Most likely, the old excavator did not capture the attention of many buyers, because it was battered and worn, and even the traction motor was broken. Nevertheless, Juho Hallio had just signed the papers for the excavator, and here he was with greasy hands and arms deep down in the machinery. Though Hallio had completed an electrician’s degree, working with cables just didn’t feel right.
Into the forest in his uncle’s footsteps
Hallio’s uncle was an agricultural entrepreneur, who began to do felling as a side business for the local forest management association. Since the age of 14, Hallio accompanied his uncle to logging sites and drove the tractor transporting trees to roadside storage. Hallio’s interest was most likely kindled back then. Consequently, in 2005, Hallio abandoned cables, set up a business, and took on soil preparation contracts using the excavator he had repaired. A year later, it was time for his military service.
“I had to spend the lavish daily allowances on something, didn’t I? So I got myself a Ponsse S15 forwarder.” Just like the excavator, the forwarder had seen better days. “I spent the first 3–4 years struggling with poor equipment. Though I got used to repair work, in hindsight, I wonder how I coped with all that.”
Puzzling statistical anomaly
Fast forward ten years. From 2017 to 2020, Metsä Hallio’s sales grew from EUR 1.5 million to EUR 3.5 million. Last year, sales exceeded five million euros.
How did we get here? According to Hallio, the turning point came in 2009. “That’s when I took time to consider what I really wanted to do.” Once the answer came to him, it was followed by a rapid series of steps. Hallio gave up driving trucks, changed his business name to a limited liability company, expanded and modernised his fleet, and hired his first four employees. “Our growth story really is a statistical anomaly and has been a source of amazement in the field.”
Since 2012, Juho Hallio has owned Metsä Hallio together with his brother, Matias. “Like me, Matias studied to become an electrician. I watched him trudge off to school, dragging his backpack, and thought to myself that it didn’t look very promising. So I asked him to join me.”
The brothers now own the company fifty-fifty. That is another fact that often causes bewilderment. “We get along so well and have a clear division of work. I’m responsible for the company’s operations, while my brother sees to maintenance and pallet transports.”
Rapid start to cooperation
Metsä Hallio and Metsä Group began cooperating in 2018. “An acquaintance of mine sent me a WhatsApp message with a picture of a newspaper announcement where Metsä Group was looking for a contract entrepreneur in the Rauma region.” Hallio called the resource manager’s number he found in the announcement. Encouraged by the manager, he sent an email and a week later, Hallio had set up a meeting with the company.
Last year, Metsä Hallio supplied 130,000 cubic metres of wood to Metsä Group. This year’s target is 170,000 cubic metres. “The contract volumes have been adjusted upward year after year, and last year’s increase was really quite notable.”
Productivity through quality
All in all, last year, Metsä Hallio harvested 400,000 cubic metres of wood. Thanks to the increased contract volumes, the company has been able to invest steadily in its fleet. “In April we will be getting another three green machines from Joensuu.”
Metsä Hallio currently employs 24 harvesting professionals. It has five of its own lines of machines and including all the subcontractors’ machines, more than 30 work machines can be hard at work in the forest. “Growth is always welcome, as long as it is built on a healthy foundation. You need a stomach and nerves of steel in this field. Overinvestment is something you want to avoid.”
Hallio’s principle is to work towards productivity through quality. In addition to a modern fleet, the company invests in the personnel’s competence. In December, the entire personnel took part in training focused on thinning, organised by WinNova.
“The forest sector is continuously in a state of renewal and fluctuation, and we must follow development. We want to be known for our high-quality forest services. We want forest owners to ask for Hallio’s fleet to take care of their forest.”
Weekend outings with the family
Hallio’s family includes his wife Emma, and children Eino (9), Eevi (7) and Elli (3). Emma works as the financial manager of Metsä Hallio.
Juho Hallio used to be an active hunter, but as an entrepreneur and father of small children, he no longer has time for it. The weekends are devoted to the family and are usually spent hiking nearby.
“There are loads of wonderful places around Rauma. Just hitch the caravan to the car on a Thursday evening, and you soon forget your worries.”
This article was originally published in issue 1/2022 of Metsä Group’s Viesti magazine.
Text: Maria Latokartano
Photos: Elmeri Elo