From Payroll Administrator to Factory Manager – When an Employer Enables Growth
Agility and courage are core values at Crimppi. These values were not invented afterwards – we were agile and courageous first, and only later realized to formalize them as part of our values. So this is not just about nice words; our entire way of operating is built on these principles. Otherwise, many things would never have happened.
My own career is proof of that. I am driven by change, and my curiosity often takes over – standing still quickly makes me bored. That’s why I repeatedly find myself diving headfirst into the next task, project, or new skill to learn, even if it can feel a bit intimidating at times.
One might think that with such a desire for new challenges, I would have changed jobs frequently. But not at all! I initially joined the company as a payroll administrator, planning to stay for just one year. This year, I celebrate my 19th anniversary at Crimppi, and today I work as a factory manager. I am still passionate about my work and satisfied with my decision to grow alongside Crimppi.
60% of our employees are women, which is why I gladly said yes when Jannica called and invited us to participate in the VoimaNaiset seminar in Vaasa. I believe we have a lot to offer in the Vaasa region – both as an employer and as a bold frontrunner.
When We Make Decisions – We Follow Through
A global company like Crimppi is not always perceived as particularly agile. So how does agility show in our operations? For example, through bold decision-making. An agile organization cannot hesitate for long.
And when we make a decision, we act on it – thoroughly and immediately. When our order backlog grows, we have the courage to invest in new production facilities and recruit new colleagues. This is largely the result of Crimppi’s culture. The company’s owners have always wanted to stay one step ahead. And when growth happens quickly, it becomes even more important to do things properly. Many things risk stagnating if momentum fades into hesitation. When the foundation is strong, there is no need to hesitate.
All of this is made possible by openness and responsibility. It is truly inspiring to lead a business and a team where doing things well and correctly is part of the organizational DNA.
We Lead with a Human Approach
We prioritize a positive work environment. At Crimppi, there are many different types of roles, but we share a common belief: work should be enjoyable. In a safe workplace, any topic should be open for discussion.
Many people at Crimppi have grown by transitioning between roles internally. This kind of development is not unusual for us. We can always reflect together on how to support individual growth. As a manager, I see this as invaluable.
I often say that I aim to lead with “firm kindness.” By that, I mean clarity, consistency, and humanity. It is essential that everyone feels their work is meaningful. And in our line of work, there are no excuses not to be flexible and understanding. I believe that this openness enables the agility that has allowed Crimppi to take significant leaps forward time and time again. In such an environment, both the company and its people can grow side by side. It also encourages people to stay – and allows the company to grow in ways that might seem daunting in more rigid organizations.
But then again, what would I know – I’ve spent most of my career here.
Crimppi in brief:
Leading manufacturer of wiring harnesses
Customer service, quality, and responsibility at the core
Revenue: €33 million
400 employees
Factories in four countries
Heli Toppinen,
Factory manager
Crimppi