Early Life
Heikki Kyöstilä was born in Orimattila, Finland, on January 19, 1946. He graduated from business college in 1965. Starting his career in the mid-1960s as a sales representative for a Finnish dental supply company, he quickly saw opportunities for improvement in dental equipment, particularly in the design and ergonomics of patient chairs.
Rise to Success
Kyöstilä founded Planmeca in Helsinki in 1971. The initial focus was on manufacturing dental stools and instrument cabinets. Understanding the importance of international markets, Kyöstilä expanded the company's reach globally. Planmeca's growth included entering the U.S. market in the 1980s and expanding into 2D and 3D imaging, software, and CAD/CAM solutions. Kyöstilä's leadership has been pivotal in Planmeca's rise to become one of the world's largest privately owned dental equipment manufacturers, with a presence in over 120 countries. Key milestones include the launch of the Planmeca Romexis platform, and the development of fully integrated digital workflows.
Key Business Strategies
Key strategies include an early focus on in-house research and development, enabling the company to introduce innovative microprocessor-controlled dental units in the 1980s and panoramic and 3D imaging systems in the 1990s and 2000s. Planmeca's commitment to quality, innovation, and Finnish design has been central to its success. Kyöstilä has emphasized the importance of listening to customers and valuing the expertise of his staff.
Philanthropy
Planmeca has participated in educational initiatives, and supports the professional development of dentists at national and international levels. Heikki Kyöstilä was also awarded an honorary doctorate of medicine at the University of Oulu for his contributions to dentistry.