In this article series, we want to shed some light on the people behind Timberwise’s parquet production. Our operations at the factory are fast-paced and demanding. The team knows each other well, and many have been with the company for several years—some even since the very beginning. The work community is tight-knit, with a great atmosphere where everyone is always ready to lend a hand.
From the moment a customer places an order for parquet, that single order will pass through about 25 pairs of hands. The process includes tasks such as inputting the order in the office, all the production steps at the factory, and the work done in packaging and shipping.
In this series, we will highlight a few of our employees to talk about their work at Timberwise. At the same time, we’ll share some fun anecdotes from their years on the job.
Niko has worked at Timberwise’s factory for 15 years. Originally, he was only supposed to come in for a couple of weeks to replace dust bags in the filter system. As those two weeks were almost up, CEO Markku Mäkitalo offered Niko a position as a planer operator in the intermediate slat hall. Niko worked at that station for about six months before moving to machining operations. That role quickly turned into a decade-long stint until, one fine day, Markku approached Niko at the tongue-and-groove line and asked for a meeting in his office.
During the meeting, Markku told Niko they needed a dedicated supervisor for production. Caught off guard, Niko simply replied, “What?” to which Markku decisively responded, “You’re sitting right here.” After a couple of days of consideration, the two shook hands, and Niko stepped into the role.
Now, four years later, Niko’s job has evolved significantly. He currently serves as both a supervisor for 25 employees and a production planner. For Niko, the best part of the job is the freedom to perform his work in the way he sees fit. His goal is to keep improving in his role—progress is always the aim.
Salla has worked at Timberwise for a total of 17 years. She is the factory’s ever-cheerful and smiling colleague, someone everyone enjoys being around, with laughter never far away. Salla’s journey began in the final sorting area, after which she worked on creating samples for various purposes and packing design floors. Currently, Salla works on the surface line.
What Salla enjoys most about her job is that it requires real thought and isn’t just repetitive work. The responsibility feels rewarding because she knows her efforts truly matter. This work has real significance, as these crucial stages result in high-quality, domestically made flooring delivered both in Finland and abroad.
The factory team is fantastic, and Salla shares that she genuinely enjoys her job. She sums it up perfectly: “Right here, right now, everything feels just right.”
In her free time, Salla spends time with animals, enjoys long walks, and explores forests. She appreciates having weekends off to provide a balanced contrast to her work life.
