Many things fell into place when Jaakko Paloheimo took up his position as UPM Plywood's Sustainability Manager in January 2023 after a long selection process.
"I love wood with all my heart and soul. As UPM Plywood's first Sustainability Manager, I get right to the heart of the matter to communicate information about the sustainability of wood and wood products to customers and other stakeholders," says Jaakko.
As a graduate engineer in wood technology, Jaakko's background is in mechanical wood processing. In particular, international supply chains and wood construction processes have been his area of expertise for a long time, both as an employee and as an entrepreneur.
In his role, Jaakko is responsible for commercialising and communicating sustainability to provide customers with transparent, clear and documented information about UPM Plywood's products, processes and sustainability efforts. For example, in the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for WISA plywood, the environmental impact is calculated using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for the entire life cycle of the product. This allows architects, builders or designers, for example, to compare the environmental impact of different products.
"The reliable product information we provide supports our customers in their own sustainability communications. Our expertise helps navigate the complex regulatory environment, making project management smoother and reducing overall business risks."
Risks can include legal or supply chain issues, reputational and competitive damage caused by a defective or illegally imported product into the EU. Proper documentation and third-party verified processes support us in preventing such problems from arising.
Internationalisation and shared values make the work more meaningful
Jaakko's work as part of UPM Plywood's stakeholder relations team is varied and diverse – and, in a global listed company, international, which is particularly important to him. Jaakko participates in customer meetings, provides both internal and external training seminars, and monitors regulatory issues.
"I believe in renewable resources, especially wood, and their role in fighting climate change. A shared commitment to transparency and accountability, together with people-to-people meetings, brings meaning to the work."
