The President of the Republic’s Internationalization Award is an annual recognition given to Finnish, internationally successful companies and communities for their meritorious activities that have benefited the Finnish economy and business life. In addition to Harvia, Lojer was awarded as the second growth company of the year and Supermetrics as the newcomer of the year. The awards were presented virtually this year with the President of the Republic participating in the event from the Presidential Palace’s own studio on November 29, 2020. The award was received by Harvia’s CEO Tapio Pajuharju and Chief shop steward Arto Liikanen.
“This year, we found three outstanding companies to be awarded the President of the Republic’s Internationalization Award. Harvia and its 70-year history are an excellent growth story of how a small Finnish stove manufacturer has developed into first a large stove manufacturer for the Finnish market and later the world market leader in stoves and finally the leading sauna and spa company in the world. This has required expertise, resilience, focus, and, above all, understanding of customers around the world. Personally, I remember from my own childhood how respected the brand Harvia was and still is.”
Founded in 1950, Harvia was listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange in 2018. The company still has a strong family business culture, and the family is involved as a shareholder. In 2020, Harvia Group’s net sales are expected to exceed EUR 90 million and the Group employs approximately 550 people in Finland, the USA, Germany, China, Estonia, Austria, and Romania. The company’s domestic production facilities and head office are located in Muurame, Central Finland. Despite the exceptional situation, the company’s growth has continued in 2020. Harvia takes holistically environmental considerations into account, from design to production, logistics, operation, and recycling. The products are made to be safe and long-lasting.
“This great recognition means a lot to us and I want to especially thank Harvia’s personnel who have determinately and systematically internationalized Harvia and made it one of the most well-known brands in the sauna and spa industry, Harvia has realized that 90% of the global sauna and spa market is outside Finland and internationalization requires long-term work. Today, about 75% of the company’s turnover comes from outside Finland. What is especially great is that this recognition comes on Harvia’s 70th anniversary year. Harvia has always been as close as possible to the market and our customers, and together we will humbly continue to implement the cornerstones of our strategy, focusing on geographical expansion, increasing the value of the average purchase and continuously improving productivity.”
The Internationalization Award of the President of the Republic (known as the President’s Export Award up to the year 1999) was founded on the initiative of the Association for Finnish Work in 1967.