[pageLogInLogOut]

#Nonwovens

Suominen launches three-year profitability improvement program and introduces new operating model and leadership team

Suominen is launching a three-year program to improve the company’s profitability. The Full Potential Program targets 10% EBITDA by 2028. Suominen is also introducing a new functional operating model, with a dedicated focus on customers and factories, designed to strengthen expertise and effectiveness.


Suominen is undertaking an ambitious transformation to unlock the company’s full potential. The first phase focuses on resetting profitability through a comprehensive three-year Full Potential Program that captures improvement opportunities across the organization. The company will concentrate on fostering a culture of accountability, driving transformational initiatives, and renewing its operating model to ensure stronger, more sustainable performance.

While restoring short-term profitability is the immediate priority, Suominen will in parallel develop its long-term strategy and financial targets. These will be communicated later in 2026, providing clear and consistent direction for the company’s next stage of development.

“At Suominen, we are at a turning point. Only by improving the reliability and efficiency of our production and supply, and by strengthening our commercial capabilities, can we fully meet the expectations of our customers and shareholders. This is the first, and most urgent phase of our journey. We will upgrade our manufacturing capabilities, embed continuous improvement across all processes, and exemplify a culture of accountability,” says Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO of Suominen.

Performance improvement program to deliver 10% EBITDA by 2028

Suominen launches a three-year Full Potential Program to unlock the full potential of its operations and to enhance competitiveness by systematically improving production efficiency, optimizing raw-material usage as well as strengthening commercial excellence and procurement.

The Full Potential Program targets delivering 10% EBITDA and a 2x–3x leverage ratio (net debt/EBITDA) by 2028. The program will involve an estimated investment of approximately EUR 30 million over the three years, of which transformation costs are estimated at EUR 10 million and capital expenditures to upgrade manufacturing capabilities around EUR 20 million. The Full Potential Program does not include investment in capacity expansion.

New operating model as of February 1, 2026

Effective February 1, 2026, Suominen’s new functional operating model strengthens focus on strategic priorities, sharpens accountability across the organization, and creates a tighter connection between customer needs, technology development, and operational performance.

In the new model, commercial functions are brought together to reinforce focus on growth and business development and ensuring strong strategic alignment between R&D and customer management. The sales organization will build deep global expertise while maintaining a strong local presence to serve customers effectively across all markets, under the leadership of the Chief Commercial and Technology Officer (CCTO).

The role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) is being broadened to command all factories, safety, manufacturing engineering, procurement, and supply chain. With this change, Suominen aims to strengthen operational reliability and output by sharpening its focus on manufacturing performance and ensuring systematic deployment of best practices, continuous improvement, and harmonized processes.

The changes aim to strengthen profit and loss accountability, enhance execution discipline, and improve decision-making across both operations and commercial functions.

Changes in the Suominen Leadership Team

To facilitate Suominen’s transformation and transition into the new operating model, Suominen has appointed Kimmo Raunio (M. Sc. (Tech), Industrial Engineering and Management) as the CFO and member of Suominen Leadership Team latest as of June 1, 2026.

Until then, Suominen’s CFO Janne Silonsaari will continue in his current role. Janne Silonsaari has decided to leave the company and will support the transition until mid-June 2026.

Kimmo Raunio is an experienced finance executive with a strong track record in the industrial manufacturing sector and brings with him executive level experience of driving turnaround and performance improvement initiatives at both group and site levels. Kimmo Raunio joins Suominen from Fortaco Group, where he has worked for 13 years in various finance roles, latest as CFO and Deputy CEO.

Kimmo Raunio © 2026 Suominen
Kimmo Raunio © 2026 Suominen


Markku Koivisto, currently EVP, EMEA and CTO, has been appointed Chief Commercial and Technology Officer.

Mark Ushpol, EVP, Americas, will step down from the Suominen Leadership Team and serve for six months as EVP, Strategic projects.

Marika Väkiparta, LL.M., currently Suominen VP, Business Transformation, has been appointed Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer and interim General Counsel.

Marika Vakiparta © 2026 Suominen
Marika Vakiparta © 2026 Suominen


“I want to express my sincere thanks to Janne Silonsaari and Mark Ushpol for their significant contributions to Suominen. Their dedication has supported the company through important phases of our development, and I wish them every success in their next chapters.

At the same time, I am pleased to welcome Kimmo Raunio and Marika Väkiparta to the Suominen Leadership Team. Each of them brings deep expertise, a strong track record in driving change and performance, and remarkable people leadership skills. I am confident that, together, this renewed team has the capability, ambition, and determination to execute the transformation ahead, strengthening our culture of accountability and accelerating the business turnaround. This is a pivotal moment for Suominen, and with this team in place, we are well positioned to deliver on our full potential”, says Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO of Suominen.

Charles Heaulme © 2026 Suominen
Charles Heaulme © 2026 Suominen


Suominen Leadership Team as of February 1, 2026:

Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO

Janne Silonsaari, CFO (until latest May 31, 2026)

Kimmo Raunio, CFO, latest as of June 1, 2026

Markku Koivisto, Chief Commercial and Technology Officer

Francois Guetat, Chief Operating Officer

Minna Rouru, Chief People and Communications Officer

Marika Väkiparta, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer and interim General Counsel



More News from Suominen Corporation

#Nonwovens

Suominen AGM 2026: no dividend, Board composition confirmed, share buyback authorized

Suominen Corporation has held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 15, 2026 as a remote meeting without a physical venue. The AGM adopted the Financial Statements for 2025 and discharged the members of the Board of Directors as well as the President and CEO from liability for the financial year. The AGM also approved the Remuneration Report for 2025 in line with the existing Remuneration Policy, with the resolution being advisory.

#Nonwovens

Change in Suominen Leadership Team: Minna Rouru to pursue new opportunities outside the company

Suominen Chief People and Communications Officer (CPCO) Minna Rouru has announced her decision to leave Suominen to take on a role in another company. She will leave Suominen at the latest on August 26, 2026. The CPCO succession process has been initiated and will be announced in due course.

#Nonwovens

Suominen reports weaker 2025 results amid market pressure and US supply incidents; no dividend proposed

Suominen Corporation has published its unaudited Financial Statements Release for January 1–December 31, 2025, describing the year as an “unsatisfactory performance in a challenging environment”. Net sales and profitability declined year-on-year, reflecting lower volumes, adverse currency effects and intensified competition, while the company points to two significant incidents at its US facilities that constrained supply and weighed on both sales and profitability in the third and fourth quarters.

#Nonwovens

Francois Guetat joins Suominen as COO

Francois Guetat brings over two decades of global experience in operations, supply chain, and manufacturing excellence. Most recently, he served as SVP of Integrated Supply Chain at Kalmar, where he led business across sourcing, manufacturing, logistics and strategy. His leadership has been shaped by 22 years at Volvo, where he held key roles in Sweden, USA, and Poland.

More News on Nonwovens

#CINTE Techtextil China 2026

Cinte Techtextil China 2026 wraps up successfully, setting stage for next-gen advancement across key applications

Asia’s premier trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens delivered a vibrant and productive edition this year, bringing together key players from around the world. Featuring over 300 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions across 32,000 sqm, the platform drew nearly 19,000 visits from an increasingly diverse international audience spanning 86 represented markets.

#Nonwovens

INDA hires Ben Muller as executive director

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced that Ben Muller has joined the association as executive director. Muller brings more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning nonprofit organizations, corporations and trade associations.

#Nonwovens

25 years in the room: EDANA’s OUTLOOK™ returns to Cascais to shape a changing industry

The market does not wait, and it does not grant easy answers. Across the absorbent hygiene, personal care, and wipes sectors, business is undergoing a period of intense, necessary adjustment. New European rules on packaging, single-use items, product safety, and end-of-life are forcing companies to drop old assumptions about materials and performance. At the same time, producers must keep their goods safe, reliable, and affordable for the babies and aging adults, who rely on them every day.

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

ITMA Asia 2026: How Barmag is reshaping the future of man-made fiber production

The textile industry is entering a groundbreaking era. Manufacturers face rising energy prices, growing sustainability demands, increasing labor shortages, and an unprecedented need for flexibility. For a globally active textile industry, where competitiveness is closely linked to production efficiency and cost leadership, this means that technology is no longer merely a means of improving operational processes – it is increasingly becoming a strategic differentiator.

Latest News

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

Mayer & Cie. Global gears up tor ITMA Asia 2026

Mayer & Cie. Global will focus on mattress fabric production at ITMA Asia, taking place in Shanghai from 20 to 24 November 2026. The company will showcase one of its flagship models for this application: the OVJA 2.4 EM. Joining the mattress fabric specialist will be an OV 3.2 QCe, presented at ITMA Asia in a configuration for knitting double-face fabrics in E40. This gives the OV 3.2 QCe a combination of capabilities rarely found in the market. The German textile machinery manufacturer will also introduce its new portfolio strategy and share updates from its development team at its Albstadt headquarters.

#Associations

EU and Mercosur textile industries launch new Textile and Apparel Dialogue

EURATEX, ABIT and FITA have launched the EU–Mercosur Textile and Apparel Dialogue (TAD), a new industry platform aimed at strengthening cooperation between the European and Mercosur textile and apparel sectors.

#Spinning

FET highlights advances in fibre spinning technology at Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress

Fibre Extrusion Technology Limited (FET) presented its latest developments in fibre spinning technology at the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress in Austria in September 2026. In a presentation entitled “Spinning a good yarn”, Dr Jonny Hunter examined recent technological developments and challenges facing the fibre industry, highlighting the company's expanding range of specialised fibre extrusion and spinning systems.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Vietnam’s market evolution creates new sourcing opportunities at VIATT 2027

As Vietnam’s textile industry continues to upgrade and scale, new opportunities are emerging for suppliers of advanced raw materials, design-led fabrics, production technologies, and sustainability solutions. The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) will return 24 – 26 February 2027, presenting a cross-sector platform – spanning apparel, home and technical categories – for overseas companies to connect with manufacturers, brands, sourcing offices, retailers, and industry buyers from Vietnam, ASEAN, and beyond.

TOP