A new Managing Director for Kalevala Koru
- New jewelry products also raising interest in Asia
Effective from the beginning of February, Riitta Huuhtanen (50), M.Sc.(Econ), has been named as the new Managing Director of Kalevala Koru and its subsidiary, Lapponia Jewelry. Ms Huuhtanen has worked as the company’s Sales and Marketing Director since 2005 and knows both company brands very well. She is preceded by Laura Lares, D.Sc. (Tech.), who will go on to become the Managing Director of her own consultation, training and communications company.
Riitta Huuhtanen has extensive experience in both retail and wholesale, exports, as well as design and marketing communications. She has previously served as the Development Director of Design Forum Finland and the Marketing Director of MK-Tresmer Oy.
- Leading Kalevala Koru and Lapponia is a great opportunity, and one which I gladly accept. The company has developed systematically for the last few years and both brands are keenly aware of the times. Their strengths lie in strong design, recognisability and the respect they enjoy among jewelry wearers. The last six years I have spent in development work provide a natural direction for my new tasks. We will continue to build innovative business models that respect our customers and enhance the originality of our company, Riitta Huuhtanen sums up.
- The recruitment process for a new Managing Director was extensive, says Laura Oja, Chairperson of the Board.
- We received numerous applications as a response to external, internal and direct searches, and were lucky to be able to choose the best person for the job from an extensive and highly competent range of applicants. I believe Riitta Huuhtanen is the right person to take the company forward, following the strong development we experienced with Laura Lares.
An internationalised company
Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Kalevala Koru has always been a strong player in the Finnish jewelry industry; the company is the most noted company in its field and also one of Finland’s most valued brands.
As a result of acquiring Lapponia Jewelry in 2005, Kalevala Koru has become a truly international corporation. Lapponia Jewelry, which is the world’s best known Finnish jewelry manufacturer outside Finland, has always been first and foremost an export company, whose products are sold all over the globe. Lapponia Jewelry has been successful in building on the foundation of its revolutionary approach to art jewelry, which astonished the public in the 1960s. Today, the company employs not only established artists such as the highly creative Björn Weckström, but also young designers such as Chao Hsien-Kuo and Mari Isopahkala, who have just recently made a breakthrough in the international market.
Currently, Asia is considered the most promising growth area for both of the company’s jewelry lines. Japan is already a well-known market segment for the company, and recently interest in its products has been rising in South Korea. The company is also developing e-commerce as an international distribution channel.
- The domestic market remains, of course, vital to us. However, it’s clear nowadays that one must keep a close eye on exports as well. We are very glad to be the biggest jewelry maker in the Nordic countries– and keeping all production in Finland is a central tenet for us, says Ms Huuhtanen, who knows the company and its potential well.
Finnish goldsmithery – a national treasure
Back in the day when Fabergé produced its world-renowned eggs in Russia, many of the artisans were in fact Finnish. After the revolution these artisans brought their extensive expertise over to Finland as well. This expertise was passed on in the only way possible: from master to apprentice – and this tradition has persevered in Finland to this day.
- One could say that Finnish goldsmithery know-how is exceptional; as in many other fields, simply concentrating goldsmithery expertise has opened the way for modern operations and brands. Modern goldsmiths receive a thorough education in various design institutions, from the Lahti Institute of Design to the Aalto University School of Art and Design. This tradition is also greatly appreciated at Kalevala Koru and Lapponia, which employ over 200 experts, Riitta Huuhtanen enthuses. When you consider the fact that Kalevala Koru also employs Kirsti Doukas and Marja Suna, two of the brightest names in Finnish jewelry design, you can see that our current prospects are very bright indeed!
Additional information
Riitta Huuhtanen, Managing Director effective 1 February 2012, tel. +358 50 533 1859, riitta.huuhtanen@kalevalakoru.fi
Laura Lares, Managing Director, tel. +358 207 611 399, laura.lares@kalevalakoru.fi
For images that can be used in related articles, visit http://www.akvamariini.fi/kalevalakorumedia.
Kalevala Koru Oy and Lapponia Jewelry Oy form a jewelry- group which is the biggest company in its field in Finland and one of the largest jewelry groups in Northern Europe.The group’s net sales total approx. EUR 22 millionand it employs some 200 people. The company’s main office and production facilities are located in Pitäjänmäki, Helsinki.Both jewelry lines are based on recognizable and ambitious design.All the company’s jewelry is manufactured in Finland and sold by authorized jewelry shops and department stores.In addition to Finland, the company’s main market areas consist of Scandinavia, Germany, Benelux and Japan.