Genuine opportunities for global success, believes the new Head of Key Accounts
Jouni Hillberg, who has worked in the international plastics business for 20 years, wasn’t planning on returning to plastics sales, but the promising development trajectory of Syklo and its motivated team inspired him to take on the challenge. Since January, he has been responsible for Syklo’s technical sales and major recycled plastic accounts. It’s a great opportunity to return to ground-level business after working in a billion-dollar industry.
The new Head of Key Accounts at Syklo knows from experience how to open doors for a new brand in the global plastics markets. Now, he has decided to do it together with the Syklo team.
“I thought I’d take one more trip on a growing company’s journey,” says Jouni Hillberg.
Business networks across continents
Hillberg, working remotely from his home in Tampere, sees his key asset as the business networks he has built over twenty years in the plastics industry, spanning countries such as Korea, China, Europe, and North and South America.
These contacts were formed over time through his involvement in the growth of Finnish companies as well as his work in large international corporations. For example, in China, Hillberg lived for three years with the goal of building effective networks to Korea, China, and Southeast Asia.
“I was helping to build a Finnish company as a part-owner starting in 2005. In 2017, we sold the company to a British firm with a billion-dollar turnover, which, five years later, sold the operations to an American company with a turnover of $170 billion.”
Return to ground-level operations
Hillberg notes that in large international corporations, the opportunity for an individual to make an impact is much smaller compared to companies in their building phase.
“At some point, I realized that such an environment wasn’t the optimal place for me to work. I was looking for something different.”
That something else turned out to be the opportunities offered by Syklo – a return to ground-level, in a way.
“This was a perfect moment to jump on board, as the organization is relatively small, and each team member really has their place in front of high targets. Since the job interview, I’ve sensed a wonderful atmosphere of communication and mutual support at Syklo. It brings back nostalgic memories of the early days of my own company,” he describes.
Plastic recycling plant is a leap for Syklo
The new sales leader knows the challenges Syklo is currently facing. The planned mechanical plastic recycling plant and extrusion process lines will require determined and long-term work.
“Our own systems, production processes, and quality windows must be ready before industrial-scale production starts and we move toward international business,” he states.
“But I believe that Syklo’s products have real opportunities for global success. I’m excited to be part of this – out of love for the field.”
Our team warmly welcomes Jouni as part of Syklo’s growth story and sustainable future!