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History

Finlayson Oy History

James Finlayson, a Scottish machine engineer, established a cotton mill in Tampere in the Grand Duchy of Finland in 1820. James Finlayson sold the mill having run it for 16 years. One of the terms and conditions of the sale was that the Finlayson name would be retained.

The industrial weaving of cotton fabrics began. Worker housing was built and a school was founded in conjunction with the cotton mill, followed by a sickness fund, a hospital, a library and a church. Finlayson's cotton mill opened the first savings bank and a cooperative in Tampere.

In the 1860s, Finlayson employed half the population of Tampere. The cotton mill was the first employer in Finland to offerial worial worial worial worial wor industrial work also to women. Finlayson's high quality products received several awards at international exhibitions.

Plevna, the largest weaving room in the Nordic countries was completed in 1877. The first electric lights in Scandinavia were first switched on in Plevna. The mill had 3279 employees in 1897: 1088 men, 1900 women and 291 children.

Newspapers in the early 1900s often featured Finlayson advertisements. There was a wide range of fabrics available including pyjama fabrics, shirt flannels, apron fabrics and moleskins. Also mattress fabrics have been woven industrially since the end of the 19th century.

Designed by architect Bertel Strömmer, the shop in association with Finlayson's cotton mill has been on Kuninkaankatu street. Interior designer Kristiina Mäkelä is responsible for the shop's current interior decoration.

PMK, or the Finnish cotton mills' joint sales office was founded. PMK's advertising campaigns could be seen in magazines, shop windows and in outdoor advertising. Finlayson & Co. acquired a majority stake in Forssan Oy. Subsequent to a merger, the company became Oy Finlayson- Forssa Ab.

Right up until the 1950s, the models for printed textile patterns were bought from abroad. <br />
In 1951, a studio was founded at Finlayson's Forssa mill which also hired its first designers who had received art training. Finlayson merged with Vaasan Puuvilla Oy.

Ready-made sheets were decorated with embroidery, printed patterns or woven edges. Finlayson made its first duvet covers and they were called sleeping bags or cover bags.

Bright colours such as pea green, yellow, orange, brown and bold printed fabric patterns were popular. <br />
Arja Mattila designed Finlayson's Heart pattern which were printed over a million metres. Finlayson merged with Porin Puuvilla Oy

Finlayson launched its Finla range. Finlayson's home design textiles began to be designed in sets, with duvet covers, terry towels and curtain materials matching in both colour and pattern. Finlayson became part of the Asko Group.

In 2001 Finlayson is acquired by Espe Group Oy. As a result of corporate arrangements within Espe Group Oy, Finlayson Oy's range of products has also included Familon duvet covers, pillows and mattresses since 2004.

The first Finlayson concept-store was opened in Helsinki in Kamppi Centre. Finlayson also opened its Flagship concept-store in Helsinki at Eteläesplanadi. Finlayson launched its bed collection.

Finlayson's ten stores cover the whole of Finland as its online shop opens up. Finlayson is still renowned for quality, cotton bed linens, terry towels, fabrics and beds.

Finlayson is launching the premium J.F. by Finlayson collection, which includes classic, stylish home textiles made from pure, high quality materials.

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