HT Collection company presentation

Owner Markku Karjalainen says:

For more than 60 years, our furniture has been a part of Finns' everyday life and moments of togetherness. Although the design and production size have changed many times over the years, our core values ​​have remained the same. Quality, functionality and comfort are the most important features of our furniture even today. 

It was 1959, when Ensio and Annikki Karjalainen decided to found a furniture company. Huonekalutuote Oy was chosen as the name of the company and operations began in rented premises in Lahti's Asemantausta on the upper floor of Selma Toivonen's weaving house. The first employees were also obtained from the family circle, when Ensio's two brothers, Risto and Lauri, joined. 

The demand for furniture grew so quickly that already in the early 60s, production was moved from Asemantaustaus to larger premises in Kukkila, Lahti. In 1966, the premises became small again, so our own premises were built in Hollola's Salpakakkai, where our furniture is still manufactured today. Production was at its peak in the mid-70s, when Huonekalutuote employed a maximum of 120 people.

The 80s was a time of growth both globally in the economy and also for HT Collection. HT's furniture took over furniture stores and interior design stores. Exports to the world also took off and the Nordic countries continued to be the focus of the market. Hannu Karjalainen, Asta Karjalainen and Erkki Myller were responsible for product design. In 1986, Markku Karjalainen started in the family business, where the older brothers Hannu and Pekka already worked. 

At the beginning of the 90s, we lived through difficult times, when a dark depression shook the entire furniture industry in Finland. The depression left its mark on the entire decade. At HT, we survived the stormy decade with our skins intact by renewing ourselves and investing in product development. In 1995, Markku Karjalainen took over the management of HT. 

In the 2000st century, globalization accelerated and production was increasingly moved abroad. However, it was important for us to keep our production in our country and maintain Finnish work. The importance of ecological values ​​in our operations was also emphasized. The beginning of the millennium brought with it an innovation that increased the service life of the sofa, when completely removable upholstery was launched alongside fixed upholstery. The removable, washable and replaceable covers proved to be a successful and well-liked product improvement right away, as they attracted a lot of interest from both buyers and other furniture manufacturers. 

Since the turn of the millennium, accelerated globalization and the transition of industry to developing markets have brought major changes and challenges to the domestic furniture industry. However, we have felt it is important to continue production at our own factory in Hollola. In this way, we can ensure the responsibility of our production process and the high quality of our products, as well as maintain Finnish expertise in furniture and woodcraft.

Links: