Pekka Rantala, who has strong experience in leading international business operations, marketing and building brand recognition, will start as Managing Director of Fazer Bakeries & Confectionery business area on 1 September 2011. Rantala has wide experience in managing an international and rapidly changing business and marketing especially in Europe, Russia and other CIS countries.
Mika Videman will start as SVP, Human Resources of Fazer Group on 1 August 2011. He has had a long career in Nokia’s different business units and in his own consulting company. Videman has strong experience in change management in an international environment and a wide business background.
The nominations and CVs of Rantala and Videman, www.fazer.fi/kuvapankki "press/appointments".
Growth in international markets
During the past few years, great changes have taken place in the food industry. A growing demand for food and uncertainty in the raw material market have caused a significant increase in raw material prices. Also the needs of customers and consumers have changed. The competitive environment is also rapidly changing, so Fazer must have the capacity to overhaul and develop its operations.
In 2010, Fazer succeeded in increasing its turnover and significantly improving profitability. The success was based on strong brands, best-selling products and a strong position on main markets.
‘Fazer’s growth will increasingly come from international markets and new product and service concepts by harnessing its strong brands. One of our goals is to continue to grow and to further strengthen our market position especially outside Finland. In order to achieve this, we will need international experience, strong strategic skills and HR management. The new Management team members complete our team with their versatile know-how and I trust that together we will be able to coach Fazer towards our challenging targets,’ President and CEO of Fazer Group Karsten Slotte sums it up.
Fazer’s Group Management Team members as of 1 September 2011:
Karsten Slotte, President and CEO
Jouni Grönroos, Executive Vice President & CFO – finance, IT, investment management, legal affairs, M&A, strategy process, security
Iris Karjula, Managing Director, Fazer Food Services
Pekka Rantala, Managing Director, Fazer Bakeries & Confectionery
Markku Numminen, SVP, strategic sales development
Ulrika Romantschuk, SVP, communications and stakeholder relations, corporate responsibility, corporate and brand identity
Mika Videman, SVP, human resources
Teija Andersen and Pekka Heinänen leave Fazer
Teija Andersen, responsible for strategic marketing in Fazer, has decided to leave her post on 1 July after 26 years at Fazer. Andersen has broad experience in management and marketing in different parts of the Group. Andersen wishes to dedicate more time to her family, working in Boards of Directors and consulting.
Fazer Group’s SVP, Human Resources Pekka Heinänen has decided to take on new challenges outside the company and will therefore leave his position as SVP, HR at Fazer as per 31 July. Heinänen has worked in the Group since 2004.
‘I would like to thank Teija Andersen and Pekka Heinänen for their long and meritorious careers in Fazer Group. It has been rewarding to work with them,’ says Karsten Slotte.
Additional information:
Karsten Slotte, President and CEO, tel. +358 40 507 7065
Ulrika Romantschuk, SVP, Communications and stakeholder relations, Fazer Group, tel. +358 40 566 4246
Fazer Group
The origins of Fazer Group lie in a family company founded in 1891 when Karl Fazer opened his first café in Helsinki. Today the Group offers meals, bakery and confectionery products and operates in a total of eight countries. Its operations are based on passion for customer, quality excellence and team spirit. The Group operates in two business areas which are committed to creating taste sensations: Fazer Food Services and Fazer Bakeries & Confectionery.
Fazer Group‘s turnover for 2010 was over 1.5 billion euros. The Group employed ca 16,500 people in 2010.
Fazer Food Services is a leading contract catering company in the Nordic and the Baltic countries, offering customers delicious food and tailor-made service solutions. Fazer
Food Services has almost 1,400 restaurants in the Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Russia.
Fazer Bakeries & Confectionery
Fazer is Finland's leading bakery company and one of the leading companies in the Baltic Sea region and Russia. Bakery products are manufactured in Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia, where Fazer operates under the name Hlebny Dom. In confectionery business Fazer is Finland’s leading company and a strong player in the Baltic Sea region. The confectionery factories are located in Finland: in Vantaa (chocolate products), Lappeenranta (sugar confectionery) and Karkkila (chewing gum).