Chief Operational Officer Piia-Riitta Bergman

I started here as Production Manager in January 2013. I had seen Genelec's job advertisement online and immediately got the feeling that I was looking at a special company. I was already familiar with the product line, and I knew the care and high-quality standards with which the loudspeakers are manufactured – making them long-lasting, durable products that exceed customer expectations.

My previous work took me all over the world. I lived in China and then Germany for a time, providing quality management for Nokia, among other positions. After a long period abroad, I really wanted to return to Finland and a Finnish company. Genelec immediately felt like an attractive opportunity for me.

I was already familiar with Genelec's brand, but I wanted to know more about the company, so I started to look deeper into the operation and its values. I was particularly attracted by the commitment to product development, technological leadership, sustainability and responsibility. At Genelec, sustainability is an integral part of everything we do. We really invest into product longevity and choose the most environmentally friendly ways to do things. Local manufacturing is also an important value for me, and the idea of working for a company where sustainability is a priority made this the perfect place for me.

To me, sustainability means living a life in which natural resources are valued and choices are well informed. It is about long-term development and action that carries forward to future generations – to leave a world behind that's vibrant and balanced. I want to live in harmony with nature and make everyday choices that reflect that.

My working days are very varied, often involving many different development projects and activities. I'm also responsible for staff development tasks, and I work very closely with our global sales personnel and subsidiaries. Additionally, I'm involved in our management team, where I actively participate in operational planning and meetings - giving me a very broad range of tasks altogether.

I'm particularly inspired by working with people. It's enriching to work with different teams, to see the whole of our business and to understand its wider context. I've always enjoyed innovating; bringing new things to the table provides the right challenges and makes my job more meaningful. I also find it rewarding to recruit young people and witness the enthusiasm of those who will continue our good work. Providing opportunities for these young creatives and watching them develop is a true delight.

There have been many memorable moments for me at Genelec. Some of the warmest memories I have are the discussions I had with the late company Co-Founder, Ilpo Martikainen, when I first started my job. I'll never forget those conversations, where he shared his valuable perspective on the importance of production here and our company history.

Also fondly remembered are the many developments we've had in the ways we do production, the beginnings of production for new products like 'The Ones' models, and the expansion of our factory. We have incredible teams within this company, who work with a big heart. It's a privilege to do this with them.

I've also greatly enjoyed the many opportunities I've had to meet our customers, for example when iconic Producer & Recording Engineer Sylvia Massey visited our factory, I had very interesting discussions with her.

At home, I have two teenage daughters, and I spend a lot of my free time with them. I also spend time doing fitness training and dance aerobics, and then I have a wide range of cultural interests. I know how to play the piano and clarinet, though I don't play them actively at the moment. These days, I listen to a wide range of music instead, from pop to jazz and opera to classical – and I often go to concerts and theatres. I used to live in big cities, but nowadays I enjoy the slower rhythm and closeness to nature of a small town. My hometown Iisalmi, also where Genelec is based, is an active and vibrant town where I feel comfortable and can find everything I need.

At Genelec, I'm part of building something long-lasting and meaningful, respecting both nature and people – and creating a tangible impact that will touch generations to come.

Greetings from a colleague

I have come to know Piia-Riitta as a great person who builds work communities and teams on a very human level. In discussions, she likes to bring up the aspect of collaboration, how to make people work together smoothly – with a joyful spirit. She trusts and empowers people to take responsibility, and under her leadership, production has become a community where everyone is able to feel seen and valued. She always strives to find the core of the conversation and build a common direction, while bringing a warm atmosphere of elation and appreciation. For her, work is also a shared journey and opportunity for growth.

Your colleague, Aki Mäkivirta