Timber Harvesting magazine Associate Editor Jessica Johnson sits down for a Q&A with Finland-based Ponssee Plc’s Cahirman of the Board Juha Vidgrén. For Juha Vidgrén, one of Ponsse founder Einari Vidgrén’sfour sons, and current Ponsse Plc Chairman of the Board, remembering where you came from is crucial. A former elementary school teacher turned marketer turned Board chairman, Vidgrénbelieves that by looking to the past, we can get a fresh perspective on how to live, and work hard, today. He is, as most would say, a man from a different era. When Timber Harvesting had the chance to spend some time with Vidgrénin late August in his home of Vieremä, Finland, the music pumping through his car wasn’t the rock music of his generation, but instead soft classical selections. When he talks about his life, he constantly references his father’s work ethic, making ends meet between four little ones, a farm and operating a sizable forest contractor business, and how hard his grandparents worked to keep their farm afloat when conditions after World War II left much of Finland struggling.

Featured Story: “A Ride Back In Time & Ponsse Expands Vieremä Factory”

Story & Photos By: Jessica Johnson
Company: Ponsse Plc
Location: Vieremä, Finland
TH Issue: November/December 2018

Check out other featured articles in the November/December 2018 issue of Timber Harvesting magazine.
The November/December 2018 issue of Timber Harvestingmagazine features a report on the American Loggers Council’s Annual Meeting, held October 11-13 in Seaside, Ore. A feature article by Jessica Johnson on Irish state-owned forestry company Coilltedetails the government’s timber management program. Ponsse Plc Chairman of the Board Juha Vidgrén sits down for a Q&A with Timber Harvesting and offers a tour of the company’s factory in Finland. A special section highlights the latest in cut-to-length (CTL) thechnology and systems. A Fall Demo Report covers recent demos from John Deere, Bandit Industries, Morbark, Rotochopper and CBI. A story reports on the 2018 Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show and the Pacific Logging CongressLive In-Woods Show. A historical article by DK Knight looks back at the era of the log flume. Other articles cover the latest industry news, new technology and new machinery and products.