Smart Care Environments and International Growth – Esko Mertsalmi Strengthens Lojer’s Board

Lojer’s Board of Directors is gaining significant expertise as Esko Mertsalmi joins to help drive the company’s next phase of growth. Mertsalmi’s background combines entrepreneurship, digitalization, and industrial thinking – elements that are also central to Lojer’s future.

Esko Mertsalmi, founder of the software company Unikie, describes himself above all as a market-driven thinker and doer. His career has been built at the core of software development, yet an interest in physical products and industrial operations has always accompanied it.

“I am an innovative creator and implementer of digital solutions in physical environments,” Mertsalmi summarizes.

Mertsalmi brings decades of experience in developing digital products, along with a strong understanding of how software, data, and physical products combine to form successful businesses. At the same time, his industrial heritage – rooted in a family background in industry – manifests as a strong interest in production and tangible solutions.

Mertsalmi is particularly motivated by Lojer’s clear and ambitious drive for growth. He sees in the company a rare combination: a strong ownership vision, a solid foundation, and genuine opportunities for international expansion.

“Ambition for growth is what ultimately makes the difference. At Lojer, that ambition is clearly present,” Mertsalmi says.

The company’s growth targets for the next decade are ambitious. According to Mertsalmi, achieving them will require, above all, long-term commitment, bold decisions, and an increased ability to leverage digitalization.

“Stronger utilization of digital solutions, data, and artificial intelligence, combined with market-driven and agile execution, are the keys to successful growth.”

Lojer’s product portfolio is evolving toward comprehensive care environments, a direction that strongly resonates with Mertsalmi’s thinking. He believes that in the future, data-driven, intelligent care environments will be a key competitive factor.

“Lojer already has products and track record showing that this is the direction we are heading.”

For example, the OpenOR integration and AV system for operating rooms and the next-generation treatment table Manuthera242 demonstrate the company’s ability to develop solutions with global potential that meet future needs.

Mertsalmi also emphasizes the importance of corporate culture. Future growth will not come from strategy alone, but from the ability to continuously learn and renew.

“Digitalization does not increase through clever talk. It comes from learning, experimenting, and doing. It’s about building a learning culture.”

He believes Lojer is well positioned to succeed in this regard, with an enthusiastic organization, strong ownership commitment, and a desire to evolve.

Lojer’s owner-entrepreneur Ville Laine highlights that the appointment of Esko Mertsalmi is part of the company’s long-term development.

“Mertsalmi was selected to Lojer’s Board due to his strong background in entrepreneurship and growth companies, his experience in international business, and his expertise in board work. We aim to strengthen our capabilities particularly in strategic growth, commercialization of digital solutions, and long-term value creation,” Laine states.

According to him, the appointment supports Lojer’s future direction, which emphasizes international growth, business renewal, and building long-term competitiveness.

“Mertsalmi has an impressive track record in building and scaling technology-driven businesses. He has also led strategic transformation and scaled companies internationally,” Laine says.

Esko Mertsalmi approaches his new role with enthusiasm, but also realism. In his view, board work is primarily about sparring and providing direction – the actual execution takes place within the organization.

“It’s truly exciting to be part of this journey. At this stage, my most important task is to understand the big picture and contribute to building the next phase.”

He sees Lojer’s future as clear: a strong foundation, a drive for growth, and the opportunity to become an even more significant international player.

“People want to do work that has meaning. In developing care environments, you can see that impact concretely – and that’s exactly why these physical environments inspire me,” Mertsalmi concludes.