The story of Kavika.
Founders Kallio, Virtanen and Kavonius
In May 1945, during the post-war reconstruction period, Kallio, Virtanen and Kavonius founded Kavika. With materials scarce, the entrepreneurs made household essentials such as milk buckets, candlesticks and children’s bobble guns from scrap tin.
In the 1950s, stainless steel arrived in Finland, and Kavika was among the first to produce household sink units. From the very beginning, production focused on customized solutions, which still guides our activities today. Today, stainless steel bends into many forms for us, such as professional kitchen furniture, sinks and buffet lines – always according to our customers’ needs.
Founders Kallio, Virtanen and Kavonius
During the reconstruction of war-torn Finland, in May 1945, three entrepreneurs founded Kavika. Materials did not amount to much at that time, but sheet metal waste, tinplate and black sheet metal were used to produce important household commodities, such as milk buckets and candlesticks, as well as cap guns for children.
In the early 50s, stainless steel was brought to Finland and Kavika delivered the first kitchen sinks to households. As a technical virtuoso, Kallio developed his own tools for production, such as his own traction devices for sinks. However, the owners decided to focus on tailoring products instead of mass manufacturing.
Strong growth in public healthcare
In the 60s and 70s, Finland put intense effort in building public healthcare – hospitals and health centres. Kavonius listened attentively to customers’ needs and, together with Kallio, developed products and production tools for this rapidly growing sector. During this period, contacts were established with all central hospitals, health centres and universities.
Helsinki shipyard
The 80s were a golden age. The Helsinki shipyard started with passenger ships and soon switched to cruise ships. The operating models, tailoring, material handling skills and strict quality criteria developed in response to the needs of the healthcare sector made Kavika its royal purveyor.
Kavika expanded, and in the early 90s, a new production hall was built at Linjatie in Vantaa. With effort, Kavika survived the recession and rose to new growth as shipbuilding picked up again. After record years, 2001 saw the collapse of the shipping market as the largest customer moved its purchases to Eastern Europe.
Change of entrepreneur family
In 2004, the owners began to age, and even though the business had grown well, it was time to make decisions. The company was acquired in 2007 by Jouni Lievonen. The plans of the well-growing company changed again when the world collapsed due to recession in 2009. The new owner steered the company through tough times, and in 2010, Kavika moved from Vantaa to Järvenpää.
Business expands and becomes more international
The international cruise ship business grew in 2010–2020, albeit with fluctuations.
The healthcare product range also expanded, and Kavika continued its tradition of close cooperation with customers. Before and after the 2020s, hospital construction grew strongly in Finland and the other Nordic countries. In addition to the domestic market, investments were made in exports, and the company won its first significant projects in the Nordic countries. The partner network expanded, and interesting new segments were opened in Norwegian shipyards that needed Kavika’s kitchen and restaurant furniture and fixtures, and later laboratories, first aid stations and storage solutions.
Kavika’s business expanded through acquisitions – Kailin Oy (2010), Kurasyöppö business (2010), Malmi Steel Oy (2016), Stemet Oy (2018), JVS Steel Oy (2018).
Kavika HealthCare Oy was founded in October 2021.
