COMPANY STORY
Helsingin Kumi Oy - Specializing in sustainable growth
In 1951, as post-war Finland was rapidly developing, there was a great demand for strategic materials such as rubber. That demand, combined with Nikola's family's expertise and desire to develop, led to Helsingin Kumi Oyto the birth of.
The Nikolas laid the foundation for a company that would serve industry and society for decades. Ismo, who grew up in an entrepreneurial family and spent much of his youth on the company's premises, took over the reins of the company after his father. Under his leadership Helsingin Kumi not only adapted to the spirit of the times but also thrived in it. Development came from Ismo as a bloodline, but commercial higher education also had a significant impact on the length and agility of the growth steps.
In the company's early years, as well as today, providing fast and cost-effective solutions to customer problems was the key to success. Helsingin Kumi quickly rose to the top vantage point in Finnish industry.
Over the years, the industry experienced perhaps its biggest changes when large chains realized the importance of the rubber business to their customers and began to buy up private rubber stores for themselves, integrating them into their own business. However, this began the disappearance of true rubber materials expertise and tacit knowledge from the market, and at the same time the growth of general product sales to the chains.
Helsingin Kumi decided to continue specializing in rubber products, thus responding to the ever-increasing demand. This decision proved to be exactly the right one, as through specialization and competence development, the company continued its rapid growth and at the same time developed its staff into rubber product specialists, which also led to increased profitability.
From the beginning, the company's operations have been guided by clear principles, such as networking, outsourcing the right things, and global trading.
Long-term and deep business relationships, especially in Europe and Asia, have been the cornerstones of Helsingin Kumi's competitiveness. A deep understanding of rubber production technology enabled the development of a product range specifically to meet the needs of Finnish industry and with the right partners whose machinery was suitable for it.
The last major turning point in the company's history was the decision to sell the company. For Momentum Group End of 2023. Momentum Group's decision to purchase Helsingin Kumi was easy and quick, thanks to its specialization in rubber products and profitable growth.
Ismo felt that continuity of business operations was particularly important and wanted to guarantee the best possible conditions for his staff in the future. He believed that the “bigger shoulders” brought by Momentum Group would provide the best future for the company, without being “forced” into chain-like operations.
When asked what has been the most rewarding part of running a company, Ismo singles out the staff. He emphasizes that it is the collective effort of everyone, rather than just one person, that has made the company successful. This sense of collaboration and community has been Ismo's greatest asset in running a company.
Helsingin Kumi OyThe story of is a story of consistency, development and the power of cooperation. The company's journey from post-war Finland to today's rubber products specialist is a great example of how vision, principles and cooperation can shape a small family business into a successful operator even in a fairly narrow product segment.