UPM Announces Group Executive Team Appointments

To ensure prompt implementation of profitability improvement and growth plans (see article in Pulp & Paper section above), UPM, Helsinki, Finland, says that its board of directors has confirmed several appointments to its Group Executive Team. The appointments are: 

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 sawmills in Finland and one in Austria, and a biodiesel plant under construction in Lappeenranta, Finland. In H1 2013, sales of the business was EUR 1,044 million and EBITDA EUR 234 million. Heikki is currently president for 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. In H1 2013, sales of the business was EUR 242 million and EBITDA EUR 106 million. Tapio will also continue in his current role as the CFO, including responsibilities for Finance and 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 of 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 adviser in one of the leading consulting companies. UPM Raflatac manufactures self-adhesive label materials for product and information labeling. In H1 2013, sales of the business was EUR 608 million and EBITDA EUR 54 million 

Kim Poulsen has been appointed EVP, UPM Paper Asia. UPM Paper Asia consists of UPM Changshu paper mill in China and label paper operations in Tervasaari and Jämsänkoski mills in Finland. In H1 2013, sales of the business was EUR 557 million and EBITDA EUR 84 million. 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 of 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. In H1 2013, sales of the business was EUR 2,730 million and EBITDA EUR 66 million. 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. Sillanpää, a new member of the Group Executive Team, is currently SVP, Plywood. UPM Plywood is capable of producing approximately one million cubic meters per year of plywood and veneer products in Finland, Russia, and Estonia. In H1 2013, sales of the business was EUR 219 million and EBITDA EUR 21 million. 

Kari Ståhlberg has been appointed EVP, Strategy. A new member of the Group Executive Team, he is currently SVP, Corporate Strategy. 

Jyrki Ovaska has been appointed EVP, Technology, responsible for R&D, Investment Management, wood plastic composite unit UPM Profi, and New Business Development. Ovaska is currently president of UPM's Paper Business Group. 

Hartmut Wurster EVP, Technology, will retire after 12 years at 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. 

Pirkko Harrela, currently EVP, Corporate Communications, has been appointed EVP, Stakeholder Relations, including responsibilities for Corporate Communications, Brand Management, Environmental Affairs, Corporate Relations, and Responsibility. 

All members of the Group Executive Team report to the president and CEO. Unless otherwise noted, the appointments are valid as of November 1.