Harvia
Corporate brand
UnclaimedHarvia is a Finnish manufacturer of sauna heaters, saunas, spas and related wellness products.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Harvia is a Finnish sauna and spa equipment company whose roots date to 1950, when Tapani Harvia established a small metalworking workshop in Jyväskylä. The business initially made decorative metal products and hearth doors, but its direction changed after Harvia built a wood-burning sauna stove for his own use. A commercial wood-burning stove followed in the mid-1950s, and sauna heaters soon became the company's principal product. By the end of the 1950s, the company was selling roughly 500 heaters annually. The company developed from a family workshop into an industrial manufacturer during the 1960s and 1970s. It began producing continuously heated heaters in the early 1960s and moved to its own industrial premises in Muurame in 1972. Members of the Harvia family joined the business during the 1970s, with Risto Harvia becoming chief executive in 1977. The company adopted the name Harvia Oy in 1980 and added electric heaters to its wood-burning range in the early 1980s. By the end of that decade, annual production had reached approximately 20,000 wood-fired and 5,000 electric heaters. International expansion accelerated in the 1990s, with exports reaching Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the United States. Around the turn of the millennium, Harvia was producing approximately 100,000 heaters per year, about half for export. Manufacturing and sourcing expanded beyond Finland, including a Chinese factory established in 2005. By 2013, exports represented about 60 percent of turnover and the company employed approximately 300 people in Finland, China and Hong Kong. A major ownership transition occurred in 2014, when the Harvia family sold an 80 percent stake to the Finnish investment firm CapMan. The transaction was intended to support further development and a future stock-market listing. Under CapMan ownership, Harvia expanded its product portfolio and international platform through acquisitions. It acquired Spa Modules in Estonia and Sentiotec in Austria, adding steam rooms, infrared saunas, digital controls, accessories and related products. The company also established a wood-burning heater factory in Russia in 2015. Harvia became a publicly traded company on Nasdaq Helsinki in March 2018. That year it acquired Almost Heaven Saunas in the United States, strengthening its position in residential sauna modules and the North American market. In 2020, it acquired approximately 80 percent of EOS Group, a German sauna and spa technology manufacturer. Further acquisitions followed in 2021, including Kirami, a Finnish manufacturer of hot tubs and bath barrels, and Sauna-Eurox, a sauna-stone company. In 2022, Harvia acquired the remaining shares of EOS, consolidating control of the group. The Russian invasion of Ukraine led Harvia to suspend and subsequently withdraw from the Russian market in 2022. Its Russian activities were transferred through the sale of EOS Russia, completed in March 2023. In the same period, the company continued expanding in other regions. Matias Järnefelt became chief executive in June 2023, and Harvia acquired Phoenix El-Mec of Italy, a long-standing supplier of electromechanical timers for heaters and other appliances. Harvia's portfolio now covers traditional wood-burning and electric heaters, steam-sauna equipment, infrared and hybrid saunas, complete sauna rooms, smart controls, sauna accessories, sauna stones, fragrances and hot tubs. The company serves residential, commercial and professional customers through dealers, online channels and retail partners. Its products have been distributed in more than 80 countries, with North America, Japan and European markets among its important growth areas. Harvia operates as a global sauna and wellness platform while retaining its Finnish manufacturing heritage and Muurame headquarters.
History
Harvia began in 1950 as Tapani Harvia's Art Workshop in Jyväskylä. After producing decorative metalwork and hearth doors, the workshop entered the sauna market through a wood-burning stove designed by its founder. Commercial heater production developed during the 1950s, and sauna heaters became the company's central business. The firm was renamed Takomo T Harvia Ky in 1958, Harvia Ky in 1961 and Harvia Oy in 1980. Production expanded during the 1960s, including continuously heated heaters, and the company moved to Muurame in 1972. Risto Harvia became chief executive in 1977. Electric heaters were added in the early 1980s, complementing the established wood-burning range. During the 1990s, Harvia began exporting more systematically to Europe, Russia and the United States. A Chinese factory was established in 2005, and by 2013 exports represented approximately 60 percent of turnover. In 2014, the Harvia family sold 80 percent of the company to CapMan. The subsequent period brought new management, additional manufacturing capacity and acquisitions in sauna interiors, steam technology, infrared products and digital controls. Harvia listed on Nasdaq Helsinki in 2018 and acquired Almost Heaven Saunas later that year. In 2020 it acquired a majority stake in EOS Group, followed in 2021 by Kirami and Sauna-Eurox. Harvia acquired the remaining EOS shares in 2022. The company withdrew from Russia after suspending operations following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. EOS Russia was ultimately sold to its chief executive, with completion reported in March 2023. Harvia appointed Matias Järnefelt as chief executive in June 2023 and acquired Phoenix El-Mec in September. The modern group combines Finnish heater manufacturing with international brands, production sites, sales organizations and dealer distribution. Its range spans traditional, steam, infrared and hybrid saunas, smart controls, complete sauna rooms, accessories, sauna stones and hot tubs.
- 2023
Phoenix El-Mec acquisition
[1]Harvia acquires its Italian electromechanical-timer supplier.
- 2022
Withdrawal from Russia
[1]Harvia suspends and then exits its Russian operations.
- 2020
EOS majority acquisition
[1]Harvia acquires approximately 80 percent of EOS Group.
- 2018
Nasdaq Helsinki listing
[1]Harvia's shares begin trading on Nasdaq Helsinki.
- 2014
CapMan acquires a majority stake
[1]The Harvia family sells 80 percent of the business to CapMan.
- 2005
Chinese factory established
[1]Harvia adds manufacturing capacity in China.
- 1980
Harvia Oy is formed
[1]Harvia Ky changes its corporate form and becomes Harvia Oy.
- 1972
Move to Muurame
[1]Harvia relocates to its own industrial facility in Muurame.
- 1958
The company adopts the Takomo T Harvia name
[1]The business is renamed as its heater manufacturing develops.
- 1950
Harvia is founded
[1]Tapani Harvia establishes an art and metalworking workshop in Jyväskylä.
Products and positioning
A Finnish-origin, globally distributed sauna and wellness equipment specialist spanning heaters, complete sauna environments, controls, accessories and spa products.
Sauna heaters · 1950
Wood-burning sauna heaters
Harvia's original commercial product line, developed from the founder's first stove in 1950. The range serves traditional saunas and includes models for residential and commercial installations.
Sauna heaters · 1980
Electric sauna heaters
Electric heaters, introduced in the early 1980s, form a major part of Harvia's modern portfolio. Models range from compact domestic units to larger systems, including products that can be paired with steam generation and digital controls.
Sauna technology
Steam and infrared systems
Harvia supplies steam generators, infrared equipment and hybrid solutions that combine traditional sauna heating with infrared functionality. These products broaden the group beyond conventional heater technology.
Controls
Smart sauna controls
Digital control panels, remote-control systems and Wi-Fi-enabled heaters allow users to manage sauna temperature and operation. Safety features are designed to prevent remote activation in unsafe conditions.
Sauna rooms
Complete sauna rooms and modules
Harvia sells complete sauna rooms and modular residential solutions. Almost Heaven Saunas contributes a significant North American range of prefabricated home sauna units.
Accessories
Sauna accessories and stones
The portfolio includes sauna stones, buckets, wooden racks, hangers, fire chambers, fragrances, menthol crystals and other installation or bathing accessories.
Spa products · 2021
Hot tubs and bath barrels
The acquisition of Kirami added hot tubs and bath barrels to Harvia's broader home-wellness offering.
Brand decisions
2022
Exit the Russian marketStrategyBackground
Russia's invasion of Ukraine created operational, ethical and geopolitical risks for Harvia's Russian business.
Action taken
Harvia suspended operations and withdrew from Russia; EOS Russia was later sold to its chief executive.
Aftermath
The EOS Russia divestment was completed in March 2023, removing the Russian operation from the group.
2020
Acquire a majority stake in EOS GroupM&ABackground
Harvia aimed to broaden its offering in sauna and spa technology.
Action taken
Harvia acquired approximately 80 percent of EOS Group and later bought the remaining shares in 2022.
Aftermath
EOS became an integrated part of Harvia's international product and technology platform.
2018
Acquire Almost Heaven SaunasM&ABackground
Harvia sought to strengthen its presence in the United States and expand its residential sauna offering.
Action taken
Harvia acquired the American sauna manufacturer Almost Heaven Saunas.
Aftermath
The acquisition added United States manufacturing and sales capabilities to the group.
2014
Sell a majority stake to CapManM&ABackground
The Harvia family sought a new ownership structure that could support expansion and a future stock-market listing.
Action taken
The family sold 80 percent of the business to CapMan while Pertti Harvia remained chief executive.
Aftermath
Harvia accelerated international expansion and acquisition activity before becoming publicly listed.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Harvia announces acquisition of Sauna-Eurox and Parhaat Löylyt[2]
Harvia announced the acquisition of sauna-stone supplier Sauna-Eurox Oy and its sister company Parhaat Löylyt Oy.
Reported
Harvia completes acquisition of West Virginia facility[3]
Harvia completed the acquisition of a facility in Lewisburg, West Virginia, suited for producing sauna and spa products. The facility includes 8,900 m² of production and office space; the transaction value was approximately EUR 2.1 million.
Sources3 sources
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