CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On…’ uncovers the many cogs of the air cargo industry without which the transportation of cargo from A to B, would not be as smooth and efficient. One common goal among air cargo stakeholders is net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 – as outlined in the Paris Agreement. Sustainability can be approached by many angles – one of them is packaging: smarter packaging and pallets can mean less packaging weight, for example, which translates into fewer CO² emissions. Nina Lökfors, Executive Vice President of Finland-based Eltete Transport Packaging Materials, has a strong sustainability focus and takes us through her responsibilities, experiences, and thoughts.
CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?
NL: Currently, I am the Executive Vice President of Eltete Transport Packaging Materials and the CEO of Eltete Group. My responsibilities include the consolidation and analysis of the entire Eltete Group, as well as overseeing the daily operations of our factories and headquarters in Finland.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?
NL: In my world, constant change is the new normal, so no two days are alike. Our customers are our top priority, and one of my key responsibilities is ensuring smooth processes to provide excellent service, high-quality products, and on-time deliveries. My daily work also involves strategic planning and decision-making in areas such as investments, marketing and sales, environmental matters, and regulatory compliance.
I strive to embody our company motto, “Reduce, Replace, Recycle,” also in my leadership approach. My goal is to reduce time and money spent, making everything more cost- and energy-efficient. I aim to replace ineffective methods with lean thinking, automation, and AI, and to recycle effective practices by clearly communicating them across the organization.
CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?
NL: After many years in finance, I transitioned to the packaging industry eight years ago after recognizing the company’s potential and its environmentally friendly products. For over 50 years, the company has been producing packaging from recycled materials. Some of these products were introduced to the air cargo industry as early as 2016–2017. However, it was only last year that we decided to actively focus on the air cargo sector, seeing an opportunity to contribute to lower emission goals.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
NL: I enjoy both the products and the challenges that come with them. I have the privilege of working with solutions that genuinely contribute to making the world greener. My mission is to show how easy it is for companies to transition to more sustainable packaging solutions. Leading and securing a market position for an independent, family-owned international business among giant packaging companies is challenging but incredibly rewarding.
CFG: Where do you see the greatest challenges in our industry?
NL: I believe the greatest challenge, common to all industries, is the constant change and the fear of it. Continuously adapting to new situations is essential. Another significant challenge is the accuracy, objectivity, and interpretation of information. For example, in Life Cycle Assessments and CO2 emissions, numerous factors influence the results. Depending on how you interpret these results, you can easily find data that supports your perspective. While today’s access to Artificial Intelligence can assist us greatly, it is still crucial to thoroughly analyze possible outcomes to determine their trustworthiness and real value to the industry.
CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to enter into the air cargo industry? Any particular training they should aim for?
NL: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important, yet there remains a general lack of knowledge about it. I highly recommend studying sustainability aspects, as this will add significant value and help build more industry-specific expertise.
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
NL: With so much discussion about “Greenwashing” nowadays, I truly hope that the industry recognizes the possibilities of getting “greener”. That’s why I would name the movie “Greenloading”.
Thank you for your insights, Nina!
If you would like to share your personal air cargo story with our CargoForwarder Global readers, feel free to send your answers to the above questions to cargoforwarderglobal@kopfpilot.at We look forward to shining a spotlight on your job area, views, and experiences.
