From a one-man metal lathing shop to an international leader in hydraulics

The story of Hydroline started back in the 1960s when Helge Laakkonen founded his own metal lathing shop. Today that one-man lathing shop that used to be located in the basement, is one of Finland’s largest hydraulics manufacturers and one of the most advanced operators in the industry at an international level. We are over “60 years young” and proud of it.

OUR FACTS

1960s

  • 1962 Helge Laakkonen founds metal lathing shop, Metallisorvaamo H. Laakkonen
  • The company is located in the basement of a house in Kuopio with 1 employee
  • The company hires its first employee at the end of 1960s

1970s

  • 1970 The company moves to a larger facility; production space: approximately 3,200 ft²
  • First hydraulic cylinders are manufactured, increased outsourcing of machining
  • Establishment as a sole-proprietorship: Metallisorvaamo H. Laakkonen Ky
  • Pekka Laakkonen, Helge’s son, joins the company as a full-time employee
  • 1979 Introduction of the first CNC lathe in the economic area
  • Approximately 10 employees by the end of the 1970s

1980s

  • Staff increases from 10 to 15 employees
  • Ake Hiltunen is hired as the company’s first engineer
  • 1981 Pekka Laakkonen appointed Managing Director
  • 1982 Second CNC Lathe brought on line
  • 1984 Move to Siilinjärvi town of Vuorela; production space: approximately 21,500ft²
  • Over 20 employees by the end of the 1980s

1990s

  • 1990 Vuorela facility expanded, production space doubled in size
  • 1994 Turnover approximately FIM 12 million
  • First robots introduced; machine base developed and automated
  • Structure change and the company name is changed to Hydroline Oy
  • Number of employees increases from 25 to approximately 60

2000s

  • Turnover increases from EUR 6 million to EUR 32 million and staff from 60 to over 200 employees
  • Annual growth over 100%
  • Hydroline becomes Finland’s largest hydraulic cylinder manufacturer and has one of the most advanced plants in the industry in Europe
  • Cylinder production and the company’s proprietary smart concept are developed, automation is continued, and facilities are expanded
  • 2007 Jukka Laakkonen appointed Managing Director, Pekka Laakkonen Chairman of the Board
  • 2009 Facilities expanded significantly to over 130,000 ft²

2010-2012

  • Growth sought on the international market
  • 2011 Smart product concept customer projects launched
  • 2012 Company established in Poland and plans for the production facility begun
  • Vuorela plant production enjoys significant growth

2013-2020

  • Building a genuinely international corporation, with operations in different market areas
  • Production develops on new markets (Eastern Europe, Asia)
  • Vuorela plant becomes the leading flagship plant
  • The Hydroline brand developing extensively
  • Major investments in the smart hydraulics concept and continuing development
  • 2018 a new expansion part completed to Vuorela factory
  • 2019 New factory built to Stargard, Poland
  • 2019 New fully automated manufacturing line, Value Stream 1, is opened