Cimcorp’s current CEO Tero Peltomäki is retiring after a long and noteworthy career, he continues in the board of directors. Tero will pass the baton to Veli-Matti Hakala, who wants to maintain Cimcorp’s positive culture and hands-on innovation as the company grows.
With over 25 years of experience in industry and technology, Veli-Matti Hakala first joined Cimcorp in 2016 for a chance to work in an innovative and international environment. He has grown within the company from sales to management and last year he has worked as the Executive Vice President.
The objective for the upcoming years is steady but determined growth in both our company and our clientele. The foundation for this is Cimcorp’s core technology and software that function in different segments.
Veli-Matti Hakala CEO, Cimcorp Group
The growth objectives apply to both grocery retail and tire plant logistics that Cimcorp has successfully branched out to in recent years. Additionally, the Service business, as a cross-cutting organization, has the potential to be one of the key enablers of growth.
Keeping presence on board while the company grows
According to Hakala, steady growth is characteristic of Cimcorp. By taking measured steps, the company has maintained a high service level and a consultative role, listening closely and sharing decades-long experience.
“Cimcorp has always grown by starting small in the new business segments. We’ve created one solution first, and as we’ve gained more knowledge of our clients’ challenges, we have been able to expand”, says Hakala. The deep understanding of the client’s business environment doesn’t just show up in sales and design, but throughout the project.
Veli-Matti Hakala wants to promote Cimcorp’s growth in a way that allows innovation and culture of caring to continue.
“In every phase, we aim to bring our experience to the table and even challenge the client’s initial perspective. We are interested in what our client does and how it could be done better and more efficiently.”
This is exactly what Hakala wishes to cultivate in his new position as CEO. “I want to promote Cimcorp’s growth in a way that allows us to hold on to what we have – our innovative spirit and genuine care for the client. A CEO has a vital role in keeping those things on board as the company grows. We need to remember how we got to where we are today.”
From individual solutions to end-to-end automation
Instead of a passing trend, automation is an inevitable course, Hakala says. Both the tire and grocery retail industries have, in the past, automated individual machines and parts of their operations. In recent years, automation has spread throughout the facilities.
Companies want to be able to see the entire operation with one look, utilize analytics, optimize processes, and lead with data. Cimcorp’s own software and software development enable the management of these entities.
We can see exponential growth in automatics in distribution centers. As grocery chains centralize their operations, the number of items flowing through the centers grows massively, and simultaneously, it’s difficult to find personnel to do the heavy lifting.
Veli-Matti Hakala CEO, Cimcorp Group
Nature and family are key parts
Outside of work, Hakala likes to flyfish, ski and snowboard. Time spent with family and in nature is a key part of his life. To develop himself and his skills, he follows a simple recipe. “My career has taught me that development comes from listening. Everything starts with listening, gathering information, questioning, and analyzing.”
In addition to Hakala’s promotion, Cimcorp has also appointed Tommi Kumlander as Deputy CEO and Jarno Honkanen as VP, Solutions & Technology, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Veli-Matti Hakala
Veli-Matti Hakala
Veli-Matti Hakala enters his position as CEO of Cimcorp on 1.1.2025. Tero Peltomäki stays on as a member of the board of directors. Tommi Kumlander has been appointed as Deputy CEO starting from 1.1.2025 as well.
