Metal industry

The manufacture of steel and non-ferrous metals and diversified product upgrading is a modern and globally competitive branch. The introduction of cutting-edge technology in manufacturing processes has boosted production and efficiency in the Finnish metals industry to world level, with 70% of the production of the industry exported to over 60 countries. The most important product is steel, incorporated in highly processed products such as steel roofing and cladding, pipes, coated sheeting and stainless steel products. In addition to steel products the industry produces copper, zinc and nickel and carries on diversified further processing of copper. A high level of investment in environmental protection has resulted in substantial reductions in energy consumption and emissions so that present levels are amongst the lowest in the world. Scrap metal sourcing and recovery is well-organised. Discarded products are re-used as raw materials with consequent savings of natural resources and energy.

A number of iron works were founded in southern Finland in the 17th century. The abundance of unharnessed water power made the area around Pohja an ideal center for the Finnish iron industry. Ironworks were founded in Antskog around 1630 and in Billnäs in 1641. Fiskars was founded in 1649, and is today one of the oldest companies in the western world. The company Fiskars and its history will here be as an example of Finnish metal industry through centuries.

At the time of the foundation of Fiskars ironworks, Finland was administered by Sweden, a major European iron producer in the 17th century. Fiskars made nails, wire, knives, hoes and metal reinforced wheels from pig iron. Over the next 160 years industrial and economic development accelerated in Europe. Fiskars began its tradition of being in the forefront of innovation; manufacturing of forks and scissors expanded the knife works and in the 1830's the company manufactured the first Finnish steamship engine. During the next 150 years, Fiskars solidified its position as a premier steel and ironworks company, manufacturing a widening range of architectural, industrial, agricultural and housewares-related products. (Federation of Finnish Metal, Engineering and Electrotechnical Industries, 2001)

Kaasmarkku ironwork.