On Thursday, April 30th, our long-time colleague, Property Manager Reima Rantanen, retired. Reima worked at Turku Free Zone Company for over 39 years. Reima was awarded the Chamber of Commerce merit badges for his distinguished career.
Reima’s expertise, kindness, warm humor, and deep understanding of the industry have made him a highly respected and well-liked person among both colleagues and customers. Reima will leave a lasting mark on our company’s daily life and culture. His customer-oriented approach is a source of inspiration for us all.
As Reima is known for never running out of stories, we wanted to ask him a few questions before his retirement began:
When and how did you start working at the Turku Free Zone Company?
“I started on April 27, 1987. I had been a customer of the Turku Free Zone Company for a few years before that. I mentioned that I had resigned from Hankkija and had no future plans. Mikko Silvennoinen, who was about to retire, was working here then, and they asked me if I knew someone who could take his place. I did.”
Do you still remember your first day or your early years?
“I don’t remember anything about the first day. From the first years, I remember that every day one or two loads of canned goods (beef for Arab countries) arrived at the Turku Free Zone Company. The hall was full of them. Time certainly didn’t drag.”
What has made you enjoy your time at the Turku Free Zone Company for so long?
“At least the independent work and a suitable amount of challenges. The conditions have been favorable in other ways too.”
What roles have you worked in during your career?
“Warehouse worker / forklift driver, warehouse supervisor, foreman, and most recently property manager. ‘Jack of all trades’ describes my work well.”
Is there a specific task, project, or change that stands out in your mind?
“The change. Especially when we joined the EU and didn’t know how to continue. No one knew.”
What was work at the warehouse like before compared to today?
“More manual labor in unloading and loading, and all entries were on forms. Forwarders would come by to mark what goods were leaving and what had been cleared through customs.”
Do you have a funny or warm memory you’d like to share?
“I remember when the steamship Bore went bankrupt, and the liquor was disposed of here into the sewer under customs supervision. We made a funnel out of a tarp to pour the alcohol down the drain. Once it was all gone, customs signed the disposal certificate. As they were leaving, someone joked that ‘now we can take the bucket out from under the sewer lid.’ The customs officers turned back and checked under the lid to make sure there wasn’t a bucket there. They didn’t appreciate the joke.”
What things are you particularly proud of or happy to have been involved in?
“I have been a witness in two court cases that the Free Zone won.”
How have you seen the company change over the years?
“Operations have expanded significantly; the share of the car sector is now very small.”
What has stayed the same – in a good way?
“The company name and address. The CEO’s surname.”
What emotions does retiring evoke?
“Well, I’d have to believe it’s true. I always thought the retirement age would keep receding, but now it’s actually happening.”
What will you miss the most?
“Over 39 years, this has become a second home in a way. I’m used to coming to work in the morning and going home in the afternoon. I’ll miss the customers and colleagues, and it’s been nice solving the right kinds of problems.”
What are you going to do in retirement? Do you have plans or dreams?
“There might be too many tasks already.”
What advice would you give to new employees or your younger self?
“You must remember to think about things from the customer’s perspective; that often tends to be forgotten.”
The entire staff at the Turku Free Zone Company wishes Reima wonderful and relaxing retirement days!
