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Jyrki Kesti honorary member of the Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association

Jyrki Kesti, Sustainability and Technology Manager at Ruukki Construction, has been invited as honorary member number 16 of the Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association. The award was given for Jyrki’s significant work in promoting the use of steel in both industry and academia. In addition, he has been involved in promoting the development of the steel construction industry on the association’s Board of Directors. Congratulations!

Jyrki has an extensive and impressive career in steel construction. Before joining Ruukki, he built his academic career in Finland and internationally.

Jyrki studied at the University of Oulu and, after graduating, started as a teacher at the current Aalto University. At the same time, he started postgraduate studies in sheet metal technology and fire technology as a secondary subject. In the following years, Jyrki built an international academic career and completed his doctoral thesis on the dimensioning of thermal stud structures at the University of Manchester. After returning to Finland, Jyrki worked as a acting Professor of Steel Structures at Aalto University for one year until he joined Ruukki in 2001.

Active industry development with focus on sustainability

At Ruukki, Jyrki has contributed to the research and development of several solutions. He has focused on sheet metal technology and thermal structures, acoustic solutions, fire design, energy efficiency and, most recently, sustainable solutions.

"I’ve always had good supervisors at Ruukki. They have noticed that it is good to create different scenarios for the future. In addition, I have had really good innovative groups around that can challenge." Jyrki says.

Active approach led to Jyrki being elected to the Board of the Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association and a little later becoming its Chairman in 2000-2023. There has been a lot of turbulence in recent years due to the coronavirus and Russia’s attack on Ukraine. At the same time, the steel industry has continued to work towards the green transformation. Kesti calls for a holistic approach, cooperation and deep understanding.

"I’ve always liked the diversity of my work and the fact that new things emerge. The advantage of the researcher’s background is that I don't swallow solutions without justification." Jyrki continues.

At the moment, Jyrki is inspired by a broader perspective on sustainability. "The carbon footprint is only one part of the equation. For example, we have focused on acoustic solutions and how they can improve the properties of buildings and, especially in industrial buildings, the well-being of workers. It’s great that we can take construction forward holistically," Jyrki concludes.