The CEO of Image Wear is changing
Jari Lepistö as CEO of Image Wear
The CEO of Finland's leading workwear manufacturer is changing. Jari Lepistö takes the helm of Image Wear when Pekka Nikkanen retires. The change of CEO has been prepared for some time. Lepistö joined Image Wear's operations already in mid-August and has spent a month and a half getting to know Image Wear - both the company and its employees, customers and stakeholders. On the first day of October, the roles change, when he takes the reins and Nikkanen, on the other hand, continues until the end of November, supporting from the background.
Pekka Nikkanen is retiring
The early years of Pekka Nikkanen's 20-year career were a phase of change, when several companies were formed into one company, Image Wear. Along the way, the company has grown by acquiring several businesses and companies and by increasing international manufacturing operations. "Together, all of us at imagewear have created the company into a multi-service model operator and developed work clothes even by adding smart technology and digital applications to them," says Nikkanen and continues: "In this way, as an IW team, we have built our company into a superior market leader. Good IW!”
Jari Lepistö gets big boots to fill when Pekka Nikkanen retires. Janne Vettenranta, chairman of the board of Image Wear and one of the company's owners, says that Lepistö has convinced the owners with his solid experience in managing various business operations both in Finland and abroad. "We value Jari's financial, management and strategic expertise, as well as his openness and honesty. His values and world of thought are also similar to ours. We believe that Image Wear will continue to be a successful business in the coming years under his leadership", says Janne Vettenranta. Nikkanen also looks to the company's future with confidence: "It's great to give Jari the helm of the company. Our common work experience has shown Jari to be a competent, nice and open person. It is easy to trust him and leave the leadership of Image Wear in experienced hands. Good luck to Jari."
With a positive attitude to the Image Wear team
Lepistö takes the reins with a positive attitude. One and a half months of experience at Image Wear has convinced me that the new CEO can start piloting the company forward from a solid foundation. "It's great to join Image Wear's team of professionals. The company's high-quality products and skilled personnel have created a strong position and a solid foundation for success. Pekka has managed the company successfully and introduced me to the company's operations very well. The management team and personnel have received me positively," Lepistö enthuses and continues: "On this basis, it is good to continue Image Wear's success story. I am genuinely excited to be involved in continuing Image Wear's top expertise in workwear and thereby supporting the everyday life of professionals."
Thanks to the long-term CEO
Janne Vettenranta summarizes the entire company's thanks to the retiring CEO: "We want to thank Pekka for his faithful work in managing Image Wear. Under his leadership, Image Wear has developed into a multi-channel, reliable and ever-developing market leader in the workwear industry. Pekka has been a well-liked CEO, liked by staff, stakeholders and customers alike. He has led the company purposefully, efficiently and inspiring the staff. Working days with him have been fast-paced and happy. We wish Peka a very good continuation in the coming years."
More information:
Janne Vettenranta, janne.vettenranta(at)imagewear.fi , tel. 0400 733 646
Jari Lepistö, jari.lepisto(at)imagewear.fi , tel. 050 60 212