Kemppi Oy appoints new chair and board members to support next phase of growth

Kemppi Oy appoints new chair and board members to support next phase of growth

April 29, 2025

Kemppi Oy is pleased to announce key changes to its Board of Directors, effective April 30, 2025.

After 11 years of dedicated service, Teresa Kemppi-Vasama will step down as Chair of the Board. Vesa Tempakka has been appointed as the new Chair, bringing with him a strong track record in international leadership and strategic transformation. The Board is also strengthened by the appointments of Goran Popovski and Ole Kristian Jødahl as new members.

Vesa Tempakka

Vesa Tempakka

Goran Popovski

Goran Popovski

Ole Kristian Jødahl

Ole Kristian Jødahl

“We extend our sincere gratitude to Teresa for her long-standing leadership and invaluable contributions,” said Antti Kemppi, Chair of the Board at Kemppi Group. “Under her guidance, Kemppi has advanced steadily and consistently, establishing a solid foundation for future growth. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping the company’s direction.”

Reflecting on her tenure, Teresa Kemppi-Vasama comments: “It has been a privilege to chair the board for over a decade. During this time, we’ve brought several cutting-edge welding solutions to market and expanded into new geographies. The global challenges of recent years—from the pandemic to geopolitical instability—have tested us, but also highlighted the strength and resilience of our team. Kemppi continues to be a wellspring of innovation, as demonstrated by our recent product launches and the spin-offs of Kempower and Kemptron. I am pleased to continue my work on the company’s board as an active and visible owner.”

Vesa Tempakka, the newly appointed Chair, expressed his enthusiasm for the new role. “It is an honor to be appointed Chair of Kemppi Oy,” says Tempakka. “I’m excited to work closely with the shareholders, board, and leadership team to build on the strong legacy that Teresa has created, and to lead Kemppi into its next phase of strategic development.”

Goran Popovski and Ole Kristian Jødahl, both seasoned executives with deep industry expertise, will join the board alongside Vesa Tempakka.

Goran Popovski, currently President of the Mining and Infrastructure Attachments Division at Epiroc, brings extensive experience in results-oriented leadership, commercial excellence, and strategic execution. I am excited to join the Kemppi Oy Board and contribute to the company's future overall success," says Popovski. "I am convinced that we will elevate further driving innovation and commercial success within the organization”.

Ole Kristian Jødahl, President and CEO at Alimak Group AB, is widely recognized for his strategic vision and proven ability to lead organizational change and accelerate growth. “Joining Kemppi Oy’s Board is a significant honor,” he comments. “I am eager to work with the team to further enhance the company´s market position and achieve our growth targets.”

These appointments reflect Kemppi Oy’s commitment to strong governance and strategic leadership as it positions itself for continued innovation and international expansion.

Effective April 30th, the new Board members are:

  • Vesa Tempakka, Chair of the Board

  • Goran Popovski, Board member

  • Ole Kristian Jødahl, Board member

  • Anne Koutonen, Board member

  • Tomas Hedenborg, Board member

  • Teresa Kemppi-Vasama, Board member

  • Eija Kemppi Vartiainen, Board member

  • Antti Kemppi, Board member

For additional information, please contact

Tanja Eskolin

Tanja Eskolin

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The forerunners of arc welding

Kemppi is the design leader of the arc welding industry. Kemppi is the design leader in the arc welding industry. We are committed to boosting the quality and productivity of welding by continuous development of the welding arc and by working for a greener and more equal world. Kemppi supplies sustainable products, digital solutions, and services for professionals from industrial welding companies to single contractors. The usability and reliability of our products is our guiding principle. We operate with a highly skilled partner network covering over 70 countries to make its expertise locally available. Headquartered in Lahti, Finland, Kemppi employs over 650 professionals in 16 countries and has a revenue of 209 MEUR in 2023.

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