From lampshade maker to a trusted metal industry contract manufacturer
Although Lankapaja Oy is now one of Finland’s leading metal industry manufacturers, our beginnings are humble. Yrjö Kuloaho established Lankapaja Oy in 1935 to produce lampshades. The production facilities were located in the Punavuori district of Helsinki in Finland, and it has been a long journey to our current factories in Nummela and Lahti in Finland and all the way to Sweden. In 2015, our company celebrated 80 years of success.
Today, our production caters to multiple different industries and includes numerous high-quality metal products from every scale of industrial contract manufacturing to designer products and furniture. Read on to discover our corporate history and get in touch if you are looking for a partner in the metal industry.
1930s
Lankapaja starts its business in 1935 in the Punavuori district of Helsinki.
1940s
As war hinders operations, materials are in short supply.
1950s
The business grows. Lankapaja recruits more employees and modernises its tools. The company moves to the Käpylä district.
1960s
Competition grows stiffer in the industry. The sales of Lankapaja continue their steady growth regardless.
1970s
Lankapaja develops from a workshop into an industrial subcontractor. A new generation takes over and a new production control system is introduced around the same time, improving the efficiency of work.
1980s
Lankapaja develops from a workshop into an industrial subcontractor. A new generation takes over and a new production control system is introduced around the same time, improving the efficiency of work.
1990s
The company moves to the Kivenlahti neighbourhood in Espoo. While the industry suffers from a heavy recession, Lankapaja finds success in exports.
2000s
Lankapaja advances by leaps and bounds in the 2000s, including a move to a much larger facility in Nummela in Finland with a floor area of 12,000 square metres.
2010s
The early 2010s are characterised by rapid expansion. The company acquires a whopping 10,000 square metres of extra production space and expands to Lahti in Finland and, thanks to increased demand, to Skillingaryd in southern Sweden.
2020s
Lankapaja develops its operations by increasing the level of automation. The annual investments into production reach €2–4 million per year. Lankapaja improves its capabilities by signing deals for more challenging products and expands its manufacturing know-how into rail transport and vehicle manufacturing. Towards the end of 2021, Lankapaja acquires Reifer Oy located in Kangasniemi in Finland.