Caption: Brothers Niko, Joona, and Jani Karvonen actively participate in industry events. Pictured at Alucar Oy's annual celebration.
Three brothers - Niko, Joona, and Jani Karvonen - decided to...
The year 2025 is a special milestone for JPH-Maanrakennus Oy, a family-owned company from Joensuu – it marks 25 years in business. When Jarmo Hirvonen founded the company together with his father Pertti in 2000, the goal was to build a business rooted in sustainability and responsibility – towards customers, employees, and the environment.
Since 2010, Jarmo has been leading the company as CEO, supported by new key people such as HR Coordinator Noora Jormanainen. Last year, Jarmo rewarded long-term commitment by offering two employees ownership – a significant step in the company’s development.
JPH-Maanrakennus specializes in industrial construction, delivering technically demanding, high-quality projects. Its services include groundworks, foundation construction, and concrete works.
A reliable partner for industrial construction
Today, JPH is a dynamic and forward-looking growth company serving industries such as mining, forestry, food, and chemicals, as well as developers of commercial and industrial facilities, construction companies, and the public sector.
Equipped with its own machinery, formwork systems, and a skilled 24-person team, JPH can carry out projects throughout Eastern and Western Finland – and nationwide when needed. Strong project management keeps schedules and budgets under control.
- The customer gives us the project framework, and they can focus fully on their own business. We take care of the execution from start to finish, professionally and reliably, says Noora.
-Our anniversary year is a springboard for the next steps in growth. We are developing our operations to provide customers with even stronger expertise, added value, and to secure our position as the most desired partner in industrial construction, summarizes Jarmo.
Turning challenges into opportunities
In recent years, the construction sector has faced turbulence: the pandemic, war, and economic uncertainty have reduced investments. At the same time, the availability of skilled labor and the adequacy of Eastern Finland’s energy infrastructure challenge the future of construction and industry. International dynamics, such as the reconstruction of Ukraine, will also impact labor mobility and resources.
Yet, the horizon shows promise. Roads, power grids, and large-scale industrial projects create demand for precisely the kind of expertise JPH offers – a unique combination of groundworks and concrete construction.
- We need to stay alert to market changes. We believe that a bold and open-minded approach allows us to turn challenges into new opportunities, says Jarmo.
Courage has always defined JPH’s growth path. Over the years, the company has taken on diverse and demanding projects – the underground parking facility in Joensuu (2017–2018) being the largest and a true showcase of JPH’s capability to deliver major projects. Now that same courage is driving the company towards internationalization. A market study in Sweden, carried out through the Kasvun kiitorata (“Growth Runway”) program, led to JPH submitting its first industrial construction bid abroad.
- It’s a huge and exciting achievement to take part in a tender in Sweden. It proves our expertise meets international standards and strengthens our credibility also in Finland. At the same time, internationalization pushes us to develop our processes to align with global requirements, explains Jarmo.
People and bold thinking at the core of success
JPH’s success is built on three cornerstones: people, courage to try new things, and an open-minded attitude. The company strives to think differently from its competitors – not only market-driven but also with long-term, broader perspectives. This approach has opened doors to new clients and helped create operating models that withstand challenging market conditions.
A strategic decision five years ago to focus on industrial clients set new requirements for scheduling and safety, but it also clarified the company’s direction. Two years ago, Jarmo took part in an HHJ course, which opened his eyes to the labor shortage – and he made an exceptional move: hiring an in-house HR specialist. The decision proved right: in just over a year, JPH recruited more than ten new employees while many others in the construction industry were struggling to find talent.
- Our employees bring expertise, quality, and service to life every day on worksites. Positive customer feedback goes directly to our people, which is the best possible recognition of success, Noora emphasizes.
Responsibility in everyday actions
For JPH, responsibility is not a separate theme – it runs through everything from worksites to leadership. Safety is the top priority, environmentally burdensome solutions are avoided, and local partners are favored in procurement and subcontracting. For example, the company sources workwear from local businesses and uses subcontractors from North Karelia even in nationwide projects.
- We care not only about our employees but also their families. It’s important for us to provide year-round employment, ensuring financial stability for families. We aim to keep seasonal fluctuations as minimal as possible, Jarmo explains.
- Employee well-being and opportunities for development are an essential part of responsible operations, Noora adds.
Growth and networks through coaching
JPH-Maanrakennus has actively used Business Joensuu’s growth coaching and expert services – and most importantly, applied the lessons in practice.
- Looking back, two years is a short time, but for us it has meant significant development steps. We clarified our strategy, renewed our marketing, began systematically building our employer brand, and took concrete steps towards internationalization, Jarmo summarizes.
According to Noora, one of the best outcomes has been networking:
- We meet other entrepreneurs and participants, create contacts, and build collaborations. Once you’ve met in coaching, it’s much easier to pick up the phone when opportunities arise.
Jarmo is preparing to participate in the LEAD leadership coaching program in the fall: - It’s a chance to pause, reflect on my own leadership, and gain new skills for leading the work community.
- Challenge: Clarifying company direction and growth focus.
- Solution: Defining a clear strategy and growth goals for the next 3–5 years.
- Result: A structured growth plan guiding daily operations.
- Challenge: Strengthening digital presence and brand.
- Solution: Building skills and tools for digital marketing and visibility.
- Result: Increased brand recognition among both customers and job seekers, leading to new networks and successful recruitment.
Funding and Investment Support
- Challenge: Assessing prerequisites for internationalization and investment feasibility.
- Solution: Preparing a development project with expert support.
- Result: Internationalization project executed, and first bid submitted in Sweden.
Imagoo – Future Employer Coaching
- Challenge: Strengthening employer image and securing future talent.
- Solution: Clarifying the employer vision and taking practical steps to improve attractiveness and retention.
- Result: Stronger recruitment and employer branding expertise, with employer image development taken to a new level.
Vision 2030 – Most Desired Partner and Best Workplace
JPH-Maanrakennus has a clear vision for 2030: to be the most desired partner in industrial construction and the best employer in its region.
- When clients want to partner with us and people want to work with us, we’ve succeeded in the two most important areas: customer trust and employer brand. These are the core of our operations, Jarmo emphasizes.
The company spirit is best summed up by an employee’s spontaneous remark to Noora: “The best workplace in Eastern Finland.”
- We value having employees who are eager to take on international projects. It reflects our positive, trusting work culture – exactly the spirit with which we build the future, says Noora.
Text: Tanja Immonen, Business Joensuu
Photos: JPH-Maanrakennus Oy
More information and services:
Jarmo Hirvonen, CEO
+358 50 583 8506, jarmo.hirvonen@jph-maanrakennus.fi
JPH-Maanrakennus on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
