The largest team of data center experts in the Nordic countries

Granlund has the largest team of data center experts in the Nordic countries

Granlund's data center projects already employ 200 experts, and the growth rate is only increasing. What is the largest data center organisation in the Nordic countries up to? And why is the future of data center experts so bright? Industry professionals Jari Innanen, Tuuli Lindroos and Joni Solakuja can shed light on the subject.

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Did you know that Granlund is the biggest expert company in the Nordic countries today specialising in data center design and consulting? Currently, we employ a total of 200 experts working on data center projects. As a whole, the Group employs experts both in Finland and Sweden.

A nearly 28-year career at Granlund and his current role as Business Director, Data Centers, has positioned Jari Innanen perfectly to observe the accelerated growth and development.

“It has been wonderful to be involved in developing the data center business from scratch and be in charge of the business, which is now one of Granlund’s key business areas,” says Jari.

One of the experts working on data center projects is Tuuli Lindroos who went from entrepreneur to project manager at Granlund three years ago. For Tuuli, it was a leap into the unknown. “Even though I have been in the industry for quite some time, this is my first official job as an engineer,” says Tuuli.

“I must admit that data center projects sounded exciting to begin with, but it took Jari all of 30 minutes to sell the job to me on the phone. We ‘shook on it’ straight away,” says Tuuli.

We create facilities for bits, data and artificial intelligence. Our business is not processing masses of data, but buildings.
Tuuli Lindroos, Project Manager, Granlund

For Joni Solakuja, on the other hand, this is already the second stint at Granlund. Originally, he started out as an automation designer in 2012, which is when he first came into contact with data centers ‘by chance’.

“I was asked to join a project to convert an old paper warehouse into a modern data center. I happened to be on leave at the time and I went for it. I have made zero attempt to leave this job ever since,” says Joni.

In 2019, he switched jobs to the customer side. However, he returned to Granlund in 2023 in his current role as Design Lead. “I discovered that being a designer agrees better with me than being a customer.”

Jari, Tuuli and Joni all agree that data center projects are not rocket science

Jari has noticed that data center projects still carry a mystical and even intimidating aura. “Data center organisations do design and consulting just like our other teams,” says Jari.

“The cooling process is still just a cooling process and ventilation is ventilation. It’s the same technology, just on a larger scale,” adds Joni.

According to Tuuli and Joni, the most common questions pertain to today’s hot potato: AI. In addition, the large quantities of data and bits are a consideration. “We create facilities for bits, data and artificial intelligence. Our business is not processing masses of data, but buildings,” says Tuuli.

Granlund’s data center department already represents about six different nationalities.
Jari Innanen, Business Director, Granlund

Data center services at Granlund

A total of 200 experts working on data center projects
Our data center department boasts the strongest expertise in the data center industry within Granlund Group
As necessary, projects can involve resources from other Granlund Group business units

With the volume of data doubling, Granlund maintains its position and hires more experts

The quantity of data is estimated to double every two years worldwide. With artificial intelligence quickly becoming more commonplace online, the need for data center capacity and resources is also increasing.

“As the volume of data increases, we have managed to maintain our position and even exceed our tough growth targets. This year, too, we will grow more than ever before,” says Jari.

The entire business volume will grow by 60%. One reason for the growth is Granlund’s increased role in data center projects.

“In projects, we are increasingly responsible for construction management and project management in addition to design. Our service scale has also been expanded to span the entire project – we can help our customers with everything from finding a spot for a data center to design, construction management and commissioning,” says Jari.

What makes Finland and Sweden the best locations for data centers?

“Possibly the best design team in all of Europe”

Joni and Tuuli are supported by a large group of professionals within the company and in Granlund’s subcontractor network. “The expertise we don’t have in-house, we find in our subcontracting network,” says Tuuli.

Usually, the primary language in data center projects is English as the majority of our customers are international data center operators. “Granlund’s data center department already represents about six different nationalities,” says Jari.

“Working in an international environment is super interesting and motivating, but at the same time challenging,” says Tuuli.

“I dare say we probably have one of the best design teams in all of Europe,” says Joni.

Even though the data center department includes a number of seasoned professionals, Jari points out that you do not need to be a pro straight away. “We hire young professionals with the idea that in 5–10 years’ time they will be experienced. Here, we learn from each other.”

Career opportunities emerge all the time if you just want to seize them

According to Jari, the data center department provides exceptionally good career steps for the future. “Surely one of the best possible expert organisations for developing in your career. Technically, there’s a lot to learn,” he says. “If you want to develop and learn new things, the data center business can grab you and not let go – that’s what happened to me,” says Tuuli.

Joni agrees with Tuuli and Jari. “Even though the work is challenging, it’s also very rewarding,” he says.

“As we speak, I am working on a project where I have been involved in design from the first pen strokes and conceptualisation to implementation. I’m already looking forward to seeing the finished data center because that is always the moment when the work of our entire design team materialises in this world,” says Joni.

Growth increases the need for experts. Now, at the end of the year, Granlund’s data center department is looking for construction management experts as well as design leads. “You don’t have to worry about running out of work because there is plenty of work to do with data centers,” says Tuuli.

Surely one of the best possible expert organisations for developing in your career. Technically, there’s a lot to learn.
Jari Innanen, Business Director, Granlund

Exceptional management makes employees enjoy themselves

Long employment relationships are no exception at Granlund. But what makes you enjoy yourself at Granlund? Or, in Joni’s case, return to the company? For Joni and Tuuli, the answer is obvious: “The things in the background are in order.”

“My ventures into other companies of various sizes managed in a different way made me really appreciate Granlund as an employer more than ever before,” says Joni.

“Granlund is a nice work community, both in terms of size and atmosphere. The company is large enough but, in my opinion, without a suffocating hierarchy,” says Tuuli.

As a team leader, Tuuli also wants to set a good example for her team members. “We are a service organisation – both externally for our customers and internally for each other. The way we communicate is always friendly – we even use heart emojis! I also make sure I am approachable,” she says.

“My first official job as an engineer”

Name: Tuuli Lindroos

Role: Project Manager

“In short, my job is to make sure that my data center projects are successfully completed. The projects are technically demanding but, in my job, it suffices for me to see the bigger picture and be able to lead and supervise my team of top designers. My job is diverse and I learn new things all the time.”

Career at Granlund: Three years as a project manager at Granlund. Prior to her Granlund career, Tuuli worked several years as an entrepreneur and performing sales management tasks at YIT, for example.

Why do I like data center projects? “Finland is a small country – I am motivated by being involved in large, international data center projects. You can be genuinely proud of this work. Taking environmental issues into account also makes the work more meaningful – I don’t have a single site where we do not discuss green shield-moss, frogs or flying squirrels.”

A fact about me most people don’t know: “I don’t have a normal home.” Tuuli and her husband are currently living the “van life” they have long dreamt of. Tuuli may work from wintry Lapland or, for example, Loviisa where she and her husband are renovating their mutual investment flat.

“Second stint at Granlund”

Name: Joni Solakuja

Role: Design Lead

“My job is to lead a multidisciplinary design team. What this means in practice is communication between the customer and the design team, setting project goals, steering the design work and taking financial responsibility.”

Why do I like data center projects? “In some twisted way, I have always enjoyed a challenge. Data center projects are very varied and so are the challenges. The international nature of the projects provides different perspectives and makes my daily work that much more piquant. I like that development and innovation are valued here.”

Career at Granlund: Joni’s career at Granlund has followed a path of two stages: his first stint started in 2012 as an automation designer, when Joni got his first taste of data center projects. In between, he spent a few years at the customer side, returning to Granlund in 2023 in his current role as Design Lead. All in all, he has spent more than nine years of his career at Granlund.

A fact about me most people don’t know: “I’m a mass consumer of the horror genre.” Whether a book, movie or game – it’s probably horror. For Joni, horror has been “number one” since childhood.

More information

Jari Innanen

Business Director, Data centers

Granlund Oy

Timo Ranne

International Business Development Director