FROM 1649 TO THE PRESENT
During the seventeenth century a number of ironworks were founded in Finland. The large tracts of forestland in the Pohja region along with its unharnessed water power and good water routes made it an ideal centre for the Finnish iron industry. The ironworks at Antskog were founded around 1630, and Billnäs followed in 1641. Fiskars was started in 1649, and today is one of the oldest businesses in the western world.
1649 - Fiskars ironworks founded
When the ironworks were founded in Finland was under Swedish rule, and Sweden was one of Europe's biggest producers of iron in the seventeenth century. In 1649, Peter Thorwöste was granted the privilege of setting up a blast furnace and bar hammer in Fiskars and for the manufacture of cast iron and forged products. The iron ore used in Fiskars was mainly brought in from the Utö mine in Stockholm's outer archipelago and most of the bar iron manufactured at the ironworks was shipped to Sweden to be sold on the Iron Market in Stockholm's Old Town. In Fiskars, the iron was also used to make nails, thread, knives, hoes, iron wheels and other things.
Eighteenth century - From ironworks to copperworks
After the Great Northern War (1700-1721) the ironworks came into the possession of a merchant called John Montgomerie in 1731, and he called in more skilled workers from abroad to work there. After Montgomerie, Fiskars was owned by John Jennings and Robert Finlay. The former quickly gave up his share, but Finlay kept his and also started processing copper ore. In 1783, the ironworks was taken over by the Björkman family and production focused on processing copper ore from the nearby Orijärvi copper mine. By the nineteenth century there was little copper left to be mined in Orijärvi, so the blast furnace was closed in 1802. Since then there has been no basic iron manufacturing done in Fiskars Village.
1822 - the Julin family era begins in Fiskars
In 1822 the apothecary Johan Jacob Julin (later, von Julin) from Turku bought Fiskars ironworks and village. In his time, the ironworks were actively developed and production focused on processing iron. With the 1832 founding in Fiskars of Finland's first cutlery mill the production range increased from knives to include forks and scissors. In 1837 Fiskars saw another first in Finland, when its machine workshop was founded in the village. In the 1830s, Finland's first steam engine was manufactured at the workshop. The Fiskars tradition of implementing reform and innovation has its roots in this period.
Many social reforms also took place during Julin's ownership, during which the ironworks village got its own school and hospital. Farming in the village was greatly improved. Fiskars had a significant influence on the development of Finnish agriculture, and in its day the Fiskars plough workshop manufactured more than a million ploughs. Under Julin's leadership, Fiskars became known for its farm and household implements, and the Fiskars name became synonymous with high quality.
The new Fiskars cutlery mill took advantage of skills learned Sweden and England. Among other things, the mill manufactured table knives, forks and scissors. The work at the cutlery mill required craftsmanship and artistry and the smiths were very protective of their professional processes. In the nineteenth century, workdays in the smithy were long, beginning at 5.30 a.m. the work went on till 7.15 p.m. Boys were apprenticed at between eight and ten years of age, and their apprenticeship lasted some eight years. Julin built a school in Fiskars in 1826, and in 1833 a so-called Bell-Lancaster school was started there. The teaching method was progressive, with the most advanced pupils participating in teaching their fellow students. The school was open every day of the week so that all children, including those who had to work, had a chance to get an education.
1883 - Fiskars becomes a limited company
On the death of J.J. Julin, the ironworks were lead by a guardianship administration. Little by little the power was amassed by Emil Lindsay von Julin and the limited company Fiskars was founded.
1918 - Fiskars grows and develops
The productivity of the ironworks was raised by developing improved methods of processing steel and by renewing the rolling mill at Åminnefors. The product range was expanded and Fiskars founded Finland's first metal spring factory. The company also bought Inha Works in Ähtäri as well as the companies Billnäs Bruks Ab and Oy Ferraria Ab.
1929 - the great stock market crash and the recession
The Finnish economy suffered from the great stock market crash of 1929 and this slowed down expansion at Fiskars. In Finland, the effects of the crash were felt into the mid 1930s. Not until the end of the Second World War did the Fiskars' management team realize its plans for reforming the company structure to accommodate mass production.
1967 - Fiskars manufactures the world's first plastic-handled scissors
The orange-handled scissors are one of Fiskars' best known products. But how was decided to make the handles of the scissors orange?
In 1967 when the first basic models were about to be manufactured the designer wanted the scissors to be black, red or green. As the prototype went into production, the machinist decided to finish off the orange color he had in his machine. This meant prototypes were made in four different colors, of which the orange and black were most popular. A choice had to be made. An internal vote was taken at Fiskars, and the result gave birth to Fiskars orange-handled scissors.
1977 - Fiskars scissors factory founded in the USA
Fiskars' expansion began with the founding of a scissors factory in the United States. Setting up in the strongest economy in the world, the US, proved to be a successful choice. It has provided a basis for international trade, a growing market and valuable commercial and professional experience.
1999 - Fiskars celebrates its 350th anniversary
Naturally, the 350th anniversary of the ironworks was celebrated in many ways at the company's birthplace in Fiskars Village during the spring and summer of 1999. The exhibition Fiskars Today, which was seen by more than 60,000 visitors, presented the company's operations and products around the world. Various concerts and other events also brought company employees, clients and other interested groups to Fiskars Village for the celebrations.
Fiskars today
Today Fiskars is best known for its consumer products, such as scissors and garden tools. This is the company's largest industrial operation and run by the subsidiary Fiskars Brands, organized in four divisions: Craft, Garden, Houseware and Outdoor Recreation. Fiskars' tradition within boat building is carried on and developed by Inha Works, manufacturing Buster aluminum fishing and leisure boats as well as hinges and rail fasteners for the Nordic market. The Real Estate Group manages nearly 15,000 hectares of real estate and properties, mostly situated in south-western Finland. Wärtsilä Corporation is an associated company.
In 2007, Fiskars orange-handled scissors celebrate their 40th anniversary, while the Buster boat turns 30. The shape and form of the iconic scissors, designed by Olof Bäckström in 1967, resemble those of classic tailor scissors. In their era they introduced new and user-friendly ergonomics to the market. The orange color of the handles happened by chance. The Fiskars Orange® was however registered as an official trademark in 2004 in Finland and in January 2007 in the USA. A 40th anniversary edition of the tailor's scissors will be released by Fiskars during 2007 to celebrate the classic product.