Heikki Pöntynen returned to Rauma - ”Let's get growth with Planner”

Planner's board chairman Ari Salmi (right) welcomed Heikki Pöntynen back to Rauma, now as Planner's CEO. "Heikki knows the industry and has a lot of international experience. There is use for it, because Planner's strategy is to grow and become international", comments Salmi. The two men have worked together in the same roles before at RMC. Planneri Group is one of RMC's key partner companies.

Heikki Pöntynen has started as CEO of Planneri Group. Ilkka Rantanen, who worked as the CEO of the planning company, continues in other position in Planneri.

"Planneri is a growth company. In five years, the number of personnel has doubled to around 50. The company is in good shape and its finances are strong. Now we want to take the next growth leap quickly. That's why we add competence and experience to the management", explained Ari Salmi, chairman of Planner's board, about the change of management.

Pöntynen is a familiar face in Rauma. He was the first CEO of the new shipyard company Rauma Marine Constructions.

"I spent five very fine and interesting with RMC. It was motivating to start a new shipyard and win its first ship order. I wrote the yard's growth strategy. A different CEO would be needed for all three growth steps. It's been great to watch how RMC has grown and developed," said Pöntynen.

Today, RMC is building three ships at the same time. Two large passenger car ferries for Australian TT-Line and the first of four warships for Finnish Navy are under construction.

Global demand for Finnish expertise

After leaving RMC Pöntynen took over a management role in international R+M Group. He left the now Chinese-owned R+M last summer.

"My job is not to teach the Chinese to build ships," said Pöntynen.

Having returned to Rauma, Pöntynen considers Planner's Finnish ownership important. The new task is also strongly motivating.

"Finnish design expertise is in demand around the world. Now we're going to look for growth," Pöntynen said.

The options are on the table: maritime industry, other industries, expansion in Finland, abroad.

"In any case, we invest in growing talent in-house with the "academy model". We will also use the tools of modern times. Planning and design business is changing", stated Pöntynen.

Strong in maritime industry 

Planneri is well known in maritime industry.  It has done planning for all big shipyards in Finland.

Planneri has been involved, for example, in all RMC's new construction projects. Planner has big projects in the basic and manufacturing design of TT-Line's passenger car ferries, which are currently in production.

Planneri is also involved in industrial services and building technology. According to Salmi, strong growth is also being sought in planning and design on the land side.