en
fi
svOur story
Vieskan Elementti specialises in hall construction and is a pioneer in timber-structured halls. Since 1968, we have built thousands of halls across Finland and the Nordic countries. We focus on what we do best: functional and durable halls that are well suited to a wide range of uses.
We build facilities for customers who need practical solutions for everyday operations. Our customers include agricultural operators, industrial companies, logistics providers, and companies in the defence and mining industries.
What matters most to us is that the building works in use. A good hall is not just about design — it is about practical functionality every day.
How our halls are built
Our structures are based on elements manufactured in dry and controlled factory conditions. This ensures consistent quality and reduces the risks associated with construction.
When less work is carried out on site and most of the work is done at the factory, the overall process becomes faster and easier to manage.
Our approach
We do not build impressive solutions just for the sake of appearance. We build spaces that work.
In Alavieska, the way we work is straightforward and practical. We focus on making sure the customer gets a building that withstands use and functions without anything unnecessary.
Our customers include:
construction companies
building contractors
agricultural operators
industrial companies
logistics and transport companies
the defence industry
the mining and energy industries
Our mission:
We build a sustainable future with an impact greater than ourselves.
Our vision:
We are one of Finland’s leading element manufacturers and the first company customers think of when they need solutions for element-based construction. We run a profitable business, deliver results and invest in the future. At the same time, we are the world’s most pleasant workplace for our employees.
Our values:
We work together
We work with professionalism
We take pride in what we do
History
The history of Vieskan Elementti:
The origins of Vieskan Elementti are a story of community spirit and working together toward a common goal. It is a story from a time when migration from rural areas threatened the future of Finnish countryside municipalities — and when even Pappa-Tunturi mopeds played their own part in the history of business in Alavieska.
In Finland, internal migration in the 1960s drew people away from rural areas to the growing centres of the south, to neighbouring Sweden and to the United States, where more labour was needed. Alavieska was not spared from this change, which shook society as a whole.
However, the people of the municipality did not simply stand by and watch as young people moved away to study and work elsewhere, often never returning. The idea of an element factory was born: a place where building walls would be manufactured in a completely new way, indoors on production tables. The manufacture of timber elements would bring much-needed industrial jobs to Alavieska.
The decisive conversation took place in 1967 between Kalevi Oksanen, the municipal building master of Alavieska at the time, and carpenter Veikko Kiimamaa. Also active in the important early-stage “driving force” roles was Eino Kauranen, who was later chosen as the first managing director of Vieskan Elementti and, as a construction entrepreneur, had a strong understanding of building.
Shares were sold door to door
The municipality of Alavieska joined the effort by donating the Eteläranta school with its plot, as well as the old village school in the church village. The old school was dismantled, and its logs were used to build the support structures for the first hall. Those structures are still in place today. Some minor height adjustments have had to be made because of overhead cranes, but the original structures remain.
However, this was still not enough — money was also needed. Funds were raised through a share issue aimed at local residents. In the summer of 1967, the driving forces behind the project travelled actively from house to house on their Pappa-Tunturi mopeds, not forgetting local businesses either. A true people’s movement was born: by subscribing for shares, the people of Alavieska could help secure jobs and livelihoods for familiar people in their own municipality.
And the shares sold. In October 1967, the Kalajokilaakso newspaper reported that the founding meeting of Vieskan Elementti Oy could soon be held, as all 500 shares were close to being sold. One share cost 200 Finnish marks, and in the end around half of the families in Alavieska, as well as almost all local businesses, subscribed for shares. Most of the shares were sold in Alavieska, but some also went to Kalajoki, Rautio and other neighbouring municipalities. In addition to private individuals, the municipality became a major shareholder, and based on newspaper reports, nearly all local entrepreneurs also joined the project.
Because the self-financing was arranged through the joint efforts of the residents and the municipality, the investment also received state support under regional development legislation. The company was entered into the Trade Register on 12 January 1968.
A race for ownership
In 1988, a chain of events began behind the scenes at Vieskan Elementti that brought the company’s ownership into focus. A buyer appeared for the shares, with the aim of making Vieskan Elementti part of its existing business operations.
Opinions among Vieskan Elementti shareholders were divided. Some considered the idea a good one, while others believed the buyer simply wanted to remove a competitor from the market.
At the following general meeting, those in favour of the acquisition gained the majority and elected a board consisting mainly of members who supported the sale. The board then called an extraordinary general meeting, where the deal was intended to be finalised.
As those supporting the acquisition collected proxies for the extraordinary general meeting, the opposing side also began gathering them in earnest. A fierce race began. The party attempting the takeover eventually gained control of a significant number of Vieskan Elementti shares, but not enough to secure a majority at the general meeting.
As a result, the general meeting reinstated the so-called old board. In the new situation, however, the board had to buy the Vieskan Elementti shares back from the party attempting the takeover — at a high price.
Entrepreneur Award in recognition of employment
After the dust had settled following the attempted takeover, it was time to celebrate again when Vieskan Elementti was awarded the Alavieska Entrepreneur Award in 1990. In the award justifications, the company was praised for creating employment and enhancing Finland’s image.
Vieskan Elementti had manufactured small elements from the very beginning, but two years after receiving the Entrepreneur Award, the company also began producing large elements. Once again, the company founded by the people of Alavieska acted as a pioneer, as the manufacture of large elements was also a new innovation in the industry at the time.
From the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, the Finnish economy went through difficult times. Vieskan Elementti sought replacement markets by starting exports to Germany, Spain, Japan, Norway and Sweden.
In its 50th anniversary year, Vieskan Elementti sought an even stronger position in the market. The company launched an extensive development project to improve production efficiency and strengthen sales. In addition, the company began implementing a Finnish enterprise resource planning system developed for the construction industry. The company’s turnover had risen to around EUR 7 million, and it employed 50 people.
A new era of customer segmentation
In the early 2010s, the Vieskatalo brand began to be developed more strongly, and Vieskan Elementti became profiled as a builder of move-in-ready residential buildings. Hall construction continued on a smaller scale under the “Pomo Hallit” product brand. Dealers included Lantmännen Agro, Hankkija and a few other operators in the field. Vieskatalo was sold through an extensive dealer network.
The company’s operations began to turn unprofitable, and the strong cash position built up in previous years helped carry the company through the loss-making years that followed. New openings in area development were also tested from time to time, but these remained one-off projects.
A new era
A new era can be said to have begun in 2023, when the company returned to its roots. The Vieskatalo product brand was discontinued, and the Vieskan Elementti brand was brought back into people’s awareness. By this stage, consumer sales of detached houses accounted for only a fraction of turnover, while 50% came from projects for construction companies and from hall construction, where customers included industrial companies, agricultural operators and the public sector.
The company’s current main owners also became involved in the business, as Tomi Poutiainen was hired as Sales Director and Sami Katajala as Procurement Manager. Due to the losses of previous years, the company was in a deep crisis and fighting for its existence.
The turning point came at the end of 2025, when a directed share issue was arranged and a company owned by Tomi and Sami acquired a 93% ownership stake in Vieskan Elementti.
“We made major cuts and focused on what we are the best at in Finland.”
This gave rise to the idea of focusing strongly on hall construction and raising the level of both turnover and development. The online store was opened in early 2026, and the future goal is to expand exports beyond Finland.
Today, Vieskan Elementti is Finland’s most experienced manufacturer of timber-structured halls.
