Tapio Rahkola
Title: Production Manager
Education: BEng in Automotive and Mechanical Engineering
At Betker since: 2025
Free time: Treasurer for his son’s football team, listening to music (around 120,000 minutes per year according to Spotify!), car projects, and snowmobiling

When people at Betker talk about smooth production, development, and making sure the right things happen at the right time, Tapio Rahkola’s contribution is evident in many ways. Tapio is responsible for the overall production, making sure everything runs as it should.

Tapio is a holistic production leader, developer, and team player whose work combines technical understanding, hands-on experience, and a calm leadership style.

“I like to look at things from a broader perspective. When you understand the whole picture, it’s much easier to make the right decisions in everyday work,” Tapio summarises.

A True Ylivieska Native Who Isn’t Afraid to Change Direction

Tapio was born and raised in Ylivieska. His studies in automotive and mechanical engineering at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences took him elsewhere for a while, but otherwise his life and career have been closely tied to his hometown.

“I’ve never really gone out to conquer the world for work,” Tapio laughs.

His career began in a car repair shop and progressed to supervisory and workshop manager roles. At some point, however, Tapio realised that work had taken the fun out of what was once a hobby.

“The hobby became work, and the hobby itself disappeared. That’s when I started to think about whether it was time to do something else.”

That change led him to the brick industry, where Tapio worked as a production engineer for nearly ten years.

“It was a completely new world, but incredibly educational. I was involved in everything from planning to development projects and sometimes jumped into production myself.”

Betker Came Along at Just the Right Time

After years of industrial experience, Tapio briefly returned to the automotive field, but the desire for more holistic responsibility remained. When he came across Betker’s job opening, he decided to apply.

“The recruitment process was thorough, but the feeling was good all the way through. And when I was selected, I have to say I was genuinely happy,” Tapio recalls.

Tapio started at Betker in February 2025. In his current role, he is responsible for production management, development projects, raw material management, and cost calculations and is a member of the management team.

Development, Foresight, and Everyday Functionality

Tapio’s work at Betker is a combination of production management, anticipation, and continuous improvement. He oversees production, development projects, raw material availability, and cost calculations, but recently, inventory management development has been a particular focus.

“Raw material availability is critical. You need to know what’s in stock, how consumption is developing, and when to react,” Tapio explains.

Now, Tapio is developing automation for inventory management to support daily operations and reduce manual monitoring. The goal is a system that provides timely alerts on when and how much raw material needs to be ordered.

“It’s not simple when the same product can have multiple suppliers, different lead times, and fluctuating consumption. But when the groundwork is done properly, it makes everyday work easier for everyone and improves delivery reliability.”

In addition to development work, Tapio carries out cost calculations for new and existing products in close cooperation with production supervisors.

“This role allows me to combine technical expertise, practical experience, and development work, and that’s what makes it interesting.”

For those interested in Betker, Tapio has clear advice:

“Put effort into your application. Really tell who you are and what you can do. A well-prepared application stands out, even if there isn’t an open position at that exact moment.”

A Community-Orientated Workplace Built on Trust

Tapio describes Betker as a community-driven and straightforward workplace where people are trusted.

“We have a self-directed team with strong expertise. Everyone takes care of their own area, which frees you up to focus on where you can create the most value.”

Small everyday moments matter to Tapio.

“Morning coffee with the production team. That’s how you stay connected to everyday reality and hear what’s really happening on the shop floor.”

Can You Spot the ‘Brick Guy’?

Tapio’s CV also includes a more unusual entry from his industrial career: he once appeared in advertising videos for a previous employer.

“We spent two days filming with an ad agency. Flannel shirt on camera rolling. There was no escape, but I guess it went well enough, since I can still watch the videos without second-hand embarrassment,” Tapio laughs.

Family, Projects, and a Lot of Music in His Free Time

In his free time, Tapio’s life revolves largely around his family: his partner, two children, and a dog keep everyday life busy. For years, he was heavily involved in his children’s hobbies as a helper, treasurer, and driver.

Now that the children are older, there’s more time for Tapio’s own projects: working on cars and listening to music.

“According to Spotify, I listen to about 120,000 minutes of music a year. Finnish metal is the main thing, but there’s also eurodance mixed in. A legacy of the 90s, and maybe a bit of a guilty pleasure.”

Tapio is a great example of how Betker builds smooth everyday operations and sustainable development through expertise, collaboration, and calm confidence, with a smile and the big picture firmly under control.