UPM Announces New Executive Team Appointments

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Heikki Vappula has been appointed EVP, UPM Biorefining, which consists of pulp, timber, and biofuels businesses. It has an annual capacity of 3.2 million metric tons of pulp, produced by four pulp mills in Finland and Uruguay, plantation operations, four efficient sawmills in Finland, and one in Austria, and a biodiesel plant under construction in Lappeenranta, Finland. Heikki is currently president of UPM's Energy and Pulp Business Group.

Tapio Korpeinen has been appointed EVP, UPM Energy, which operates in power generation and physical and derivatives trading. The business assets consist of UPM's hydro power assets in Finland and shareholdings in energy companies, with total electricity generation capacity of 1,721 MW. Korpeinen will also continue in his current role as the CFO, including responsibilities for Finance & Control, Treasury, Investor Relations, IT, Sourcing, and Real Estate.

Tapio Kolunsarka has been appointed EVP, UPM Raflatac as of September 1. Kolunsarka, a new member in the Group Executive Team, is currently SVP, UPM Raflatac, Emea. His predecessor, Jussi Vanhanen, is leaving the company of his own initiative to pursue a long-standing personal project as well as to act as management advisor with a consulting company.

Kim Poulsen has been appointed EVP, UPM Paper Asia, which consists of UPM Changshu paper mill in China and label paper operations in Tervasaari and Jämsänkoski mills in Finland. The production capacity of UPM Paper Asia is 1.5 million metric tpy of fine and label papers. Poulsen is currently EVP, Paper Business Asia Pacific and Corporate Relations.

Bernd Eikens has been appointed EVP, UPM Paper Europe. Eikens, a new member in the Group Executive Team, is currently SVP, Supply Chain, UPM Paper Business Group. UPM Paper Europe produces magazine paper, newsprint, and fine paper in 19 paper mills in Europe and North America. The production capacity of UPM Paper Europe is 10.3 million metric tpy of magazine, newsprint, and fine papers.

Mika Sillanpää has been appointed EVP, UPM Plywood. Mika, a new member in the Group Executive Team, is currently SVP, Plywood, which is capable of producing some one million cubic meters of plywood and veneer products in Finland, Russia, and Estonia.

Kari Ståhlberg has been appointed EVP, Strategy. Ståhlberg, a new member in the Group Executive Team, is currently SVP, Corporate Strategy.

Juha Mäkelä continues as General Counsel.

Jyrki Ovaska has been appointed EVP, Technology, responsible for R&D, investment management, wood plastic composite unit UPM Profi, and new business development. Jyrki is currently president of UPM's Paper Business Group.

Hartmut Wurster EVP, Technology, will retire after 12 years with UPM and 31 years of service in the industry. In addition to his main responsibilities, his active contribution in the German stakeholder relations has been invaluable, the company notes.

Riitta Savonlahti continues as EVP, Human Resources.

Pirkko Harrela, currently EVP, Corporate Communications, has been appointed EVP, Stakeholder Relations, including responsibilities for corporate communications, brand management, environmental affairs, and corporate relations and responsibility.