Welcome to the Messua team: Project Manager Kai Porotähti

Kai Porotähti joins Messua as Project Manager, strengthening the team with decades of experience in exhibition stand construction and international project delivery. For Porotähti, the role marks a return to familiar ground, as he has previously worked at Messua.

According to Porotähti, the return has gone smoothly – thanks to his extensive experience in exhibition construction and stand implementation. He joined Messua from Maiseri Oy, where he worked as a Project Manager for seven years. Maiseri is one of Messua’s long-standing network partners and delivers stand construction services for Messua projects.

“It really feels like coming home. The everyday systems and ways of working are familiar, so there was no real leap into the unknown. Project management comes naturally with experience, and best of all, the colleagues are just as great as before,” he says with a smile.

A versatile career built a strong foundation in exhibition construction

Porotähti’s career path has not been linear – and that is precisely what has shaped his broad expertise.

“When I was younger, I worked at Novart Oy in kitchen furniture manufacturing, following in my father’s footsteps. After military service, I was figuring out what to do next. I applied to study construction architecture but missed the admission by one point. So a friend and I travelled to the United States for a month. In Florida, I came across an opportunity for pilot training, and after some language preparation I was accepted. The studies went well, but entering the profession proved difficult due to a lack of traineeship opportunities. After that, I worked briefly in the automotive field, with the goal of importing a removal truck to Finland – which I eventually did.”

After returning to Finland, Porotähti also returned to Novart Oy, where his responsibilities expanded to include the construction of retail and showroom environments. These experiences formed an important foundation for his future career.

“When Novart started export operations, my language skills allowed me to join international projects. We built exhibitions and kitchen stands in Sweden, Germany and even Abu Dhabi. I also had the opportunity to train others on site in practical construction work.”

His growing interest in exhibition construction led him, in 1997, to apply for a position at the company then known as Messu Arvelin. Over nearly 20 years, he progressed from installer at the Tampere unit to site supervisor, production manager, procurement manager and finally unit manager.

Variety makes project management rewarding

At Messua, a Project Manager is responsible for a broad overall scope: customer collaboration, technical orders, schedules and the quality of the final result. The role is highly varied, and no two days are the same.

“Situations change constantly, and during exhibition season the pace is especially intense. The best part is succeeding together with the client and delivering a finished, high-quality stand.”

Porotähti works closely with sales, clients and exhibition organisers, ensuring arrangements for rigging, electricity, water, compressed air and screens – or whatever else the client may need for their stand.

“This job is a bit like a game. You prepare and train, and the exhibition itself is the actual performance. Each project is one match – and the goal is always to bring it home.”

Returning to Messua happened almost by chance

The opportunity to return to Messua arose unexpectedly.

“I was talking with CEO Eriikka Kalliokoski about a stand project delivered by Maiseri. In passing, she mentioned that Messua had an open Project Manager position. I thought about it for a moment and said that I’d apply as well.”

Although Porotähti enjoyed his previous role, frequent four-day weekly trips to Kurikka had begun to feel demanding.

“I was happy to be selected, and the work has felt genuinely good. I work in this industry out of passion. It’s also great that I can now do a large part of my work from Tampere, working from home. My wife is happy too,” he laughs.

Quality is what Messua is known for – and that standard remains

As a Project Manager, Porotähti particularly values Messua’s extensive and long-term partner network.

“Messua has an excellent network of subcontractors. I was personally involved in building many of these partnerships years ago, and some of them are still working with us today. That’s something special.”

One goal stands out above all others in his role.

“A satisfied client is at the centre of everything. Messua is known for reliability and quality – and that’s something I’m fully committed to upholding.”

Text: Tia Härkönen