Company

Time moves on... the history of Purso

The operations of the Purso Group date back to the end of the 1950s, when the construction activities of Suojapinta Oy started (1959) and anodizing began (1960).

The 1970s saw the expansion of Purso

Purso Oy was established at the beginning of the 1970s (1972). During this decade the first extrusion line became operational, the aluminium works was extended twice, and Purso’s light metal workshop was established after the mid-1970s. The Purso companies’ first acquisition was Matti Karasto Ky, a tool factory in Pirkkala. This acquisition was the first step in forming the Tools division later

The 1980s was a decade of acquisitions

The 1980s started with the setting up of extrusion line II and a smelting plant in Ikaalinen. A Riihimäki-based company called Konekromi was purchased and merged into Purso. A small parts anodizing line and an administration building were both completed. The mid-1980s saw the acquisition of Veme and its incorporation into Purso. The pace of acquisitions increased and the Tools division went from strength to strength. The purchase of another tools factory (Optiikka- ja tarkkuusväline) based in Tampere was completed. Konekromi moved into its new premises, the anodizing plant was extended and an automated anodizing line was opened. Rosenlew Tools, based in Pori, was acquired and merged as a profit unit into the Tools division. The acquisitions continued with the purchase of the Kopiotyöstö Oy tools factory in Oitti and Riihimäki, and Takomo Forge in Pirkkala. The aluminium works was extended twice during this decade.

The 1990s witnessed the formation of the divisions

It was decided that the three focus areas that had developed through these acquisitions should be formed into three divisions: Aluminium Industry, Components and Tools. The Aluminium Industry comprised Suojapinta, Purso and Linjapinta, which was acquired at the beginning of the decade. The Components division included Purso Oy Konekromi, Purso Oy Veme, Purso Oy Takomo and the new acquisitions Kovil Oy, based in Savonlinna, and Fennosteel Oy, based in Parkano. The Tools division comprised four Purso Oy units specializing in the manufacture of tools which were incorporated in the mid-1990s under the name Purso Tools Oy.
The numerous acquisitions made it necessary to come up with a common denominator for this group of companies and thus the Purso Group was created. At the beginning of the decade Takomo was expanded and towards the middle of the decade Purso opened a new paint shop. During these years the Purso Group focused on its work and concentrated, in particular, on ensuring a high level of skills. The creation and certification of quality control systems in the different units was characteristic of the times.
At the beginning of 1997 there was a change of generation in the Purso Group when Esko Ollila stepped down from the post of Managing Director of Purso after 37 years to become Chairman of the Board and Jari Ollila was appointed as the new Managing Director. In 1998 the former parent company Suojapinta was merged with Purso and Purso Oy Takomo was incorporated under the name Faperum Oy the following year. The Purso Group made extensive equipment investments and the process plant was completed.

A new millennium

The extension of the aluminium works and the installation of the new extrusion line were completed at the end of 2002. Purso Oy Veme was incorporated under the name Veme Oy. Purso Oy Konekromi was closed down and some of its operations were transferred to Veme Oy. In 2003 Jari Ollila became Chairman of the Board and Rauno Kortesoja, Division Director, was appointed as Managing Director. Esko Ollila remained as a member of the Board. Linjapinta Oy’s modernized paint shop started its operations.