Einari Vidgrén Foundation rewards forestry professionals

The Einari Vidgrén Foundation rewarded merited forestry professionals for the 21st time at the award ceremony held at the Vieremä factory on 2 June. The awards totaled EUR 189,530.

The foundation’s top accolade, the Einari Award, was presented to forest machine contractor Pekka Mikkonen (Metsäkoneurakointi Mikkonen P. Oy) in recognition of his long-term and influential contribution to the development of Finnish forestry. He has worked as a business owner in the forestry sector for nearly 40 years, demonstrating strong commitment, an entrepreneurial spirit and a continuous drive for improvement.

Based in Heinävesi in North Karelia, Mikkonen has made a significant contribution to improving harvesting quality, combining high standards, measuring accuracy, work safety and sustainability in his work. Mikkonen serves as a respected trailblazer and a source of support for other operators in the sector, and he actively mentors forest machine operators across several companies. In addition, he is a significant employer and a builder of communities and networks, whose work has far‑reaching impacts across the forestry value chain.

Over the years, work safety and environmental responsibility have become key principles in his work. Pekka’s aim is to leave future generations a vibrant rural environment and a flourishing natural landscape, built on high‑quality and technologically advanced forestry.

In addition to the Einari Award, awards were given in four categories:
lifetime achievement awards, special recognition awards, operator awards and student scholarships.

Lifetime achievement awards

Lifetime achievement awards were given to two long-term forestry professionals.

Peter Lundström (Parforest Oy, Parainen) has been developing his company into a pioneer of environmentally friendly harvesting since 1989. He is a trailblazer in forest management, harvesting and entrepreneurship, and has applied the principles of continuous cover forestry and emission‑reducing methods from an early stage. His work is grounded in a deep respect for nature and a determined commitment to advancing sustainable practices.

Under Lundström’s leadership, Parforest Oy has established a high‑quality operating model that emphasises careful work planning, the avoidance of forest soil damage, and respect for both the forest and the forest owner. He has actively shared his expertise and guided operators to work responsibly and to a high standard.

Puunkorjuu Torvinen Oy

Puunkorjuu Torvinen Oy from Puolanka is a long‑established forestry company with roots dating back to the 1960s. Brothers Pentti and Ville Torvinen began forest machine contracting in the mid‑1960s, and the business has continued in the family for more than 60 years. The company is currently owned by CEO Vesa Torvinen and Chair of the Board Marko Torvinen.

The company’s operations are founded on strong traditions, high professional competence and a commitment to sustainable harvesting in demanding conditions. Puunkorjuu Torvinen Oy emphasises the importance of responsible forest management and seeks to promote the growth and wellbeing of forests.  The next generation is also involved in the company, supporting continuity and strengthening the future of the family business.

“Their long careers have seen many changes and upheavals in the industry. Both of the awardees have worked meritoriously in a challenging operating environment, and the Board of the foundation wanted to show our appreciation for their high-quality work,” says Juha Vidgren.

Special recognition awards

The foundation issues annual special recognition awards to people involved in mechanised harvesting research and development and industry education development, and those who have increased awareness of and recognition for the industry. This year, special recognition was awarded to ten recipients.

“We wanted to reward associations and people that raise awareness of the forestry industry and rural professions among children and young people. We also wanted to highlight the role of women as forestry specialists,” says Juha Vidgren.

Amis Diaries

The Amis Diaries programme follows the lives of seven young people who have chosen vocational education, in different parts of Finland.

Filmbutik Oulu Oy    

In its second season, the documentary series Savotta 2 also highlights the export potential of Finnish forest machine expertise. One of the storylines follows the Finnish company Finnharvest as it undertakes forest machine contracting work in Florida in the United States.

Finnish Forest Museum Lusto

In the footsteps of a forest machine operator at Lusto. An experience showcasing mechanical harvesting and forest machine technology in a museum setting.

Rural Professions Association

The Rural Professions Association is an organisation operating in North Savo and North Karelia that introduces rural professions and rural entrepreneurship to children, young people and teachers.

Reijo Wuorio, Hakevuori Oy

Founded in 2001, Hakevuori has grown into Finland’s leading operator in the forest energy sector. Its development efforts have focused on effective solutions for energy wood harvesting and forest management.

Kaisa Reunanen, Etelä-Savon Koulutus Oy

Kaisa Reunanen has worked long‑term to develop forest machine operator training in Mikkeli at South Savo Vocational College. In autumn 2026, she will reach 30 years of service in forestry education. Kaisa knows forest vegetation particularly well and is an expert in forest ecology.

National Association of Women in Timber, Lori A. Walker, United States of America

Lori A. Walker founded the National Association of Women in Timber (NAWT) in 2019 to strengthen networking, training and career development opportunities for women working in the forest industry. Through determined work, the local initiative she launched has grown into a significant community that supports, trains and connects women across the sector. In January 2026, the organisation expanded its activities to the national level.

Juan Pablo Retamal, Luis Acevedo, Alejandro Gonzalez Liceo Bicentenario, Luis E. Correa Rojas de Curepto, Chile

At the Luis Edmundo Correa Rojas upper secondary school, one of the specialisation options is forest technician training, developed in cooperation with Ponsse Chile. The training focuses on the cut‑to‑length (CTL) method and provides students with the skills to operate and maintain modern harvesters and forwarders. The teaching combines simulator training, practical instruction and on‑the‑job learning periods within Ponsse Chile’s operating environment.

Petr Moravec, Česká Lesnická Akademie, The Czech Republic

Česká Lesnická Akademie is developing forest machine operator training to strengthen forestry expertise and education in the Czech Republic. The school has more than 170 years of tradition in forestry education and is the only forestry school in the country that offers training for forest machine operators. The development of the training is supported by close cooperation with faculties of forestry and international forestry schools. 

Einari operator awards

The award criteria for operator awards include customer-driven, high-quality work, an unrelenting attitude when it comes to the quality of work, and good cooperation and communication with forest owners and other stakeholders. Einari had a clear idea for the award criteria: those operators whose quality of work is high and have a good attitude with good customer service skills have earned their awards. This year, the Einari Vidgrén Foundation gave 41 Einari operator awards for high-quality work.

Anton Mikkonen, Ylämylly, Motourakointi Pikkarainen Oy

Pasi Manninen, Äänekoski, Metsäheput Oy

Kimmo Oranen, Kangasniemi, Veljekset Hokkanen Oy

Tuomo Kämäräinen, Savonlinna, Aatto Silventoinen Oy

Samuli Mikkonen, Kajaani, Metsätyö Konola Oy

Harri Piirainen, Kuhmo, Kalevi Määttä Oy

Jere Rasinkangas, Kajaani, Moto Team Tauriainen Oy

Robert Taavo, Ii, Iin Metsätyö Oy

Antti Korkalainen, Rautavaara, Koneurakointi Lukkarinen Oy

Joni Tanskanen, Polvijärvi, Metsä Kallinen Oy

Jouni Malmstedt, Kerimäki, Metsä-Raikuu Oy

Teemu Marin, Nilsiä, Pekka Hakkarainen Oy

Ossi Hietaharju, Ilmajoki, Koneurakointi Päivärinta Ky

Vili-Petteri Viitanen, Kankaanpää, Timberlog Oy

Ville Vuonnala, Savukoski, L Harju Oy

Jari Parkki, Littoinen, Metsäkonepalvelu Oy

Kim Virtanen, Hämeenlinna, Jyrki Virtanen Tmi

Arto Takkunen, Kuopio, Metsätyö Markop Oy

Antti Heiskanen, Heinävesi, Heinäveden Koneurakointi Oy

Henri Ojala, Noormarkku, Motourakointi J. Kangas Oy

Timo Sarola, Joensuu, KoneJätkät Oy

Joonas Öhman, Parainen, Parforest Oy

Juha Meriläinen, Nurmes, Koneurakointi S. Kuittinen Oy

Miska Lauronen, Pudasjärvi, Metsäkoneurakointi Reino Alatalo Oy

Jouni Kolehmainen, Iisalmi, Urakointiliike Leinonen Oy

Aleksi Rautio, Pello, Kimmo Kulojärvi Oy

Sami Nenonen, Naarajärvi, TS-Metsä Oy

Juha Luoma, Evijärvi, Granvikin Metsätyö Oy

Jani Vartiainen, Joensuu, Metsä-Majoinen Oy

Olli Partiainen, Kuopio, Ketjupojat Oy

Ari Jääskeläinen, Keitele, Nilakka Forest Oy

Jyrki Kemppinen, Punkaharju, Koneurakointi Mutikainen Oy

Manu Väyrynen, Ristijärvi, Puunkorjuu Junkkarit Oy

Mika Töllikkö, Hamina, Urakointi R&M Kotola Oy

Anssi Kemppainen, Paltamo, Konetyö Korja Ay

Mikko Perttu, Kauhava, Konepalvelu Hölrin Oy

Jaakko Solehmainen, Joensuu, Kaivuu ja Kuljetus Kari Kuivalainen Oy

Tommi Helin, Mäntsälä, Koskenmyllyn Korjuu Oy

Ville Moilanen, Karttula, Karttulan Metsätyö Oy

Anssi Ronkainen, Multia, Veljekset Lehtomäki Oy

Timo-Antti Liimatainen, Viitasaari, Keski-Suomen Metsäkymppi Oy

Student scholarships

Student scholarships are awarded to forest industry students who have performed well in their studies. This year, the foundation gave student scholarships to 39 forest industry students. The scholarships were given to the students at the end of the term.

School

Students

Etelä-Savon Koulutus Oy, Pieksämäki - Sami Laitinen and Arttu Liimatainen

Etelä-Savon Koulutus, ESEDU, Salosaari and Mikkeli - Niko Byman and Tino Anttonen

Yrkesakademin i Österbotten - Anton Björkell and Tobias Östring

Oulu Vocational College, Taivalkoski - Jere Alatalo and Jyri Tyni

Educational Consortium OSAO, Muhos - Eetu Keränen and Anni Marttinen

Tampere Vocational College Tredu, Kuru - Jaakko Leino and Vili-Casper Nurmela

TTS Työtehoseura - Kasper Pakarinen and Jorma Kalteva

Länsirannikon Koulutus Oy WinNova - Severi Ruohomaa and Aleksi Henttinen

Riveria, Valtimo - Joel Apell

Gradia, Jämsä - Tero Lähteenmäki and Arttu Jokinen

Seinäjoki Joint Municipal Authority for Education Sedu, Ähtäri - Turkka Saarela and Niila Tiainen

Federation of Education in Central Ostrobothnia - Niilo Huuki and Niko Mottisenkangas

Lapland Vocational College REDU, Rovaniemi - Kasper Rautio and Venla Olivia Kallo

The Vocational Education Institute of Northern Central Finland, Uurainen - Niko Parikainen and Eetu Lähteinen

Häme Vocational Institute EVO - Paavo Lindholm and Joona Harjula

Savo Vocational College - Santeri Tirkkonen and Ville Saastamoinen

Saimaa Vocational College, Ruokolahti - Aku Ahonen and Jesse Siiropää

Keski-Uusimaa Joint Municipal Authority for Education and Training / KEUDA - Sampo Lievonen and Lukas Skomars

Samiedu Vocational College - Juho Koski

Kainuu Vocational College - Osku Pussinen and Kasperi Kyllönen

Livia College (Peimari education municipality association) - Touko Ali-Raatikainen

Vieremä, 2 June 2026

Einari Vidgrén Foundation
Juha Vidgrén, Chair