Erkka Wartiainen, who started as Sales Manager at Finnchain in April 2026, has 25 years of experience in international sales. In addition to the Nordic countries and the Middle East, his focus is on future markets such as India. At the core of sales work are collaboration between people and solutions tailored to meet each customer’s individual needs.
WORK ON A DAILY BASIS
As Sales Manager, my work consists of tender calculations and drafting proposals, staying in touch with distributors, and mapping out new partners and market areas. Currently, I am responsible for the Nordic countries and the Middle East, where we see many opportunities for growth. Among future markets, India also holds a lot of potential, and developing that market will be one of my key areas of responsibility.
WORK AT POINT
I mainly work at the Rauma office. Traveling is also an essential part of international sales, and I feel it is important to meet people face-to-face. At Finnchain, I have been able to participate in events such as the IFAT trade fair in Germany and Water Days in Finland, as well as host groups of foreign visitors in Rauma.
Erkka Wartiainen has 25 years of experience in international sales.
WORK WITH EXPERIENCE
I started at Finnchain at the end of April 2026 and received a solid onboarding to the role right away. In addition, I got to cover for other sales representatives during their summer holidays, which provided a great opportunity to gain a broad understanding of Finnchain's operations, various market areas, and distributors. At the same time, I have been able to see how our products integrate into larger entities and our customers' different projects.
By education, I am an engineer in electronics and telecommunications. I have about 25 years of work experience in international sales, sales management, product management and development, and the service business. I have worked with diesel power plant manufacturing and aftersales, served as the person responsible for kitchen manufacturing CAD software, and handled the sales and customer service of equipment, spare parts, and maintenance for solid waste handling solutions. I have also led a sales team for intralogistics aftersales and related projects.
WORK FOR KNOWLEDGE
Our projects are often long-term – they can last up to several years – so perseverance is essential in sales. We deliver equipment that forms part of a larger whole, so in my work, I constantly think about how I can help our distributors succeed in their own work and find solutions that fit the individual needs of end customers. Therefore, understanding the big picture and its component parts is key.
Working internationally also requires an understanding of the operating methods and cultures of different countries. Our local representatives play a crucial role here. They know their own market, language, and bureaucracy, which helps move things forward efficiently.
”We deliver equipment that forms part of a larger whole, so I constantly think about how I can help our distributors succeed in their own work and find solutions that fit the individual needs of end customers,” says Erkka Wartiainen.
WORK FROM THE HEART
The reward of sales work comes from many things, but one of the most important is meeting people. You are constantly meeting new people here, and even though we operate business-to-business, in the end, it is always about human interaction. It is great to build trust and find a solution for a customer that truly serves their needs. Despite my long experience, I am constantly learning something new on the job. Products and technology evolve, but every customer, project, and market also brings something new along with it.
WORK AS CLEARLY THE BEST
Finnchain's products are excellent, and working in environmental technology feels meaningful. We do our part to ensure that wastewater is treated efficiently and the environment is kept clean.
Our equipment is durable, and a long service life says a lot about its quality. Finnchain's scraper systems have served for over 20 years without major maintenance. Our job is therefore also to ensure that the equipment stays in good condition through servicing and spare parts.
Finnchain is a bit like a big family where everyone knows each other on a first-name basis. That makes daily life straightforward and enjoyable.
