Agile, practical, and interdisciplinary. The seventh part of our Fossile Free series features Antti Romo, who shares insights into Fiberwood’s test line design project and his journey into mechanical engineering.
Few people start building relevant work experience at just 15 years old. Antti Romo’s hands-on skills and extensive knowledge stem from working in his father’s metal business in Mikkeli, where he began helping out at a young age. For Antti, a career in engineering was an obvious choice.
Encouraged by his school counselor, Antti pursued a dual degree, earning both a matriculation certificate and a qualification as a sheet metal welder. He studied mechanical and production engineering at JAMK University of Applied Sciences, gaining practical experience through summer jobs as a welder. Later, he advanced to design engineering roles and earned a master’s degree from Aalto University. At Sarlin, he led design projects in gas and energy systems. Today, as a mechanical engineer at Fiberwood, Antti is at the forefront of the company’s next major leap: designing its test line.
“Starting young allowed me to see and do a lot early on, always staying connected to the practical side. Even as a design engineer, I’ve maintained a hands-on approach to my work,” Antti says.
Antti’s career has spanned various roles, including R&D projects for underground mining machinery, procurement, design, and project management. He even served as a gas installation manager at Sarlin. In the spring of 2024, he joined Fiberwood under the leadership of production and logistics director Jari Varjotie.
A Culture of Growth and Impact at Fiberwood
Fiberwood’s team combines extensive international work experience, factory projects, and research initiatives. These accomplishments not only represent professional milestones but also reflect meaningful life experiences. The chance to grow in such an environment and contribute to groundbreaking work for a sustainable future convinced Antti that Fiberwood was the right fit for him.
“I can learn from Jari and other team members, growing alongside them. People here genuinely believe in what they do and are passionately committed. I can shape my work and even influence the entire industry. Fiberwood actively encourages that,” Antti explains.
With the completion of the test line, Fiberwood’s R&D will shift from laboratory tests and pilot-scale products to producing full-size boards for clients and small production batches. Over time, the test line will evolve into a dedicated machine for future product development.
“My role covers a range of tasks, from designing the test line to planning the facilities and infrastructure. We’ve defined the types of products the test line will produce in its initial phase and set requirements for the machine’s dimensions, volumes, forces, speeds, and operating principles. While we can’t anticipate all future needs, we aim to create a design that allows for ongoing development.”
Collaboration Drives Innovation in Machine Design
For Antti, the most rewarding part of his work is solving design-related challenges. He often draws inspiration from solutions he encountered in his father’s workshop.
“I frequently recall mechanisms or ideas I’ve seen before and adapt them into my designs. The best part is seeing an idea progress from concept to practical implementation.”
Building an entirely new machine from scratch to completion is also deeply fulfilling.
“Finding the right solutions isn’t always easy, but the challenges keep the work interesting and professionally satisfying,” Antti says.
In his current role, Antti aims to challenge traditional practices in design projects. He believes machine-building doesn’t have to be overly bureaucratic or confined to engineers alone. He advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration, appreciating that Fiberwood fosters an inclusive environment where everyone is genuinely invested in the project’s success.
“We achieve better results by bringing together professionals from different fields and engaging in cross-disciplinary research and dialogue. The insights and observations we’ve gathered so far have been invaluable in advancing our progress.”
