Raisio CEO Pasi Flinkman is set to exit the Finnish food company after two years in his role. In a statement released today, 21 May, the owner of Benecol and Elovena announced that Flinkman will be leaving “Raisio to join another company.”
Flinkman will continue to serve as CEO until November or until a replacement is appointed, ensuring a smooth transition for the company. Arto Tiitinen, Raisio’s board chair, acknowledged Flinkman’s contributions, stating, “Flinkman has renewed Raisio’s operations and improved the company’s profitability in a commendable manner. Based on these achievements, Raisio has strong foundations to continue the determined execution of its strategy.”
Flinkman joined Raisio in June 2024 from Orkla’s Finnish confectionery and snacks division, following the resignation of his predecessor, Pekka Kuusniemi. His departure comes just months after Raisio unveiled a new strategy targeting the period from 2025 to 2027, aimed at adapting to evolving food and beverage industry trends.
In May of last year, the company reorganized its operations into focused units covering breakfast, snacking, food solutions, heart health, and new business development, which unfortunately led to 14 job cuts. Flinkman emphasized that this new structure is designed to facilitate “holistic, accountable management and fast, consumer-oriented decision-making.”
The strategic plan aims for €250 million ($290.6 million) in revenue by the end of 2027, with an EBIT target of €30 million over the strategy period. In 2025, Raisio reported net sales of €224.2 million, down 1.1% year over year. However, EBIT rose by 40.7% to €28 million, and net profit climbed 37.2% to €23.2 million. The decline in sales was attributed to the divestiture of its plant protein business and weaker domestic industrial sales.
Flinkman expressed his gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank all Raisio employees as well as our customers for their cooperation and trust. Together, we have strengthened the company’s financial performance, advanced the implementation of the strategy, and built a more competitive foundation for the future. I wish Raisio continued success also in the future.”
This leadership change occurs at a significant moment as the food and drink business adapts to shifting consumer trends and market demands, marking a new chapter for Raisio amid ongoing developments in the food and beverage sector.
