NTG Nordic Transport Group A/S comprises over 80 transport and freight companies worldwide. In Finland, NTG Road Oy and NTG Air & Ocean Oy offer customers a wide range of road transport and logistics services, as well as air and sea freight solutions. 
COO Ilkka Mäkinen oversees the operational activities of NTG Road. His work centers on ensuring cost efficiency in international logistics, enhancing customer experience, and developing operational processes.
“The best part of my job is undoubtedly that every day brings new opportunities. In such a dynamic field, there’s never a dull moment,” Mäkinen says with a smile.
“We transport goods from Finland to anywhere in the world and from anywhere to Finland. The field of international logistics is constantly evolving, with competitive landscapes shifting. There’s always room for improvement – developing more efficient solutions and exceeding customer expectations,” he emphasizes.
Mäkinen has expanded and deepened his expertise in logistics through Aalto EE’s Diploma in Global Logistics program.
“I wanted to gain the latest insights into logistics trends and strengthen my analytical skills. I wasn’t looking for a superficial crash course but a comprehensive and in-depth program that I could manage alongside a demanding job. Aalto EE’s program seemed like the perfect fit,” he explains.
Tangible benefits for day-to-day work
Mäkinen describes the wide-ranging program as an excellent experience, with lessons in analytics standing out as particularly useful.
“I was able to apply many ideas and practical tools from the analytics exercises directly to my daily work,” Mäkinen shares.
I was able to apply many ideas and practical tools from the analytics exercises directly to my daily work."
“My project work also heavily relied on the analytics practices from the program. Using an analytics tool introduced at Aalto EE, I developed our own linear optimization tool, which we’ve already successfully used to optimize our logistics network across Europe,” he remarks.
In addition to analytics, Mäkinen was keen to deepen his understanding of sustainability opportunities.
“At NTG Road, we aim to meet our customers’ international logistics needs by offering environmentally friendly solutions that promote sustainability. The program provided crucial insights into the most pressing sustainability themes in the logistics industry,” he says.
“For example, the Sustainable Supply Chains module was an excellent choice. I’m very pleased I opted for it as an elective. It gave me an across-the-board outlook on sustainable supply chain management and actionable insights for my work. For instance, I immediately implemented lessons on supplier and contract management,” he adds.
Mäkinen also appreciated the program’s focus on current industry developments.
“Logistics has advanced significantly in recent years, and it was extremely beneficial to gain up-to-date knowledge and perspectives on the future of the field. One highlight was the Future of Freight seminar, which provided an excellent overview of the latest trends,” Mäkinen explains.
A hands-on training program
Aalto EE’s Diploma in Global Logistics program is delivered in close collaboration with Aalto University. It includes two elective modules from Aalto University’s course offerings, which participants attend alongside other logistics professionals and Aalto University degree students.
“I found the program had a great balance of theory and practice. The instructors had a solid grasp of real-world challenges in the logistics field. Every module got straight to the point, making it easy to draw connections to my work,” Mäkinen underlines.
“For those unfamiliar with writing academic texts, the project might have involved a bit of a learning curve. However, the teaching and exercises were very practical, so there’s no need to fear academic fatigue in this program,” he reassures.
Mäkinen also appreciated the interactive approach and teamwork with other participants.
The instructors had a solid grasp of real-world challenges in the logistics field. Every module got straight to the point."
“There was plenty of group work, and the teaching methods encouraged collaboration. It was interesting and valuable to hear perspectives from people working in slightly different types of companies but within the same industry,” he notes.
Mäkinen affirms that he is pleased to endorse the Diploma in Global Logistics program.
“I definitely recommend it. If you want to enhance your expertise in international logistics and understand the trends and opportunities in the field, this program is a great choice. And if you want to develop your analytical skills, it’s especially valuable. The training provides excellent tools for optimizing daily operations,” he says.
“Another advantage is the opportunity to network with other professionals in the industry. If you decide to join, I recommend that you start building your network from day one and actively share experiences with others. The conversations, both during the sessions and breaks, are incredibly enriching. Moreover, the program includes some fairly challenging assignments, which become much easier and more rewarding if you tackle them with peers you’ve connected with,” he advises.