Glaston’s President & CEO Arto Metsänen will move to Asia to promote the company’s growth there, as well as to follow development projects in the Pacific region. CFO Sasu Koivumäki has been appointed to take over for the one and a half years that this transfer involves.
Glaston Corporation’s President & CEO Arto Metsänen will transfer to Asia on 1 January 2015 for around one and a half years to promote the company’s growth in Asia and especially in the areas outside of China and to promote the company’s development projects in the Pacific region. The President & CEO’s temporary transfer to Asia will not affect the company’s operational structure or head office functions in Helsinki.
“The significance of the Asia-Pacific market will grow in the coming years and, as living standards rise, demand for demanding glass solutions will grow. As the importance of Asia increases, we are also seeking to invest further in more customer-oriented business development. We want to understand our customers’ needs and plans better. The Asia-Pacific region also offers many new growth opportunities,” says President & CEO Arto Metsänen.
Asia accounted for 22% of Glaston’s net sales in 2013. At the end of 2013, Glaston had approximately 200 employees in Asia. The company has sales offices in Singapore and Shanghai as well as an assembly plant in Tianjin (China). Work on extending the Tianjin plant is under way and the extension is expected to be completed in autumn 2015.
Chief Financial Officer Sasu Koivumäki has been appointed as Glaston Corporation’s Deputy CEO. The appointment is effective from 1 January 2015. Sasu Koivumäki joined the company in 2002 and has been Chief Financial Officer since 2012.
In addition to his former responsibilities, Sasu Koivumäki will also assume a more active role in strategic projects as well as responsibility for investor relations. Human resources issues will be transferred from Sasu Koivumäki to General Counsel Taina Tirkkonen.
Glaston’s Executive Management Board will remain unchanged and from 1 January 2015 will be:
Arto Metsänen, President & CEO
Sasu Koivumäki, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy CEO
Juha Liettyä, Senior Vice President, Machines
Pekka Huuhka, Senior Vice President, Services
Frank Zhang, Senior Vice President, Glaston Asia
Taina Tirkkonen, General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Human Resources