A strong team at the heart of Estonia
Paide, often called the heart of Estonia due to its central location, has become a hub for various industries that value its strategic location. It’s here that the heartbeat of local life pulses steadily, sustained by dedicated people working behind the scenes.
One such team operates inside the E-Piim boiler house. Their work often goes unnoticed, but their contribution is invaluable. As the team says, “If we don’t work, the boiler doesn’t work and if the boiler doesn’t work, production stops.”
This simple statement captures the essence of what the E-Piim boiler house team does every day. The boiler house isn’t just an auxiliary facility, it’s a vital link in the production chain, and its smooth operation is essential to the factory’s functionality.
Precision, trust, and support running like clockwork
The Paide team includes Rainer Pere, Taso Talvoja, Karmo Astula, and Märt Olde. Their responsibilities are informally divided by region — some cover Viljandi, others Vändra, while the rest focus primarily on Paide. These areas of responsibility have developed naturally over time. Their work ranges from scheduled maintenance and water or woodchip testing to sensor inspections, mechanical repairs, and preventive upkeep. Everything flows efficiently because the team knows each other well.
“If something bothers us, we talk it through. Everyone has a point of view, and that’s okay, as long as we get things done,” says Karmo Astula. What makes their collaboration truly stand out is the openness and deep mutual trust. Whether it’s a major breakdown or an unexpected issue, no one is left to face it alone. If one team member arrives later, someone is already on site and taking action. It’s the kind of seamless support you only find in a truly dependable team.
Individual strengths, shared goals
The team’s power lies in its diversity. Each member brings unique skills and experience to the table. Taso Talvoja is the electrical expert, whose ability to read schematics and troubleshoot connections has been a lifesaver many times. Karmo Astula, always early and full of energy, works quickly and thoroughly. Rainer Pere is the go-to expert, often the first one everyone calls. His deep experience is invaluable, especially in a boiler house. Märt Olde, known for his “golden hands”, can handle everything from welding to solving complex technical challenges.
“A good sense of humor lightens even the most stressful situations,” the team agrees.
In addition to their close collaboration in Paide, they sometimes join forces with colleagues from Põltsamaa in Southern Estonia. When a major maintenance or shutdown is ahead, they team up. Roles are clearly defined, and everyone knows who to call when something goes wrong.
“As the new Paide Energy Center was being built, we restructured the teams and gained a rare opportunity to recruit four new team members. Our goal was to find people who would significantly strengthen the region’s capacity for development and expertise. The fact that this story is being told now is a clear sign that we succeeded.
A strong team is not just about having highly capable, hardworking and smart individuals; open communication, discussing challenges, and mutual support are equally essential. All of this is present in Paide. Every person brings their own unique skills. We’ve come to understand that a team’s strength lies in combining and applying the diverse knowledge and skills of its members,” says Aare Jallajas, Adven’s Production Manager.
Work that matters
Producing energy for the food industry gives their work a deeper meaning. It’s not just about operating machinery. They understand the role they play in supporting E-Piim’s cheese production through the Adven partnership.
Most days, the Paide team finishes work in time to be home in the evening and enjoy peaceful weekends with their families. That is a sign of a well-designed and well-managed boiler facility. Still, they’re always on call, ready to act if needed. Knowing that if the boiler goes down, they’ll be the ones to bring it back to life, gives their work a strong sense of purpose.
Their collaboration with E-Piim is smooth. Maintenance days are scheduled with care, and the team’s goal is clear: keep production running without interruption. Downtime is not an option as it can mean major losses. Just as steam flows from the boiler house to the factory, responsibility flows through the team. Each person knows exactly when it’s their turn to step in.
Shared passion for technology
When the day’s work is done, the team chats about cars, swaps stories about technical issues at home or among friends, or relaxes together in the sauna. Karmo also volunteers as a firefighter, while Taso enjoys spending time in nature, especially in the forest. Shared interests and a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere keep the team close. And when the team spirit is strong, great work naturally follows.
The boiler house team doesn’t seek the spotlight. They work to ensure everything runs smoothly— the fire is burning, the steam is flowing, and production stays on track. They are the kind of people you can rely on, and that’s exactly why their story deserves to be told.