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A well-planned step back: CEO Tapio Sulkava passes the torch
08.10.2026
As announced last week, Tapio Sulkava, co-founder and CEO of Kyocera Technologies, has passed the torch to Panu Koppinen. This leadership transition is the result of a carefully orchestrated two-year plan. Let’s take a moment to look back at Tapio’s time as CEO and the big picture of what he has built alongside the team over the years.
A legacy of strategy and strong global relations
The story of Kyocera Technologies began a decade ago with a bold vision. In 2016, Tapio co-founded Tikitin startup with a small team and an ambitious goal: to replace traditional quartz with silicon-based MEMS technology. Reflecting on those early startup days, Tapio recalls the strategic pivots and the relentless drive to move forward. Following its acquisition in 2019, Tapio successfully navigated the company’s transition from an eight-person startup into a vital, globally recognized R&D unit within the Kyocera Corporation – laying the groundwork for the tightly knit international team it is today.
Looking back at his tenure, Tapio brought a unique perspective to the company’s leadership. Unlike many of his colleagues who are physicists, Tapio utilized his commercial education to focus heavily on management, strategy, administration, and finance.
Following the company’s acquisition, he played a crucial role as the main contact for the Kyocera Group, building strong international relationships and navigating corporate structures. Tapio also spearheaded significant strategic milestones, including the successful rebranding of the company to Kyocera Technologies Oy.
“While we often express our mindset in Finland through the concept of ‘sisu’, it resonates deeply with Kyocera’s core philosophy. This aligned cultural foundation gives us a remarkably strong baseline for whatever the future brings.”
– Tapio Sulkava
A seamless shift in leadership
With Panu Koppinen stepping into the CEO role, the company will see a shift towards more technically oriented leadership. Previously, Tapio focused on the administrative and strategic side, while Panu acted as a bridge between him and the technical teams.
For Tapio, the leadership transition feels both natural and perfectly timed, marking the culmination of a clear strategy shaped over the past two years.
“I envisioned this timeline exactly as it is playing out. The handover is proceeding smoothly”, Tapio reflects.
With the company in capable hands, this seamless and well planned transition allows Tapio to confidently take a well-deserved first step toward retirement. However, retirement isn’t on the horizon just yet, as he will continue to serve as a Senior Advisor at Kyocera Technologies for the next six months. He will also now have time to work on other projects and pass on his knowledge.
“Our people are what matter most”
When looking to the future of Kyocera Technologies, Tapio sees a company anchored by a truly unified global team and a strong shared culture. Reflecting on the journey from a small eight-person startup to a large, tightly knit international organization, Tapio points out that the company is currently at a thrilling juncture of product development:
“It is the perfect time for new leadership to take the helm, guiding the team into fresh, innovative projects that lie ahead.”
Tapio emphasizes that the team and employees are what matter most. He notes that the exceptional atmosphere within the company does not stem from just one person, but is the achievement of the entire group.
“We help each other out, we are interested in challenges, and we stretch ourselves when needed,” Tapio remarks, expressing gratitude for his colleagues. Having navigated numerous changes together as a unified, international team, he believes this shared journey and strong team spirit provide the best possible foundation for the future of Kyocera Technologies.