Jenni Hallanaro, Product Developer

What is your role at Berner?
I work as a product developer in Berner’s Research and Development unit. My primary responsibility is the product development of the Oxygenol and Herbina brands.

When did you start at Berner?
I started at Berner in early 2016. My first role was as a product development laboratory technician, and since then I have progressed to product development tasks. Initially, I focused on Oxygenol products, and later my responsibilities expanded to include Herbina products as well.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I particularly enjoy the variety and dynamic nature of my work. Every day is different! Product development projects constantly present new challenges, and the work involves closely following legislation and sustainability issues. My job is very diverse, making it especially rewarding.

What do you think is the best thing about working at Berner?
The best things about working at Berner are definitely my colleagues and the team. I also appreciate how well employees are cared for at Berner. We have excellent occupational healthcare and employee benefits. Additionally, Berner’s family-owned background shows in the long-term and sustainable way things are done. This gives the work a deeper sense of purpose and security for the future.

How does sustainability manifest in your work?
Sustainability is an integral part of my daily work. In our team, I am particularly responsible for supply chain sustainability assessments, such as the sustainability of raw materials. This shows up in my work every day, for example, in assessments related to palm oil and the EU’s deforestation regulation. Sustainability is not just about product development; it encompasses much broader perspectives.

What does the purpose of Berner’s existence, protecting tomorrow, mean to you?
Protecting tomorrow is especially reflected in the development of sustainable and responsible products. My goal is to ensure that consumers are offered high-quality and responsibly produced domestic products. Seeing products from the Heinävesi factory on store shelves gives me a particular sense of fulfillment, and domestic product development and production are important values to me.

How do you spend your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy sports and spending time with family and friends. I engage in a variety of physical activities and also enjoy cultural events, such as going to the movies. Reading is another hobby I love. Additionally, I am a passionate sports fan, particularly when it comes to figure skating, which is close to my heart as I practiced it during my childhood.

Azad Razin, Service Engineer, Healthcare and laboratories

What is your role at Berner?
I work as a service engineer in the laboratories business unit. I install and service laboratory and medical devices. My job also involves customer training and supporting the sales team. Additionally, I assist internally with tasks such as pricing and providing service support.

When did you start at Berner?
I started at Berner in 2018.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I especially enjoy that no day is ever the same. Each day brings new challenges to solve, which keeps the work interesting. I also love traveling and the opportunity to see more of Finland and learn about Finnish culture.

What do you think is the best thing about working at Berner?
The best thing about working at Berner is the open and supportive work environment. My colleagues have always been encouraging, and this positive atmosphere has made me feel valued and an important part of the team. The opportunities for continuous learning and development are also a significant benefit.

How does the increasing importance of sustainability show in your work?
Sustainability is a key part of my daily work at Berner. We focus on using sustainable products and materials. In my role, I ensure that equipment remains functional and in use for as long as possible, which reduces waste and emissions. Berner also partners only with companies that adhere to high sustainability standards.

What does the purpose of Berner’s existence, protecting tomorrow, mean to you?
To me, being a “Protector of Tomorrow” means committing to sustainable development and securing the future. In my work, this is reflected in many ways, such as favoring sustainable practices and using low-emission vehicles. Everything we do is designed to leave the world a better place for future generations.

How do you spend your free time?
In my free time, I focus on charity work, particularly in Bangladesh, where I organize relief efforts to address the challenges caused by floods and cold winters. I collect donations, such as warm clothing, and deliver them to those in need. I also spend time with my family and participate in local community activities that help Bangladeshi youth adapt to life in Finland. This way, I try to combine my free time with my charity work and make a positive impact on both communities I belong to.

Mika Hyövelä, Director of Development, Agricultural trade

What is your role at Berner?
I work as the Director of Development at Agricultural trade. I am responsible for matters related to the development of agriculture and sustainability. I have also been involved in the Helmi project, which aims to develop starch potato cultivation in collaboration with Finnamyl and Lapuan Peruna.

When did you start at Berner?
I started at Berner about two years ago, around late November or early December 2022.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
The work at Berner has been diverse and varied. One of the best aspects of the job is the close cooperation with farmers. It has been particularly rewarding to innovate with farmers and see the positive effects of these changes both on a farm level and from a broader perspective.

What do you think is the best thing about working at Berner?
We have an inspiring and forward-thinking work community.

How does the increasing importance of sustainability show in your work?
The importance of sustainability has grown significantly over the past two years I have worked at Berner. A good example of this is the Helmi project, which focuses on improving starch potato cultivation. Initially, the goal was to enhance the profitability of cultivation and secure the long-term raw material supply for Finnamyl and Lapuan Peruna.

However, sustainability aspects have become increasingly important during the project, especially regarding more efficient nutrient use, crop diversification, and requirements for maintaining plant cover. The project is also developing field-specific emission calculations, allowing for better monitoring of the impact of sustainable farming practices on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

This shift reflects a broader trend toward sustainable solutions in farming that support both economic viability and environmental responsibility.

What does the purpose of Berner’s existence, protecting tomorrow, mean to you?
To me, protecting tomorrow means we have a responsibility to provide farmers with solutions that enable agriculture to respect the environment and natural resources, while ensuring productivity and economic sustainability in the long term.

How do you spend your free time?
I try to stay active by going to the gym and mountain biking. I also enjoy fly fishing in the summer and fishing in the archipelago in the fall before the ice comes in.

Suvi Kemmo, Sales Director, Healthcare and laboratories

What is your role at Berner?
I work as the Sales Director for laboratory business in the Nordic and Baltic regions. I am responsible for advancing the laboratory business strategy and leading people in an international environment. I mentor the managers in my team and help them achieve their goals. Our work spans across borders and organizational lines, so international collaboration is a key part of my role.

When did you start at Berner?
I joined Berner about eight years ago through a company acquisition. Berner acquired Ordior, a laboratory equipment distributor where I was working. Upon joining Berner, I started as a sales manager in the research and analytics team. My role has evolved over the years, and I took on my current position as Sales Director for the Nordics and Baltics two years ago when Berner acquired ClaraLab, a laboratory sector company.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I especially enjoy interacting with people, as I get energy from working with others. It’s great to work with amazing people and to constantly learn new things. It’s important to me that the work community is energizing and that the job offers the right amount of challenges. I also like seeing the big picture and driving business development. I aim to create opportunities for my team to shine and grow in their careers.

What do you think is the best thing about working at Berner?
Berner’s diversity across different business sectors is a huge strength. We operate in various business areas, allowing for networking, leveraging synergies, and learning from different sectors. The company’s Finnish roots and entrepreneurial spirit are also important. Working at Berner offers a balance of freedom and responsibility, which is highly motivating for me. There’s room to learn and make mistakes, and I strive to promote an open and safe work environment.

How does sustainability manifest in your work?
The importance of sustainability is growing, especially in the laboratory business. We need to ensure that our distributors meet Berner’s sustainability requirements. In the Nordics, environmental requirements in public procurement have become stricter, which requires a lot of effort from us. However, I believe that by heavily investing in sustainability now, it will become a significant competitive advantage for us in the future.

What does the purpose of Berner’s existence, protecting tomorrow, mean to you?
Our laboratory equipment business is closely aligned with the core of protecting tomorrow. We work with equipment used in the production of food, various raw materials, and medicines. Our work ensures that the products we use are safe and of high quality. This is a clear example of how we contribute to protecting tomorrow.

How do you spend your free time?
I spend my free time at the cottage, exercising, and outdoors with my dog, Hemi. Fishing is my passion, and I spend nearly every weekend at the cottage fishing. Spending time with family and friends, as well as supporting my son in his rally driving hobby, are also close to my heart.