Ilkka Salo has received the ProLVI Medal of the Year for his long and impressive career in the building services and HVAC industry. For over 30 years, Salo has promoted research, quality, healthy indoor environments, energy efficiency, and national and international cooperation in the field.
Graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Helsinki University of Technology Ilkka Salo During his career, he has been involved in key development projects from FinZeb to EU low-energy projects and cleanroom technology innovations. Salo has been a prominent voice in the advocacy of indoor air and air hygiene, and has also received a recognition award from the Finnish Construction Industry in 2025.
Salo has held a wide range of positions of trust in the building services sector, including the chairmanship of the Foundation for the Quality of Building Products, long-term cooperation with Eurovent as a commission member and vice-chairman, board and management memberships of several industry publications and forums, and participation in the working groups of the Ministry of the Environment in the implementation of the Construction Act and EU regulations. He has also been instrumental in the creation of Talotekniikka-info and the establishment of the HVAC Days.
In 2004, Salo started as CEO of the Finnish Building Technology Industry Association and in 2018 he moved to Talteka, an association formed by the merger of the Finnish Building Technology Industry and the Finnish HVAC & Refrigeration and Technical Trade Association. With Talteka, building technology became a separate sector within the Finnish Building Technology Industry Association. Under Salo's leadership, Talteka has grown steadily and has acted as a strong voice for the industry. Salo has also played a key role in, among other things, establishing and establishing a professorship in building technology at the University of Tampere.
Chairman of the award jury, CEO of Dahl Suomi Oy, Olli Nikula describes Salo as a solution-oriented, analytical and people-oriented leader.
"Ilkka Salo has been a key builder in the development of the Finnish building services industry. His long-term contribution is visible in legislation, promoting energy efficiency, improving indoor air quality and strengthening cooperation structures in the industry," says Nikula.
The ProLVI award is awarded annually to a person who has contributed to the development of the HVAC industry – and this year the jury considered Salo's choice a given.
ProLVI Award
The ProLVI award is given to a person or association that has significantly contributed to the development of the HVAC industry and acted in an exemplary manner for the benefit of the industry. The winner is decided by a selection panel consisting of HVAC wholesalers. The award is presented at the annual Putkipörssi event. The ProLVI award has been presented since 1985.
Previous years' ProLVI awardees:
(no award was given in 2024)
2023 Marko Sundholm, CEO, Oras Oy
2022 Mikael Strandell, CEO, Grundfos Pumps Ltd.
(in 2021 and 2020 the prize was not awarded)
2019 Jorma Grönholm, Executive Vice President (retired), Fläkt Group
2018 Henri Juva, board member, Quattro Mikenti Group
2017 Gunilla Laiho, sales director, Rettig Lämpö Oy
2016 Heikki Laiho, chairman of the board, Heikki Laiho Oy
2015 Esko Mäntyniemi, Country Manager, IDO Bathroom Oy
2014 Jyri Luomakoski, CEO, Uponor Oyj
(no award was given in 2013)
2012 Helena Säteri, Director General, Ministry of the Environment
More information
Olli Nikula, CEO, Dahl Finland Ltd.
phone 040 844 7194, olli.nikula@dahl.fi
Ilkka Salo
CEO
ilkka.salo@rt.fi + 358 40 847 9907Finnish Building Services Industries and Trade (Talteka)