Hilmola is a professor of industrial management at Lappeenranta/Lahti University of Technology and a researcher at the University of Gävle. His research interests include transportation systems, infrastructure development, industrial competitiveness, and supply chain management. Research methods used include case study, mathematical modeling, simulation, and survey research. He has been consortium leader, project leader and principal researcher in numerous national and international research projects. Total amount of research funding received equals roughly 20 MSEK. Many of the previous projects are relevant for the current application, covering aspects such as supply chain design, offshoring and outsourcing principles and competitive manufacturing in developed countries. He is a supervisor for several doctoral students, has published more than 180 scientific journal articles and is well cited. His research has won several awards.