History
1890
ARTHUR HELLMAN BUYS FROM FRIITALA VILLAGE THE TÄHTINEN WORKSHOP. THE OPERATION GETS A GOOD START WITH THE ONLY 18 YEAR OLD ENTREPRENEUR AND VERY SOON HE STARTS HIRING MORE EMPLOYEES. A COUPLE YEARS LATER HE MARRIES HILMA KUUSINAINEN, WHO IS A COUPLE YEARS OLDER THAN THE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR. IN 1894 THE FAMILY OPENS A SHOP IN PORI, WHICH LATER BECOMES A SIGNIFICANT CHAIN OF SHOE STORES. IN 1896 A NEW FACTORY WITH MODERN MACHINESIS BUILT NEXT TO THE WORKSHOP.
1910
1917 ARTHUR HELLMAN CHANGES THE ENTITY TO A LIMITED COMPANY AND IN DECEMBER 12TH THE FIRST FOUNDING GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF FRIITALAN NAHKATEHDAS OY (FRIITALA LEATHER FACTORY LTD.)
1920
IN 1928 FRIITALA STARTS THE PRODUCTION OF MENS AND WOMENS LEATHER GARMENTS AND FURTHERMORE E.G. LEATHER SUITS AND FUR COATS FOR PILOTS, LEATHER PIECES FOR MILITARY, MOTORCYKLISTS AND OTHER SPORTSMEN.
1930
IN 1930 THE FRIITALA COLLECTION IS PRESENTD AT LEIBTZIG FASHION FAIR. 1931 FRIITALA MAKES THE UPHOLSTERY TO THE CHAIRS OF THE INDEPENDENT FINLAND'S PARLIAMENT. 1932 A SADDLE FOR THE SWEDISH CROWN PRINCE, WHO LATER BECOMES KING GUSTAV VI ADOLF IS PRODUCED AT THE FRIITALA FACTORY. 1936 THE NEW BIG "FUNKKIS STYLE" FACTORY IS COMPLETED. 1937 AFTER THE DEATH OF THE FOUNDER ARTHUR HELLMANN HIS SONS ARTTURI AND ARVI HELLEMAA TAKE OVER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE FACTORY.
1940
1939-1945 FTHE ENTIRE PRODUCTION IS CONSUMED BE THE FINNISH ARMY. 1947 THE DOMESTIC LAM BECOMES FREE FROM REGULATION, THE DEMAND EXCEEDS THE CAPACITY OF THE FACTORY AND THE FOLLOWING YEAR THE SALES GROWS BY 500%.
1950
THE EXPORTS STARTS AGAIN AFTER THE WORLD WAR II. FRIITALA STARTS TO PARTICIPATE IN TO INTERNATIONAL FAIRS.
1960
FRIITALA STARTS TO BUILD ITS OWN EXPORTS NETS TO SCANDINAVIA, EUROPE AND THE US. THE BRAND IS STRENGTHENED AND BUILT BY E.G. PR-TOURS FOR THE PRESS IN PARIS, LONDON, ZÜRICH, AMSTERDAM, VIENNA, COPENHAGEN, OSLO AND STOCKHOLM.
1970
THE CHAIRS OF FINLANDIA HOUSE DESIGNED BY ARCHITEKT ALVAR AALTO AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL THEATRE ARE UPHOLSTERED BY FRIITALA. ALSO THE CRUISE LINERS START USING FRIITALA LEATHER. PRESIDENT MAUNO KOIVISTO WITH HIS FAMILY HAS ALWAYS PROMOTED FINNISH LEATHER FASHION.
1970
THE WORLD FAMOUS MODEL AND THE STAR OF THE BLOW-UP MOVIE VERUSCHKA COMES TO FINLAND FOR FRIITALA PHOTOGRAPHING. 1976 JUKKA RINTALA GRADUATES FROM THE TAIDETEOLLINEN KORKEAKOULU (INSTITUTE OF FASHION) AND STARTS WORKING FOR FRIITALA AS A DESIGNER AND SOON TAKES OVER THE FASHION AS THE LEAD DESIGNER. THE PRICE PRESSURE FORCES FRIITALA TO CEASE TANNING.
1980
FRIITALA ENTERS THE HIGH-TECH AGE AND IS THE FIRST THE COMPANY IN THE WORLD TO ADOPT COMPUTER CONTROLLED WATER CUTTING SYSTEM. A WATER RESISTING WATERFREE-GARMENT LEATHER IS DEVELOPED IN FRIITALA
1990
MINISTER KIMMO SASI OPENS THE LEATHER MUSEUM SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF ULVILA TO THE OLD FACTORY BUILDING. FRIITALA'S STYLISH FACTORY SHOP IS OPENED NEXT TO THE MUSEUM. FRIITALA SHOP IS OPENED IN HELSINKI KÄMP GALLERY.
2000
FRIITALA BRINGS THE BONDED PRODUCTS TO THE MARKET. BONDING IS A PROCESS DEVELOPED BY FRIITALA WHEREBY TEXTILES AND LEATHER ARE COMBINED TO ONE SINGLE PRODUCT. IN 2001 FRIITALA'S HISTORIC COMMERCIAL VEHICLE RETURNS HOME FULLY RESTORED. IN 2006 AN OUTLET SHOP IS ESTABLISHED IN PALMROTH CENTER IN VIRRAT. IN 2006 THE LONGTERM HEAD DESIGNER JUKKA RINTALA IS AWARDED WITH PRO FINLANDIA MEDAL.
2010
FRIITALA CELEBRATES 120 YEARS ANNIVERSARY. FRIITALA COLLECTION IS RENEWED TO FOLLOW THE LAST FASHION TRENDS. NEW PRODUCTS: LEATHER JACKETS, BAGS AND FOOTWEAR. FRIITALA STORY CONTINUES ...
