Back with a task
Martela brings Panu Ala-Nikkola in as CEO
Martela is bringing back a familiar face. Panu Ala-Nikkola has been appointed CEO of the Finnish specialist for workplace solutions and learning environments. Former CEO Ville Taipale leaves the company with immediate effect. Officially, the move was mutually agreed. In practical terms, it still looks like a clear reset.
Ala-Nikkola does not need an introduction to Martela. He previously spent more than ten years with the company, holding several senior roles including Managing Director Finland, Sales Director and Deputy CEO. He later gained further leadership experience at Huhtamäki and Aina Group. Chairman Tapio Pajuharju points to Ala-Nikkola’s knowledge of Martela, the industry and its customers.
The timing matters. Martela increased revenue by 8.1 percent to EUR 93.7 million in 2025. The operating loss narrowed from EUR 6.5 million to EUR 1.1 million. That was progress. But it was not yet a turnaround. The full-year result remained negative.
And 2026 started poorly. In the first quarter, revenue fell by 31.9 percent to EUR 17.5 million. The operating result was EUR -1.9 million. Martela cited weaker demand, greater customer caution, uncertainty and a sharp decline in large office projects. The Nordic office market is not making life easy for the company.
At the same time, Martela is sharpening its focus. Martela’s Finnish removal services business is being transferred to Niemi Palvelut. The service will remain part of Martela’s Lifecycle offering, but will be provided through Niemi. Martela wants to concentrate more clearly on workplace solutions, furniture solutions and lifecycle services. As a result, the revenue guidance for 2026 was lowered from EUR 75–85 million to EUR 70–80 million. The earnings guidance remained unchanged at EUR +1 million to EUR -2 million.
That is the real story behind the personnel change. Martela is not just another New Work supplier with a few acoustic pods in the portfolio. Founded in 1945, the company is one of the established names in the Nordic workplace market. Today, Martela positions itself as a provider of work and learning environments, combining furniture and related services through its Lifecycle solutions.
Ala-Nikkola is therefore not returning to a nostalgic post. He is returning to a task. Martela now has to show that its Lifecycle strategy is not only convincing on paper, but can also deliver in a difficult market. The returning CEO knows the company. Now he has to prove that this is an advantage.
More background is available on the Martela brand page on furnomics.
Martela is bringing back a familiar face. Panu Ala-Nikkola has been appointed CEO of the Finnish specialist for workplace solutions and learning environments. Former CEO Ville Taipale leaves the company with immediate effect. Officially, the move was mutually agreed. In practical terms, it still looks like a clear reset.
Ala-Nikkola does not need an introduction to Martela. He previously spent more than ten years with the company, holding several senior roles including Managing Director Finland, Sales Director and Deputy CEO. He later gained further leadership experience at Huhtamäki and Aina Group. Chairman Tapio Pajuharju points to Ala-Nikkola’s knowledge of Martela, the industry and its customers.
The timing matters. Martela increased revenue by 8.1 percent to EUR 93.7 million in 2025. The operating loss narrowed from EUR 6.5 million to EUR 1.1 million. That was progress. But it was not yet a turnaround. The full-year result remained negative.
And 2026 started poorly. In the first quarter, revenue fell by 31.9 percent to EUR 17.5 million. The operating result was EUR -1.9 million. Martela cited weaker demand, greater customer caution, uncertainty and a sharp decline in large office projects. The Nordic office market is not making life easy for the company.
At the same time, Martela is sharpening its focus. Martela’s Finnish removal services business is being transferred to Niemi Palvelut. The service will remain part of Martela’s Lifecycle offering, but will be provided through Niemi. Martela wants to concentrate more clearly on workplace solutions, furniture solutions and lifecycle services. As a result, the revenue guidance for 2026 was lowered from EUR 75–85 million to EUR 70–80 million. The earnings guidance remained unchanged at EUR +1 million to EUR -2 million.
That is the real story behind the personnel change. Martela is not just another New Work supplier with a few acoustic pods in the portfolio. Founded in 1945, the company is one of the established names in the Nordic workplace market. Today, Martela positions itself as a provider of work and learning environments, combining furniture and related services through its Lifecycle solutions.
Ala-Nikkola is therefore not returning to a nostalgic post. He is returning to a task. Martela now has to show that its Lifecycle strategy is not only convincing on paper, but can also deliver in a difficult market. The returning CEO knows the company. Now he has to prove that this is an advantage.
More background is available on the Martela brand page on furnomics.