He has held the role on an acting basis since 25 November 2025 and continues to report to President and CEO Mika Saariaho.
The timing matters. The confirmation lands five days after Raute lowered its 2026 net sales guidance to EUR 125–160 million (from EUR 135–170 million), citing geopolitical and economic uncertainty that has pushed customer investment decisions to the right.
EBITDA guidance was held at EUR 10–19 million. Confirming the CCO a few days before the Q1 2026 Business Review reads as a clear vote for continuity at the top of the commercial organisation.
Kaikkola's appointment is also part of a wider executive reshuffle. Three of the seven seats on Raute's Group Executive Board have changed hands in the past six months, with Timo Kupsanen joining as EVP Analyzers on 1 May and Markus Sirviö stepping down on the same day.
His CV — Temet, Sako, Airbus Defence & Space, Nokia — is heavier on defence and industrial export sales than on the wood-products industry Raute serves, but it fits the shape of Raute's cyclical, project-driven revenue model.
The first test arrives Thursday, when Raute publishes Q1 numbers and gives the market its first read on order intake since the guidance cut.
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