Otso Ikonen
SVP Maintenance, VR Group & CEO, VR FleetCare at VR Group- Claim this Profile
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English Full professional proficiency
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Swedish Professional working proficiency
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Finnish Native or bilingual proficiency
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Russian Elementary proficiency
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Spanish Limited working proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Riku Kytömäki
I have known Otso for a long time and seeing him developing first in Sales and later in Supply Chain Management positions at ABB. Otso's background gives him a wonderful tool- and skill set thinking from customer's perspective and bringing that view into organization. As he knows how sourcing works and how purchasing people think, he also knows how to sell more value to customers. I was Otso's direct supervisor during the time when he was managing global supply chain and global footprint for ABB's Large AC Motors. The collaboration worked seamlessly and we both were on a same frequency developing the business fast, making things happen and executing without excuses. Otso is a sharp and skillful manager. He empowers people and can be at the same time demanding but still fare and good with people. He can crystallize the message and give a clear direction to the organization. After I left from ABB, I saw him growing further to even bigger P&L roles and running those businesses successfully. With Otso's wide international background and with great track record I can warmly recommend him to challenging P&L and GM roles in any global company.
Dr. Gregory H. Watson
Otso is a rare leader who understands the need to motivate his organization (ABB LMG) toward a continual effort at improvement. He has a deep understanding of the executive role in persuading the organization to keep advancing toward delivering improved customer experiences with his organization's products, services, and delivered promises. He is open to accepting organization-wide responsibility to drive prudent change to increase productivity and reduce inefficiencies through structured continual improvements that encourage the participation of all workers in accepting personal responsibility for the ownership of the quality of the routine work that they perform. I most strongly recommend him for organizational leadership positions where the development of an improvement-based culture is an essential ingredient toward future success.
Riku Kytömäki
I have known Otso for a long time and seeing him developing first in Sales and later in Supply Chain Management positions at ABB. Otso's background gives him a wonderful tool- and skill set thinking from customer's perspective and bringing that view into organization. As he knows how sourcing works and how purchasing people think, he also knows how to sell more value to customers. I was Otso's direct supervisor during the time when he was managing global supply chain and global footprint for ABB's Large AC Motors. The collaboration worked seamlessly and we both were on a same frequency developing the business fast, making things happen and executing without excuses. Otso is a sharp and skillful manager. He empowers people and can be at the same time demanding but still fare and good with people. He can crystallize the message and give a clear direction to the organization. After I left from ABB, I saw him growing further to even bigger P&L roles and running those businesses successfully. With Otso's wide international background and with great track record I can warmly recommend him to challenging P&L and GM roles in any global company.
Dr. Gregory H. Watson
Otso is a rare leader who understands the need to motivate his organization (ABB LMG) toward a continual effort at improvement. He has a deep understanding of the executive role in persuading the organization to keep advancing toward delivering improved customer experiences with his organization's products, services, and delivered promises. He is open to accepting organization-wide responsibility to drive prudent change to increase productivity and reduce inefficiencies through structured continual improvements that encourage the participation of all workers in accepting personal responsibility for the ownership of the quality of the routine work that they perform. I most strongly recommend him for organizational leadership positions where the development of an improvement-based culture is an essential ingredient toward future success.
Riku Kytömäki
I have known Otso for a long time and seeing him developing first in Sales and later in Supply Chain Management positions at ABB. Otso's background gives him a wonderful tool- and skill set thinking from customer's perspective and bringing that view into organization. As he knows how sourcing works and how purchasing people think, he also knows how to sell more value to customers. I was Otso's direct supervisor during the time when he was managing global supply chain and global footprint for ABB's Large AC Motors. The collaboration worked seamlessly and we both were on a same frequency developing the business fast, making things happen and executing without excuses. Otso is a sharp and skillful manager. He empowers people and can be at the same time demanding but still fare and good with people. He can crystallize the message and give a clear direction to the organization. After I left from ABB, I saw him growing further to even bigger P&L roles and running those businesses successfully. With Otso's wide international background and with great track record I can warmly recommend him to challenging P&L and GM roles in any global company.
Dr. Gregory H. Watson
Otso is a rare leader who understands the need to motivate his organization (ABB LMG) toward a continual effort at improvement. He has a deep understanding of the executive role in persuading the organization to keep advancing toward delivering improved customer experiences with his organization's products, services, and delivered promises. He is open to accepting organization-wide responsibility to drive prudent change to increase productivity and reduce inefficiencies through structured continual improvements that encourage the participation of all workers in accepting personal responsibility for the ownership of the quality of the routine work that they perform. I most strongly recommend him for organizational leadership positions where the development of an improvement-based culture is an essential ingredient toward future success.
Riku Kytömäki
I have known Otso for a long time and seeing him developing first in Sales and later in Supply Chain Management positions at ABB. Otso's background gives him a wonderful tool- and skill set thinking from customer's perspective and bringing that view into organization. As he knows how sourcing works and how purchasing people think, he also knows how to sell more value to customers. I was Otso's direct supervisor during the time when he was managing global supply chain and global footprint for ABB's Large AC Motors. The collaboration worked seamlessly and we both were on a same frequency developing the business fast, making things happen and executing without excuses. Otso is a sharp and skillful manager. He empowers people and can be at the same time demanding but still fare and good with people. He can crystallize the message and give a clear direction to the organization. After I left from ABB, I saw him growing further to even bigger P&L roles and running those businesses successfully. With Otso's wide international background and with great track record I can warmly recommend him to challenging P&L and GM roles in any global company.
Dr. Gregory H. Watson
Otso is a rare leader who understands the need to motivate his organization (ABB LMG) toward a continual effort at improvement. He has a deep understanding of the executive role in persuading the organization to keep advancing toward delivering improved customer experiences with his organization's products, services, and delivered promises. He is open to accepting organization-wide responsibility to drive prudent change to increase productivity and reduce inefficiencies through structured continual improvements that encourage the participation of all workers in accepting personal responsibility for the ownership of the quality of the routine work that they perform. I most strongly recommend him for organizational leadership positions where the development of an improvement-based culture is an essential ingredient toward future success.
Credentials
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Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (ICYB)
Business Excellence Solutions, Ltd.Dec, 2019- Nov, 2024
Experience
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VR Group
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Finland
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Rail Transportation
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700 & Above Employee
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SVP Maintenance, VR Group & CEO, VR FleetCare
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Aug 2022 - Present
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Bain & Company
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United States
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Business Consulting and Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Bain External Advisor
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Dec 2021 - Present
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Founder & CEO
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Feb 2021 - Present
Board and advisory services, consulting assignments and interim projects. Board and advisory services, consulting assignments and interim projects.
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Wexon Oy
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Finland
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Automation Machinery Manufacturing
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1 - 100 Employee
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CEO
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Jun 2021 - Aug 2022
CEO at Wexon Oy, your technical component specialist in various areas of process industry, industrial automation and measurement. Working relentlessly on customer service, growth and eCommerce. Changing the landscape of technical wholesale in Finland. Wexon represents several of the world’s leading manufacturers in the areas of pressure, temperature and flow control and measurement, valves and pneumatics as well as mechatronics. Their clientele includes leading OEM manufacturers in machinery, medical technology and process industries as well as a wide array of e.g. subcontracting, HVAC and food & beverage companies. https://www.wexon.fi/ Show less
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ABB
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Switzerland
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Automation Machinery Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Group Senior Vice President, Global Product Group Manager, Large Motors and Generators
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Jul 2018 - Dec 2020
End to end P/L responsibility of ABB's global Large Motors and Generators business with 7 manufacturing sites, 3300 employees and a worldwide customer base covering a wide range of industries. Expanded customer base through service focus, quality and daily engagement as well as renewed offering and go-to-market model. Improved profitability to threefold and brought the global teams together as one enthusiastic and proactive unit. Run a strategy process defining future success factors and focus areas with powerful implementation across the organization. Show less
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Vice President, Large Motors and Generators
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Oct 2015 - Jul 2018
Profit and loss responsible for Large Motors and Generators business in Finland, including two profit units and several common functions with a total of 800 employees and direct sales to key customers.Successfully lead the unit through transformation and large restructuring, creating a step-change in customer service and business results. Improved the health and safety records significantly and built excellent labor relationships and team spirit through personal engagement with all employee groups. Show less
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Vice President, Synchronous Machines
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May 2013 - Sep 2015
Profit and loss responsible for the Synchronous Machines profit unit and manufacturing operations with direct sales to key customers. Improved customer service and increased on time delivery from low levels to 100%. Built +/- 30% volume resilience and agility. Managed and constantly improved profitability in both up and down turns of business.Successfully designed and executed a long term health and safety and product quality improvement program, while simultaneously cutting customer lead times by up to 40%. Show less
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Manager, Supply Chain and Global Footprint
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Sep 2010 - Apr 2013
Supply chain and product cost as well as global manufacturing footprint management with 7 factories in EU, China, India and Americas.Managing new production units' SCM startup and supplier approvals in Brazil.
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Procurement Manager
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Mar 2007 - Sep 2010
Leading Induction Motors’ procurement team with full responsibility of material availability, quality and supplier relationships. Up to 30% savings on bill of material within 18 months.Dual role managing overseas production units' with supplier approvals, selection and ramp-ups in China/India and as Global category manager for castings.
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Sourcing Manager
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Apr 2005 - Mar 2007
Supplier management and network development of several technical categories (castings, thin plate structures, heat exchangers). Sourcing, price negotiations, supplier qualification and contracts. Global category team leader for castings.Coordinating Chinese production unit SCM start-up with supplier approval responsibility.
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Area Sales Manager (China, CIS)
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Apr 2003 - Apr 2005
Sales and marketing support, account development and channel management in China, Russia and former Soviet countries.Setting up and developing a new sales channel in Russia for the Business Unit, Participation in sales unit establishment in China.Design, development and implementation of a global tech support IT system.
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Area Sales Manager (North America)
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Jun 2001 - Apr 2003
Sales and marketing support, account development and channel management in the North American region.Completed Master of Science in Economics, while working full time.
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Project Manager
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Apr 2000 - Dec 2001
Management of engineered-to-order customer delivery projects of electrical machines for North and Latin American regions.
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Helvar
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Finland
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Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing
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100 - 200 Employee
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Product Manager
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Nov 1999 - Apr 2000
Launching of a new digital lighting control product line in the Finnish market, customer technical support, technical sales. Launching of a new digital lighting control product line in the Finnish market, customer technical support, technical sales.
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Helvar
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Finland
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Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing
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100 - 200 Employee
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Product Marketing Trainee
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1997 - 1999
Market analysis, forecasting Market analysis, forecasting
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Novoshop
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Vantaa, Finland
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Sales Clerk, Computer sales
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1995 - 1995
Retail sales of computers and equipment Retail sales of computers and equipment
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Education
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1994 - 1999
Teknillinen korkeakoulu-Tekniska högskolan
M.Sc. (Eng.), Electrical Power Engineering -
2001 - 2003
Helsingin kauppakorkeakoulu
M.Sc. (Econ.) -
2019 - 2020
IMD Business School
ABB Senior Leadership Development Program, Business Administration and Management, General -
2012 - 2013
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Executive Program in Industrial Management -
1998 - 1998
RMIT University
Business, Electrical Power Engineering -
1991 - 1994
Mäkelänrinteen Lukio
Sports High School -
2021 - 2021
Helsingin seudun kauppakamari
HHJ (Hyväksytty hallituksen jäsen) / CBM (Certified Board Member), Business Administration and Management, General
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