Combined Capability and Strategic Direction

Together, Ari and Irina Toivola lead Marinator as a focused and well-balanced team, combining deep industry experience and strong networks with analytical, financial, and system development skills. Their approach connects practical execution with structured development, allowing them to move from idea to implementation in a controlled and reliable way.

Marinator’s business is built with a clear direction to develop practical, scalable technical solutions, expand beyond Finland into international markets, and grow the company through structured use of governmental support instruments in Finland.

Funding projects are an integral part of this work. They are used to develop new solutions, validate them with real customers, test feasibility in practice, build operational capability step by step, and reduce risk when entering new markets.

Each project is linked to concrete results, including new services or products, pilot projects, and further business development.

Ari Toivola is a shipbuilding and industrial professional with over 35 years of hands-on experience across manufacturing, refit, and large-scale project environments. He began his career in production and installation roles and progressed through site management, department leadership, and business development, gaining a full understanding of shipyard operations and project delivery from the ground up.

He has worked with all major Finnish shipyards and across key European shipbuilding markets, supporting contractors and industrial companies in managing complex projects and improving operations. This experience gives him a clear understanding of how technical solutions must function in real production and installation environments.

Ari’s strength lies in connecting technical execution with commercial outcomes. He leads sales, customer relationships, and on-site operations, ensuring that projects are delivered according to scope, schedule, and quality requirements. His established network of clients, suppliers, and subcontractors enables Marinator to access opportunities, build reliable teams, and secure project pipelines.

In development projects, Ari contributes by grounding new solutions in practical reality. His understanding of installation sequences, coordination challenges, and shipyard constraints ensures that concepts are realistic, buildable, and aligned with customer expectations. He is responsible for market validation, customer engagement, and implementation planning, as well as site coordination, procurement, and operational risk management.

Ari ensures that developed solutions are practical, buildable, and ready to be delivered under real project conditions.

Dr. Irina Toivola is an engineer with a PhD in Shipbuilding Engineering and over 15 years of experience in manufacturing, business development, and industrial project environments. Her background combines technical engineering with financial control, system development, and structured business management.

She has worked in management and consulting roles across Finland, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and the Baltic states, supporting industrial companies in business control, financial management, restructuring, and operational development. Her experience covers the full business cycle, from engineering and production to financial performance and company structuring.

In addition, Irina has led ERP implementation and digitalisation projects for international manufacturing companies. This strengthens her ability to design structured systems, manage complex data, and build scalable operational models that support growth.

Within Marinator, Irina is responsible for financial management, funding strategy, and development structure. She prepares and manages government funding applications, oversees budgeting and cost control, and ensures compliance with reporting and regulatory requirements. She also develops internal processes, documentation systems, and quality frameworks aligned with ISO standards.

Her key role in development projects is to translate ideas into structured, viable solutions. She evaluates technical feasibility, scalability, and economic impact, ensuring that new concepts are not only technically sound but also commercially realistic and ready for further development, piloting, and market entry.

Irina ensures that development work is structured, measurable, and aligned with long-term business growth.