Quality is born from the union of people and skill

As operational manager of assembly, Mika wants to lead by example

When a consumer holds a Sako product in their hands, they feel decades of tradition, uncompromising precision and world-class quality. For Sako’s production manager Mika, this quality is not just an end result but an everyday process built on skill, pride and seamless cooperation at the Riihimäki factory.

Mika began his journey at Sako in June 2021, originally as production planning manager at the rifle factory. In his current role as production manager for rifle assembly, he is responsible for the operational management of production on the assembly side. The role combines the big picture with subtle details.

A brand to be proud of

Sako is a brand known around the world, whose products are trusted in the most demanding conditions. For Mika, a strong brand and uncompromising quality were key reasons to join the company.

It is rewarding to see a product whose manufacture you get to follow from the very beginning to the end. You then come across the same products in hunting magazines and in various advertisements, and that is a great feeling. You get to be proud.

Mika

One of the most significant successes of Mika’s career has been restarting the manufacture of self-loading products after a long break. The project, which he has been involved in from the very outset, is a concrete demonstration of Sako’s ability to renew itself and respond to market demand.

Trust and cooperation behind the quality

Even though technology and modern robotics are a central part of today’s firearms industry, Mika emphasises that Sako’s real strength lies in its people. Assembly employs well over a hundred professionals whose commitment is decisive.

We have a great crew. Even when it is not always the best day in production, cooperation and working with skilled people carry us through. I get to be proud that I can work with a great crew here.

Mika

Sako’s culture is marked by a flat hierarchy and openness. Mika values the fact that even the company’s top management is easily approachable. This creates a safe atmosphere where mistakes do not have to be hidden but are seen as opportunities to learn and to correct course quickly.

Mika describes himself as a people-oriented person who wants to influence people’s everyday work through his own example and through cooperation.

In my own role I feel a responsibility to make sure my leadership and people work are of high quality. When the company has given you the mandate to influence things, you have to be worthy of it. You try to do your work as well as you can and to give the team the conditions to perform as well as possible.

Mika

Financial strength enables continuous development

Sako’s position as part of a financially strong group creates a solid foundation for the future. According to Mika, financial stability is directly reflected in everyday management and development work.

Financial strength brings the opportunity to genuinely invest in things, whether it is safety, new production equipment or job satisfaction. It is easier to work as a supervisor when you don’t have to say ‘no’ to good development proposals, but can move things forward on sound reasoning.

Mika

Development at Sako is not just about massive projects but about continuous improvement. Mika believes in the power of small, everyday improvements that, over the course of a year, grow into significant leaps in the efficiency and quality of operations.

In Mika’s eyes, Sako’s future looks bright. Award-winning products such as the Tikka T3x ACE Target, and the positive feedback received from customers, show that a company steeped in tradition knows how to renew itself.

I see Sako’s future as very positive. We have the ability to combine modern automation and traditional craftsmanship in a way that is unique worldwide. It is a matter of honour to be part of this journey,” Mika sums up.

Mika

Developing competence and leading with knowledge

Mika’s own path from production planning to production manager is an example of the growth opportunities Sako offers. He has deepened his expertise in procurement, product design and people leadership alike. As part of the Sako Leader programme, he has been able to hone his supervisory work and find his own way to lead. He wants to bring an even stronger culture of leading with knowledge to production.

I aim to bring facts and data into the picture instead of just gut feeling. At the same time, I want to be an easily approachable support for my team. Problems are solved together once we become aware of them and agree together on what to do and how to proceed.

Mika

In everyday work, Mika stays close to the team, which also makes it easy to recognise team members’ potential and development. In addition, he holds regular one-to-one discussions, which also cover any need for support and the things a team member wants to develop. Mika feels that feedback is easy to give in both directions. Interaction is key so that things come to light and can be dealt with together.

A human culture as an enabler

For Mika, the most important factor keeping him committed to Sako is the human culture of everyday work, which shows in excellent colleagues, support and the freedom to develop. This atmosphere makes the workplace a place where you dare to shine and, at times, to fail safely.

Here you are given responsibility but also support. These are things I want to offer too. Here you can develop both professionally and as a person more broadly. A healthy and open culture also makes it possible to dare to try, without hiding any mistakes. Here no one points an accusing finger; instead, we think together about how a mistake could be avoided in future. An open and caring atmosphere also makes it possible to bring forward new ideas and, through that, to develop.

Mika