind your employees,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A long career has also taught me to value colleagues and teamwork. \u201dWe've always had a like-minded team here, whether it's in production or design. That pattern of working together has remained throughout the years. The team is the force that keeps things together,\u201d Heikki says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\u201dWe've always had a like-minded team here, whether it's production or design. That pattern of working together has remained throughout the years. The team is the force that keeps things together.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Heikki Myllym\u00e4ki,<\/strong>,<\/strong> Chief Design Engineer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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Tips for jobseekers<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kopar has surprised many, according to Heikki:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dFew people know what a small green hall in Parkano has to offer. We make equipment that goes from the smelters in Chile all the way to the conveyor systems in the Philippines. We need skilled and creative people to maintain and continue this history. The work is diverse and international, and you're sure to learn something new every day. If you want a job that combines technology, practical skills and team spirit, Kopar is the place to be.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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