The History of Ahlström

1851

The beginning

Antti Ahlström starts his business in the fields of shipping and goods

1827: Antti Ahlström is born on November 7th in Merikarvia, the fourth son of a farmer. His humble beginnings shapes a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit.

1850: Antti marries Anna Margaretha (Greta) Liljeblad.
Through this marriage, he gains ownership of the Isotalo estate in Lankoski, which include a mill, rag paper factory, ceramics workshop, and part of a sawmill. These assets become the foundation of his emerging business activities.

1851: Antti settles in Lankoski and begins shaping the industrial operations that would grow into his business empire.

1856: Antti establishes a shipping company, expanding his business activities beyond land-based industry

1871: Antti becomes Pori’s largest shipowner, operating two barques and a frigate. This solidifies his position as a major figure in Finnish industry and marks the true beginning of Ahlström’s rise as a major enterprise

1870-1881

Noormarkku Heritage

1870: Antti Ahlström acquires the Noormarkku Works, marking a major turning point for the family. The purchase includes ironworks, sawmills, and vast land holdings. Noormarkku becomes the family’s home and the center of business operations.

1881: the manor-like Isotalo is completed, designed by architect Evert Lagerspetz. It serves both as a family residence and an office.

1901: Villa Havulinna is added to the Noormarkku estate, contributing to its growing cultural and architectural significance

1907: The Head Office building is completed, further strengthening Noormarkku as the administrative heart of the business

Today, Noormarkku is one of Finland’s most impressive historic industrial areas, blending architecture, design, and heritage. It remains a hub for family gatherings, cultural events, and business representation, symbolizing Ahlström’s enduring legacy.

1871-1895

Eva Ahlström’s Leadership & Incorporation

1871: After the death of his first wife Greta, Antti Ahlström marries Eva Holmström. Eva becomes his trusted partner and later emerges as one of Finland’s first female industrial leaders.

1873: Antti and Eva expand their business by acquiring Kauttua Works.

1877: The couple continues their industrial growth with the acquisition of Leineperi Works.

1886: They purchase Strömfors Works, further strengthening the company’s industrial base.

1870s-1880s: (Expansion Period): In addition to major ironworks, they acquire numerous sawmills across Finland. These purchases bring into the company ironworks, blast furnaces, hammer forges and thousands

1890: By this decade, Ahlström has become a diversified industrial powerhouse with operations spanning multiple sectors

1896: Antti passes away. Eva assumes leadership, ensuring continuity and guiding the company through successful transition.

1807: Under Eva’s influence and long-term vision, the company is officially incorporated as A. Ahlström Osakeyhtiö.

Late 19th–Early 20th Century (Eva’s social impact): Beyond business leadership, Eva advocates for education, healthcare and women’s rights. Her work leaves lasting social legacy in Finland.

1907-1931

Modernisation

1907: A. Ahlström Osakeyhtiö is incorporated, marking the company’s first major generational transition. Walter Ahlström, the son of Antti and Eva, assumes leadership.Walter begins transforming the company from a sawmill-centered business into a modern industrial conglomerate. He emphasizes technological development, industrial modernization, and education, laying the foundation for long-term innovation.

1925: Walter establishes the Walter Ahlström Foundation. The foundation supports postgraduate studies and international training for Finnish engineers. This initiative strengthens Finland’s engineering expertise and enhances Ahlström’s global competitiveness. Walter’s vision positions the company for future international expansion and continued leadership in innovation.

1910-1917

Paper & Glass Era

1910: Ahlström acquires Varkaus Works. Varkaus begins developing into a major paper-production center.

1915: Ahlström expands further with the acquisition of Karhula. Karhula brings glass manufacturing and engineering expertise into the company’s operations.

1917: Ahlström purchases Iittala Glassworks. Iittala introduces a new dimension of design excellence, later becoming world-renowned.

1921: At Varkaus, Ahlström begins operating Finland’s widest paper machine, marking a milestone in the nation’s paper industry.

1910s–1920s (Overall Impact): These strategic acquisitions diversify Ahlström’s industrial portfolio.The company strengthens its position in paper production, glass manufacturing, engineering and design. Ahlström emerges as a key driver of Finnish industrial development.

1914–1944

War & Resilience

1918: The Finnish Civil War reaches Noormarkku. Rafael Ahlström, along with others, is killed—one of the family’s greatest tragedies. The conflict causes major disruption to business operations across the company.

1939-1945 (World War II Period): Global war disrupts exports, forcing Ahlström to shift production toward wartime needs. At Karhula, the company manufactures bunker components and other materials essential to the war effort. With men serving at the front, women step into industrial roles, ensuring production continues despite extreme challenges.

1942: Antti Ahlström Perilliset Oy is founded. Its purpose is to safeguard family ownership and create a stable governance structure. This step strengthens the company’s resilience and helps ensure continuity through wartime instability.

1937–1939

Design Icons

1937: Ahlström opens the Industrial Palace in Helsinki. The building includes Restaurant Savoy, with interiors designed by Alvar Aalto. Aalto also begins collaborating with Ahlström on architectural and housing projects in Kauttua, developing early concepts for modern residential design.

1939: In Kauttua, Alvar Aalto completes the Terraced House, an innovative housing model reflecting modernist ideals. Aino and Alvar Aalto design Villa Mairea in Noormarkku for Harry and Maire Gullichsen. Villa Mairea becomes a modernist masterpiece, celebrated for its blending of architecture, art, and nature. The estate symbolizes Ahlström’s commitment to cultural patronage and architectural innovation.

1963–1990

Global Expansion

1963: Ahlström expanded internationally by acquiring Cartiere Giacomo Bosso in Italy, marking its first major step toward becoming a global industrial player

1976: The company further strengthened its European presence with the acquisition of Kämmerer GmbH in Germany.

1960s–1990s: Ahlström diversified into specialty papers, filtration, pumps, and advanced materials while establishing operations in North America and Asia. By the 1990s, the company operated across multiple continents, laying the foundation for its position as a global leader in engineered materials.

2001

Strategic Transformation

2001: Facing increasing global competition, Ahlström streamlined its operations, divested non-core businesses, and focused on specialty materials. That year, the group split into three companies: Ahlstrom Corporation (fibre-based materials), Ahlström Capital (investment), and A. Ahlström Osakeyhtiö (property and forest management). This restructuring clarified roles and positioned each entity for sustainable growth.

2001–2021

Active Ownership & Legacy

2001–2003
Ahlström invested in Vacon and Nordkalk, strengthening its position in industrial and technology-driven businesses.

2005–2008
Wessen was acquired, alongside an investment in Salmisaari real estate.
In the following years, Salmisaari was sold (2007) and Wessen was divested (2008) as part of portfolio optimization.

2010–2013
A cleantech fund was established, highlighting a growing focus on sustainability, while Nordkalk and later Elbi were sold.

2014–2016
Ahlström significantly expanded its portfolio by acquiring Destia and investing in Outokumpu, Suominen, and Kasarmikatu 21 real estate.
Holdings in Ahlstrom, Munksjö, and forest and real estate assets were added to the Ahlström Capital portfolio.
During this period, Vacon, Outokumpu, and ÅR Packaging were sold.

2017–2018
Ahlstrom and Munksjö merged, forming Ahlstrom-Munksjö.
At the same time, investments were made in Glaston, Detection Technology, and Hankasuontie real estate, while Kasarmikatu 21 was sold.

2020–2021
Ahlström expanded its real estate investments in Vantaa and Tampere and invested in M&J Recycling, Avain Yhtiöt, and Green Chemistry Park in Espoo.
In 2021, Ahlstrom-Munksjö was taken private, and Destia was sold.

2022–2023
A strategic investment was made in Bast Fibre Technologies, the Enics–GPV merger was completed, and the Munksjö Décor business was acquired.
In 2023, Metsäkonepalvelu was acquired, strengthening Ahlström’s position in forest and fiber services.

2023-

A. Ahlström

In March 2023, Ahlström Capital merged with Antti Ahlström Perilliset to form A. Ahlström Corporation. At the end of 2023, A. Ahlström’s ownership includes Ahlström Invest B.V. (including a significant ownership in Ahlstrom Oyj), Munksjö Paper AB, Suominen Corporation, Metsäkonepalvelu Oy, Bast Fibre Technologies Inc, M&J Recycling A/S, Detection Technology Plc, Glaston Corporation and GPV Group A/S.

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History of Ahlström

175 years of Industrial Traditions

A. Ahlström Oy is one of Finland’s largest industrial owners and part of the Ahlström family heritage – one of the most significant industrial families in Finland from the 1850s onwards.