Jussi Hautala – From University to the Heart of Product Development at Fiberwood 

You can also start your career at a startup. This is what Jussi Hautala did, who is joining the team of foam forming experts at Fiberwood. Our Fossil Free series has showcased experienced professionals so far; now it’s time for the next generation to take the spotlight.

Word about Fiberwood had spread among the process engineering students at the University of Oulu. Jussi Hautala had summer work experience with large companies in the chemical and steel industries, but he was interested in the opportunity to develop something entirely new. Through discussions, Jussi got the chance to do his thesis for Fiberwood. One of his supervisors was Jani Lehmonen, Fiberwood’s Technology and Product Development Manager.

Jussi received the highest grade for his thesis, and now he works as a Research and Development Engineer in Fiberwood’s laboratory in Jyväskylä.

“I was interested in foam forming technology because it was completely new to me. Additionally, the use of wood fibre as a building material and the circular economy perspective were fascinating,” Jussi says.

Testing, Analysing, and Tinkering in the Lab 

Currently, Jussi and Jani are working together to find solutions for how material research can meet product functional requirements. Their goal is to develop ecological and sustainable material technology solutions based on natural materials. The team is creating formulations and product prototypes for the pilot machine, ultimately aiming for customer use. 

“We do a lot of data analysis and calculations. We search for correlations, such as what happens to the overall composition when certain materials are combined or when one variable is changed. It’s a continuous learning process,” Jussi explains. 

A key question they are addressing is the impact of raw materials on the properties of wood-fibre boards. One significant challenge is improving the boards’ strength properties. 

When lab experiments show promising results, the next step is to test how they perform in practice. The product must meet both customer expectations and the capabilities of the production line. 

“We collaborate with product development to determine if the achieved results align with the customer’s requirements and if implementation is feasible from a production process perspective,” Jussi explains. 

The job requires not only academic skills but also practical hands-on abilities as Jani and Jussi design and build devices. For Jussi, this hands-on work is the essence of the job: 

“I get excited about making things happen. That feeling of developing a product from scratch, researching and fine-tuning it, and finally producing a finished piece is worth all the effort,” Jussi shares with enthusiasm. 

Dialogue Between Generations Drives Development Forward 

In Fiberwood’s team, the exchange of new technologies, practices, and ideas between generations is evident. In Jussi and Jani’s collaboration, foam-forming expertise is passed down from the older generation to the younger. Senior team members recognise the need for younger colleagues to challenge existing norms and bring fresh perspectives. They have experienced a different era compared to Jussi’s generation: 

“We were born into a digital world where information is abundant, and things are constantly changing. We have grown up adapting and evolving. We can question old patterns, methods, and structures. Instead of hierarchies or authority figures, my generation values teamwork, good communication skills, emotional intelligence, and an innovative mindset,” Jussi reflects. 

Taking a leap into the startup world was a bold, open-minded, yet well-considered decision for Jussi, motivated by the opportunities to make an impact, learn, and succeed: 

“Fiberwood has a very professional team and great potential to grow into a significant player. I can influence the company’s future success by contributing my own work. I want to help move society forward and leave the world in a better state than we inherited it.” 

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