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 and Tuuli Lindroos can shed light on the subject.
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
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,” he says.
The cooling process is still just a cooling process and ventilation is ventilation. It’s the same technology, just on a larger scale.
According to Tuuli, 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
Working in an international environment
Tuuli is 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,” she says .
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.
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. Even though the work is challenging, it’s also very rewarding,” says Tuuli.
Granlund’s experts are often involved in the design process from the very first pen strokes and conceptualisation through to implementation. The most rewarding moment comes when the data center stands finished, marking the point where the entire design team’s work materialises in the real world.
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? For Tuuli, the answer is obvious: “The things in the background are in order.”
“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.
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 Innanen.
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.
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.
More information
Jari Innanen
Timo Ranne
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