Learn more about working at Makron.

Verneri Väisänen

Mechanical Engineer, Savonlinna

I have been working for Makron for two years as a mechanical engineer. My work consists of 3D modeling, making technical drawings, and product development. Design work means developing machines constantly and every new project is different to the previous one. I spend my typical day working on my computer and communicating with the customer via e-mail and videoconference. Sometimes I visit the customer’s manufacturing site and have meetings with our customers.

Usually I’m responsible for managing my projects alone, but sometimes I share tasks in larger projects or if the project must be completed in a tight schedule. I’m also used to working on several different projects at the same time. A typical industrial project continues for several years and a need for updates may arise after a long time.

My educational background is Master of Science in Engineering. On my free time, I enjoy nature, snowmobile riding in wintertime and fishing in summer.

Makron offers me interesting assignments in large international projects. I like the flexibility of my work. One great experience has been the chance to take part in designing the machines for the Äänekoski bioproduct mill and later see them installed at the site. It was a huge project and one does not get this kind of experience often!

Margus Kuuskmann

Production Manager, Estonia

I have been working for Makron for 5 years; first as a foreman in welding and now a production manager. I’m responsible for the production in our Estonian manufacturing site. This includes project and work planning, prioritization of critical component purchases and people management on the shop floor. I constantly try to improve the production and make it more efficient.

I usually start my day with walking through the production. On that walk I talk to people and solve some problems and, many times, my day is determined by that walk. I also have meetings with the foremen to discuss the projects and with my colleague Raul to discuss sales related issues. When we are busy with lots of projects, 80 % of my time goes to project planning.

I was very proud of my team last summer when we got positive feedback from a couple of big customers on some tight schedule projects which were finalized on time and with high-quality results. Some successful changes have also been made in the production by cross-training the staff so that the production is more flexible.

What I like most about my work is that every day is different and there is a lot to do. Time flies when you are having fun.

Pia Toivonen

Project Engineer, Automation

I have worked at Elmont which became Makron since the year 2000 so quite a long time. I’m an automation engineer and I work with automation system PC applications. In practice, I build interfaces between different systems by coding. One of the simplest interfaces is between a production line and the user interface. More complex interfaces are when there are various system connections, for example ERP and mobile device interfaces.

I write the PC code to deliver the system information where it is needed and to process the data according to different needs. I work closely with PLC programmers who write the code for the programmable logic to handle the physical devices, such like motors and sensors.

My typical day is that I have meetings with my team or customers to plan ahead. I also work on my computer quite a bit to write code. The commissioning phase of a project is very hectic but also very rewarding.

One of the most rewarding moments in my work has been when I worked on a high bay warehouse project. I remember the great feeling of accomplishment when a huge elevator moved because I had created the code from scratch. I like working at Makron because I have great co-workers. Makron has grown bigger and I think it means great opportunities to do different things professionally.

Jussi Hakala

Welder, Factory Hollola

I have been working for Makron for 17 years. The best welders in our class were offered a job at Makron and I have been here since.

We work in two or even in three shifts at times. I start my day with checking on what the previous welder has done before my shift. I mostly weld stainless steel e.g. parts to reclaimer screws or stacker reclaimers.

I’m a trained sub arc welding operator which means that welding is operated in automatic or mechanized mode. Some phases like firstly connecting huge pieces together, still have to be welded manually by MIG welding. If I work on a large over 20 meters piece, we use the semi-automatic welding line which has been created at Makron. In this case, the welding line does the work and I control the machine.

One of the most rewarding projects was the welding of huge gasification tower elements for Lahti Energia’s power plant. We worked on a tough schedule but achieved a great result. The grates were welded with such high-quality and precision that the modules fit like a sock at installation phase at site. I like working at Makron because I like my co-workers and there is a good working spirit.

Juho Ihanamäki

Mechanical Engineer, Lahti

I started working for Makron 2 years ago. Nearly since the beginning I have worked at our customer Dieffenbacher in Lahti. I design machines for wood-based panel plants and my duties include, among other things, modeling, making technical drawings and selecting and dimensioning drive systems for the machine.

I start designing based on the 2D layout and information I get from the chief design engineer. Depending on the starting point and the size of the machine, designing one machine takes from a few days to one month.

My work is varied, because I have the chance to get to know new machines constantly. I have been working on nearly twenty different types of machines in two years. I like learning new things. The best moment of my work is when a challenging machine design is completed. Taking part in product development has also been interesting. When designing new features, I can use my problem-solving skills. I believe I can develop myself and grow towards more demanding tasks in my future career.