[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 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.

#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

Suominen reports decline in sales and earnings – Cost savings program and leadership change to drive recovery

Finnish nonwovens manufacturer Suominen Corporation has reported a noticeable drop in both revenue and profitability for the first half of 2025, reflecting a challenging global trade environment, particularly the impact of recent U.S. tariffs, as well as persistently high energy and raw material costs.

#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

CEO of Suominen Corporation changes

Suominen Corporation’s Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Charles Héaulmé, current Chair of the Board, as the company’s new President and CEO. Mr. Héaulmé will start at the latest August 11, 2025.

More News on Nonwovens

#Nonwovens

ENDURANCE Program: Driving operational sustainability at Magnera

As Magnera enters a new year, the company is reflecting on a key sustainability milestone from 2025: the launch of ENDURANCE, its global, employee-led initiative focused on waste reduction and sustainable innovation. Launched on Earth Day 2025, this initiative has generated more than 250 improvement submissions from team members across Magnera’s global operations, demonstrating strong engagement and shared accountability for sustainability across the organization.

#Man-Made Fibers

Beaulieu International Group announces acquisition of fibre company

Beaulieu International Group (B.I.G.) today announces it has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire all shares of IFG Asota GMBH, an Austria-based fibre company and a key player in the global synthetic staple fibres market. This strategic acquisition strengthens Beaulieu’s Fibres Division (BFI) and marks an important step in its ambition to become the world’s most trusted partner for sustainable nonwoven solutions.

#Associations

INDA announces future dates and locations for FiltXPO™ and IDEA® events

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the future dates and locations for its FiltXPO™ and IDEA® events, reaffirming its long-term commitment to serving the global filtration, nonwovens, and engineered materials communities.

#HIGHTEX 2026

HIGHTEX 2026: The Gateway to the Future of Sportech Textiles

HIGHTEX 2026, which will take place on 9–13 June 2026, is preparing to become a strategic meeting point for the most innovative manufacturers, technology developers, and global buyers in the field of sportech textiles. At the HIGHTEX 2026 Exhibition, where sportswear, outdoor equipment, footwear, protective sports products, and smart textile manufacturers will have the opportunity to closely explore the latest technologies, the event will stand out as one of the industry’s most comprehensive trade platforms.

Latest News

#Knitting & Hosiery

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at GMMSA Expo India

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Indian sales representative Universal MEP Projects & Engineering Services, Ltd., will participate in the upcoming Garments Machinery Manufacturers & Suppliers Association (GMMSA) Expo India 2026 exhibition to be held in Ludhiana, India next month. Through its lineup at GMMSA, SHIMA SEIKI aims to further strengthen its presence within the Indian market with an exhibit that caters to diverse needs, consisting of seam-free WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology as well as a brand-new shaping machine with high productivity and excellent cost performance.

#Research & Development

Bio-based fibers with good flame retardancy

Fibers made from bio-based plastics reduce dependence on fossil raw materials and promote the circular economy. The covalent bonding of flame-retardant additives can open the way for these fibers to enter the mass market.

#Digital Printing

Maximising print efficiency exploring ink saving features for modern print production

In today’s print industry, balancing quality, efficiency, and environmental responsibility is a growing priority. With increasing pressure on margins and sustainability, solutions that streamline production without sacrificing results are more relevant than ever.

#Knitting & Hosiery

KARL MAYER opens a new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE – a new era of textile innovation begins

KARL MAYER is opening its new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE (TIC), sending a strong signal that it is driving textile innovation forward and opening up new perspectives for the textile industry. The TIC brings together the latest developments in Warp Knitting, Technical Textiles and Warp Preparation – KARL MAYER’s core areas of expertise.

TOP