Finnsvala

Finnsvala Oy is a Finnish company that designs, manufactures and markets technical clothing, sold under the product brand Svala of Finland. It was founded in 1955 in Kärsämäki, Finland, where it still operates. The company traces its origins to the Svala family, who began making clothing in post-war Finland; after rationing ended in the 1950s, Elli Svala proposed founding a company, and her husband Paavo Svala sold the garments — initially Suomi tracksuits and underwear — to retail shops around Finland. The business was formalised in 1955 as Kärsämäen Trikoo, and the Finnsvala trade name was registered when exports to Sweden began and an easier-to-pronounce name was wanted. Through the 1970s and 1980s Finnsvala concentrated on cotton basic underwear, producing as many as 4,000 undergarments a day, and in 1972 the company passed to a new generation under Kyösti and Raija Svala. The recession of the 1990s pushed Finnsvala to specialise in technical underwear and thermal layers, adding Coolmax helmet hoods for snowmobilers and motorcyclists and flame-retardant products. In 2015 Onerva Aakko took over as entrepreneur, and in summer 2018 new production facilities were completed in Kärsämäki to meet growing demand linked to internationalisation. Today Finnsvala's main user groups are active athletes, cold-weather workers, food-industry and construction workers, and authorities, with motorsport athletes as a special segment. The company states that all its products are made in Finland and carry the Finnish Work Association's Avainlippu (Key Flag) mark. It is the only Finnish clothing manufacturer to have received FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) approval for motorsport helmet hoods, and its non-flammable accessories hold CE type approval. The Svala product range is built around merino wool and technical fabrics. Collections include Airbase, which balances body temperature and keeps skin dry across activity levels; Merino Extreme, a double-layer fabric combining soft merino wool with technical polypropylene for breathable comfort even on sensitive skin; and the Merino Design Collection for active women. The company also highlights Merino Cordura, a fabric combining the warmth of merino with the strength of Cordura, and runs a Svala Outlet. Products span base layers, long johns, shirts, T-shirts and sleeveless tops for men and women, marketed with the tagline that whatever sport you choose, wear Svala.

The Svala family began making clothing in post-war Finland, initially limited to their own household, sewing everyday clothes for the family from old army greatcoats. In the 1950s the end of rationing made it possible to buy knitwear and fabrics, and Elli Svala had the idea of founding a company. Her husband Paavo Svala was a driver by trade and began selling the Suomi tracksuits and underwear Elli made to retail shops around Finland. The products sold as fast as they could be made, so in 1955 the logical next step was to formalise the operation as a registered company under the name Kärsämäen Trikoo. Demand grew, and in the 1960s production was expanded and mechanised. As exports to Sweden began, the company wanted a name that was easier to pronounce, and Finnsvala was registered as a trade name. In the 1970s and 1980s Finnsvala focused on producing cotton basic underwear, making 4,000 undergarments a day. The company had also passed to a new generation in 1972, under the leadership of Kyösti and Raija Svala. With the recession of the 1990s, Finnsvala specialised in technical underwear and thermal layers. Coolmax helmet hoods for snowmobilers and motorcyclists were added to the product portfolio, along with flame-retardant products. In 2015 Onerva Aakko started as the new entrepreneur. Products are made from technical materials and merino wool. In summer 2018 new production facilities were completed for Finnsvala Oy in Kärsämäki; the added production capacity was intended to anticipate growing demand, particularly as the company internationalised. Finnsvala's main user groups are active athletes, cold-weather workers, food-industry and construction workers, and authorities. Motorsport athletes are a special user group, and Finnsvala is the only Finnish clothing manufacturer to have been granted FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) approval for helmet hoods used in motorsport. Its non-flammable accessories hold CE type approval. All products are made in Finland and carry the Finnish Work Association's Avainlippu mark. The company markets its products under the Svala of Finland product brand, and its current range is built around merino wool and technical fabrics such as Merino Cordura, with collections including Airbase, Merino Extreme and the Merino Design Collection.

• 2018

  New production facilities completed in Kärsämäki to meet growing international demand.

• 2015

  Onerva Aakko started as the new entrepreneur.

• 1990

  Following the recession, Finnsvala specialised in technical underwear and thermal layers, adding Coolmax helmet hoods and flame-retardant products.

• 1972

  Company passed to a new generation under Kyösti and Raija Svala.

• 1960

  Production expanded and mechanised; exports to Sweden began and the Finnsvala trade name was registered.

• 1955

  Business formalised as a registered company under the name Kärsämäen Trikoo.

Finnish-made technical and merino-wool clothing for active athletes, cold-weather workers and authorities, with FIA-approved motorsport helmet hoods.

• Airbase long johns

• Airbase Shirt with Raglan Sleeves

• Airbase Deluxe Long Johns

• Airbase Deluxe Shirt

• Airbase Round-Neck T-Shirt

• Merino Tee 200 T-shirt

• Airbase Sleeveless Base Layer Top

1. 1Home | Svalasvala.com
2. 2Finnsvalawikidata.org
3. 3Finnsvalafi.wikipedia.org