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  • Lapuan Kankurit shop-in-shop Tampere
  • Lapuan Kankurit shop-in-shop Tampere

LAPUAN KANKURIT OPENS A SHOP-IN-SHOP IN TAMPERE'S VERKARANTA

Lapuan Kankurit Opens a Shop-In-Shop in Tampere’s Verkaranta!

The roots of the picturesque Crafts Centre Verkaranta reach deep into the depths of the Finnish textile industry: the space once hosted the dye house of Tampere’s baize factory, which opened in 1858.

Tampere and its craftspeople have long been a part of Lapuan Kankurit’s woven journey, and now the shared voyage continues: we are opening a shop-in-shop in the newly renovated space of Taito Shop Tampere!

Our spinning mill’s carding machine originates from this very same baize factory, and that is not our only heritage from Tampere. Lapuan Kankurit’s Jaana and Esko Hjelt studied in Tampere, and to celebrate graduation one power loom from Plevna found its way back to Lapua in the moving van, as well.

All in all, Tampere is a dear old friend to us, and so are the people of Taito Shop Tampere and Taito Pirkanmaa. We are overjoyed to get to continue our long-lasting collaboration surrounded by such rich textile history.

Our Tampere shop-in-shop opens its doors on 12.3.2024 at Vuolteentori 2, 33100 Tampere. Open: Mon-Fri 10-18, Sat 10-16. Welcome!

  • Lapuan Kankurit Akira Minagawa
  • Lapuan Kankurit mina perhonen
  • Lapuan Kankurit mina perhonen

LAPUAN KANKURIT x minä perhonen COLLECTION LAUNCHES AT THE MAISON&OBJET FAIR

We are proud to launch our collection with the Japanese designer Akira Minagawa, founder of design brand minä perhonen, at the Maison&Objet Fair on the 18th of January, 2024. The collection features two designs called METSÄLAMPI (“forest pond”) and KESÄKUKKA (“summer flower”). Both designs are available as towels and blankets.

The style of Akira Minagawa, the mastermind behind the minä perhonen brand, is often described with words such as romantic, naïve and imaginative. Akira himself doesn’t submit to a particular style – to him, everything starts with his own memories, which he wishes to bring to life.

– I create with the feeling that I am bringing the fantasies in my mind out of my hands and into the real world.

Jaana Hjelt, the co-owner of Lapuan Kankurit, has admired the Japanese designer for years.

– As soon as we picked playfulness as our theme for the coming spring, minä perhonen came to my mind. His style fits the theme perfectly with its cheery and colourful tones – it’s exactly what the world could use more of right now.

The new designs, METSÄLAMPI and KESÄKUKKA, are just that: whimsical designs full of colour and joy. The METSÄLAMPI design represents the Finnish landscape with its bountiful forests, mountains and bodies of water. The gorgeous KESÄKUKKA design is a testament to Akira’s wondrously vivid imagination, featuring an imaginary flower he painted while picturing it blooming casually and happily on the streets of Finland.

Both Akira and Jaana are happy with the collaboration.

– Good things cannot be created without trusting each other through empathy and respect. These are the two important elements that have allowed us to quickly become comfortable with each other and trust each other. That makes me happy, Akira says.

Jaana’s answer echoes with the same sentiments.

– We immediately felt a kinship with Akira, seeing how incredibly passionate he is about his work. As he said so himself after our first meeting: it feels like we’ve been friends for a long time already. We are all so grateful to be able to launch this gorgeous collection in Paris, and hope that the collection will keep growing in the future.

The Maison&Objet exhibition takes place 18.–22.1. 2024 in Paris.
You can find Lapuan Kankurit in Hall 5A, stand D33.

  • Lapuan Kankurit JUHANNUS balnket 100x150 cm white-woad

DYEING WITH COFFEE AND WOAD

Lapuan Kankurit sources the Finnsheep wool fibre, utilized in their wool yarns, locally. The yarn made from this fibre is spun to be either natural brown or beige, and some are dyed further.

The Finnsheep wool is also dyed in the Lappajärvi Dyeing Mill, either blue from plant dyes extracted from woad or yellow with coffee. The coffee waste used in the dyeing process comes from Paulig’s roastery in Vuosaari. The waste is a by-product of coffee production, and finds new purpose through Natural Indigo, a Finnish company which utilizes the waste to produce natural dyes. Nearly all of Paulig’s waste is recycled to other purposes.

The KAAMOS and JUHANNUS wool blankets, designed by Hanna Galtat and dyed with coffee and woad, are available in our stores and online! The blankets are woven and finished in Lapua, and are available in two sizes: 150x200 cm and 100x150 cm.

  • Lapuan Kankurit x Sees
  • Lapuan Kankurit x Sees

LAPUAN KANKURIT JA SEES PAKETOIVAT YHDESSÄ VASTUULLISET YRITYS- JA JOULULAHJAT

Lapuan Kankurit ja SEES  jakavat samat arvot: vastuullinen, suomalainen ja jäljitettävä tuotanto, ekologiset raaka-aineet. Tänä vuonna lahjaksi kääritään yhdessä tuotepaketit, joiden sisältö on kotimaista, kaunista ja kestävästi tuotettua.

"Haluamme tarjota ihania hyvän olon tuotteita ekologisista raaka-aineista, arjen luksusta rentouttaviin kylpy- ja saunahetkiin. Valmiiksi pakattu lahja on yrityksille helppo ratkaisu ja samalla voi olla varma siitä, että tukee kotimaista työtä,"  tiivistää Lapuan Kankureiden Jaana Hjelt yhteistyöstä.

"Lahjan sisältö kertoo myös antajastaan. Kestävästi tuotettu kotimainen paketti on toivottavasti monen yrityksen lähtökohta tänäkin vuonna. Tämä yhteistyö on meille luonteva, sillä arvot ja läpinäkyvyys on molemmilla yrityksillä dna:ssa", sanoo SEESin toimitusjohtaja Elisa Koivumaa.

Sauna- ja kylpyhetkiin sopivat tuotepaketit on koottu kolmeen erikokoiseen, valmiiksi pakattuun lahjarasiaan. Jokaisesta alusta loppuun vastuullisesti  tuotetusta paketista löytyy Lapuan Kankureiden pellavapyyhe ja SEESin biohajoava ja luonnonkosmetiikkastandardit täyttävä saippua- tai kosmetiikkatuote. 

Valmiiksi pakatut lahjaideat:
Paketti S: Käsipyyhe ja käsisaippua
Paketti M: Kylpypyyhe, käsisaippua ja käsi- ja vartalovoide
Paketti L: Jättipyyhe, käsisaippua, käsi- ja vartalovoide ja suihkusaippua

Tuotepaketteja voidaan räätälöidä myös yrityksen omien toiveiden mukaan. Tarjolla on laaja valikoima eri kokoisia, kuosisia ja värisiä pellavatuotteita sekä luonnonkosmetiikkaa. 

Tarjouspyynnöt ja lisätiedot:
info@lapuankankurit.fi

  • Lapuan Kankurit KAAMOS blanket white-olive and white-natures brown
  • Lapuan Kankurit TAITO towel linen-green-grey and linen-blue-brown
  • Lapuan Kankurit KOODI blankets

SEE YOU AT THE FAIR!

Autumn is soon here, and we want to invite you along for the coming adventures. Our Finnsheep wool collection, designed by Hanna Galtat, is finished. The JUHANNUS blanket found its inspiration in the two turning points for daylight, the shortest and longest days of the year, between which light increases and decreases. The KAAMOS blanket, in turn, depicts the daily cycle of light and dark.

Our work with utilizing plant dyes in our industrial process has taken steps forward. In fact, you can discover plant dyed products in our autumn collection.

We are also overjoyed to announce our collaboration with The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation. Together with the designer Marianne Huotari we have created the SUON ÄÄNI (“the voice of the mire” in Finnish) tea towel collection. Part of the proceeds from the collection will be directed towards protecting the Finnish mires. The designs – HIPAISU (“caress”), LÄHTEIKKÖ (“spring fen”) and MUURAIN (“cloudberry”) – and the colours of the collection do not only aim to evoke the imagery of the mires, but to also encourage bold and loud discourse on the behalf of them.

On top of that, it is our great honour to welcome designers Samu-Jussi Koski and Elisa Defozzes in our midst. Samu-Jussi’s collection, inspired by the city of Helsinki, includes the TÖÖLÖ woollen blankets and scarves as well as the HIETSU linen towels. The collection will expand later in 2023 with MERIHAKA and KAAPELITEHDAS bath textiles.

The TAITO towels and sauna covers, designed by Elisa Defozzes, were inspired by observing nature. Elisa wanted to depict the passing of time, the evolution of colours and the changing of seasons with the alternating patterns.

We want to bring colour and beauty to the coming autumn and winter together with our new and familiar designers. For our latest collection Elina Helenius, a member of our design team, conceived joyful and colourful new linen and woollen products called KOODI (“code”), RINNE (“slope”), TOFFEE and TUPLA (“double”).

Besides these gorgeous new products, our design team also expanded our collection with soft woollen blankets called CAMP, PUNOS (“twine”), NOKOSET (“a nap”) and HYVÄÄ YÖTÄ (“good night”) as well as the Finnsheep woollen ARVO. Reetta Ek’s magnificent MEHILÄISPESÄ (“beehive”) design will be brought back into production as a softly tufted woollen blanket. The JÄKÄLÄ hot water bottle will be produced with zero waste principle from surplus fabric.

Our linen collection will also welcome some newcomers: the LAINA and TOIVO sauna covers and sauna pillows, as well as Teemu Järvi’s HAVU (“sprig”) tablerunner and placemat will set the ambiance for autumn.

Furthermore, the following favourite products will be available in new colours: KISSANPÄIVÄT, KOIRAPUISTO, DUO, AAMU, UNI, TULITIKKU, NAISTEN SAUNA, MIESTEN SAUNA and ELÄINTEN SAUNA.

 

You'll find us at the following trade fairs:

Trendset, Munich A2 F37
15.-17.7.2023
Maison & Objet, Paris Hall 5A D65
7.-11.9.2023
Habitare, Helsinki 6 B 48
13.-17.9.2023

  • KUDOTTU MATKA -JUHLANÄYTTELY

WOVEN JOURNEY EXHIBITION

It’s the 50th anniversary of Lapuan Kankurit. 50 years filled with exultant joys, heart-breaking hardships, remarkable friendships, bold breakthroughs, beautiful designs – 50 years filled with more memories than a mind could possibly hold. Our family’s journey in the world of textiles began all the way back in 1917 with Esko’s great-grandfather Juho Annala, who founded a felt boot factory in Lapua and subsequently laid the groundwork for the founding of Lapuan Kankurit in 1973. The past is the cornerstone on which we ground our work and our mission. And it’s from this ground up we peer over the horizon to feel the fresh wind blowing in our faces. The journey continues, and we would love for you to join us.

LAPUAN KANKURIT - WOVEN JOURNEY EXHIBITION
16.6.–9.9.2023 LAPUAN TAIDEMUSEO
OPENING HOURS TUE-FRI 11-17, SAT 11-15

  • Lapuan Kankurit Myyntipäivät

SALES DAYS IN OUR WEAVING MILL 2.-3.8.2024 – THE MOST ANTICIPATED EVENT OF THE SUMMER

Our weaving mill will once again be filled with the joy of reunion and shopping at the beginning of August. We will be hosting the long-awaited Sales Days live in our weaving mill in Lapua!

Sales Days in our weaving mill in Lapua on Friday 2.8.2024 from 9am to 7 pm and on Saturday, 3.8.2024 from 9am to 5 pm!

We will be offering a wide selection of sample pieces, leftovers, II-quality items, special products woven from surplus yarn, meterware and swatches – all equipped with delightfully affordable price tags!

This time the event won’t be held online, and instead you’ll have a chance to come discover one-of-a-kind treasures in Lapua!

While you’re in Lapua, we recommend you visit our Outlet in The Cultural Centre Vanha Paukku as well as the Lapua Art Museum and Cultural Center Vanha Paukku.

During our Sales Days we are offering our regularly priced selection for -20 % in our Lapua Outlet and Helsinki Store.

 

12.3.2024

  • Lapuan Kankurit viimeistelylaitos 2022
  • Lapuan Kankurit viimeistelylaitos 2022

Want to become a Lapuan Kankurit pioneer?

We are currently testing our brand new finishing plant, and we’d like to invite you along for the journey. Now is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy an entirely unique piece of Lapuan Kankurit craftsmanship in the form of a cosy woollen blanket. Every pilot product batch is one-of-a-kind and can come in varying sizes, weaves and finishes.

Pilot blanket batches are now available with SPECIAL PRICES in our Helsinki Store and Lapua Outlet as well as online as long as supplies last. The selection may wary.

All of the products are a part of our ongoing production trials in Lapua. The pilot products are made from certified Wool Integrity NZ fibre, Finnsheep fibre as well as mixed fibres and with different colours, melange yarns, plant dye tests and various patterns. These pilot blankets will help shape an upcoming Lapuan Kankurit collection, to be released in 2023.

Join us in envisioning the future of Lapuan Kankurit products.

8.12.2022

  • KAsvivärjäys Lapuan KAnkurit
  • Suomenlammas Lapuan Kankurit

Natural dyes put finishing touch to sustainable production

Dyeing with natural, plant-based dyes is a long-time Finnish textile tradition. However, apart from traditional knowhow, industrial-scale natural dyeing also requires production development such as new recipes and creating a whole new dyeing process. Lapuan Kankurit is ready to face the challenge of the industrial use of natural dyes.

Lapuan Kankurit is aiming to include the usage of natural dyes as a part of their production cycle. CEO Esko Hjelt says that using natural dyes strengthens the sustainable thinking at Lapuan Kankurit. In addition to plants such as woad, surplus from the food industry, like onion skins, can also be used for dyeing. 

– We want our production chain to be as natural and organic as possible. Using natural, Finnish dyes is one step towards this goal. The process will, however, take time to implement: at first the natural dyes will primarily be used in a few of the upcoming Finn sheep wool products. The natural dyes will be developed in cooperation with the plant dye supplier Natural Indigo Finland. The recipes have been developed with Riikka Räisänen, docent at University of Helsinki, and Eeva Piesala from Piiku Oy, who has a long expertise in Finn sheep wool dyeing. She has made the actual dyeing trials for Lapuan Kankurit.

Riikka Räisänen, who is the leader of the BioColour project at University of Helsinki, says that variations in shade and a certain liveliness are characteristics of natural dyes. The colour extracted from plants often depends on where the plant has grown and on other qualities of the plant, such as its age and the strength of the bark for example. On an industrial scale where the changes in colour should be under control, this might prove a challenge, says Esko Hjelt. – All these factors including the quality requirements of small scale industrialproduction, such as the light and colour fastness, must be taken into consideration. This requires careful planning of the entire production process from plant collection to finishing, says Esko. 

The construction of Lapuan Kankurit’s own wool spinning mill and finishing line also supports the use of natural dyes. Esko Hjelt says they have also made dyeing samples on linen, but that wool is by far the best natural fibre for natural colourants – With our own production line we are able to produce an unlimited number of different shades, when we spin and weave the yarns ourselves. This also means huge possibilities for the product design, Esko adds.

01.08.2022

  

  • Lapuan Kankurit Shakki
  • Lapuan Kankurit Jäkälä

CLOSE TO NATURE – NEW AUTUMN 2022 COLLECTION

A good life. What does it mean to you? To us, above all else, it means closeness – closeness to nature, closeness to each other, closeness to everything we do. We wish to be present in everything we make. Through our new collection we wish to weave a good life for our customers. We hope that you will have the chance to enjoy the coming autumn and winter together with your loved ones.

Our upcoming autumn collection is called “Close to Nature”. Some of our most precious values include ecological awareness and respect for both nature and humanity. With our new collection we want to highlight the Northern slow living, being close to nature, each other, and our home.

The talented young designer Saara Obele created the gorgeous JÄKÄLÄ design for our autumn collection. JÄKÄLÄ is an ode to the forest floor. It extends and reaches out over large areas in a unified ensemble, bringing softness to the rocky landscape. JÄKÄLÄ is available in several different colours as sauna covers, sauna pillows and blankets. The new KUUTAMO blanket, available in two different colours, was also designed by Saara. KUUTAMO is inspired by the warm, almost tropical nights of the late summer, when the bright light of the moon is filtered through the forest vegetation.

The delightfully luxurious SHAKKI blanket is the first Lapuan Kankurit product designed by Ida Korsström. Ida is a Finnish textile designer and an Aalto University graduate. Her work is characterised by the straightforward yet expressive designs and her strong sense of colour. The savvy SHAKKI pattern is available in this autumn’s mesmerizing new colour option olive as well as two other gorgeous colourings.

You can also discover our new design by Matti Pikkujämsä called KISSANPÄIVÄT. The cheerful design is available as tea towels and blankets in two different colours. Our two new blankets, DUETTO and SOINTU, are designed by Elina Helenius and Helmi Liikanen respectively. We hope that our new products bring lovely warmth and gentle comfort into your life. Besides our new releases, we are also bringing out new colours for the following existing series: VILLIYRTIT, SADE, SAIMAANNORPPA, TERVA, HUVILA, TANHU, KOLI, KOTA, UNI and EEVA.

We will present our new collection at the following exhibitions:

HABITARE, Helsinki 7.–11.9.2022                          Hall 6, stand B 48
MAISON & OBJECT, Paris 8.–12.9.2022             Hall 4, stand F 41

 

 

LAPUAN KANKURIT x LAPUA PRIDE 4-10.7.2022

Love is woven into the very core of Lapuan Kankurit. We are defined by the love for our craft and tradition, for the environment that sustains us, for the people we surround ourselves with and for the city that is both our foundation and our home. We are overjoyed to take part in Lapua’s very first Pride celebration next week 4.–10.7. ⁠

During the Lapua Pride week, we will be donating 40 percent of our Lapua outlet’s MAIJA towel sales to the event host Lakeuden Sateenkaari ry. Lakeuden Sateenkaari is an organization which aims to create a more inclusive and equal society for sexual and gender minorities, both locally and around the whole Finland.⁠

Our Lapua outlet will be open 10:00–18:00 from Monday to Friday, 10:00–15:00 on Saturday and 12:00–15:00 on Sunday. Come join us on our mission to weave a good life for everyone.

4.7.2022⁠

  • AALLOKKO lapuan kankurit

AALLOKKO FOR SAVING THE BALTIC SEA

Lapuan Kankurit has been part of the John Nurminen Foundation’s Baltic Sea rescue team since 2016.

Together with our customers, we have already donated 54 000 euros to support the Foundation’s valuable work for saving our unique Baltic Sea. Today, the partnership continues with the new AALLOKKO textiles designed by Reeta Ek.

The purpose of the John Nurminen Foundation is to save the Baltic Sea and its heritage for future generations. The goal of the Foundation’s Clean Baltic Sea project is to improve the condition of the sea with tangible measures that will reduce the load and environmental risks directed at the Baltic Sea.

The work of the John Nurminen Foundation is managed by measurable results and impact.

Find out more: www.johnnurmisensaatio.fi

22.1.2024
  • lapuan kankurit hiilineutraali 2035

LAPUAN KANKURIT PLEDGES TO CARBON NEUTRAL TEXTILE SECTOR 2035 COMMITMENT

The aim to keep our global warming under 1,5 Celsius degrees requires radical measures. The Finnish Textile and Fashion Organization’s Carbon Neutral Textile Sector 2035 -commitment has summoned together the companies who wish to take action to reduce carbon emission.

Lapuan Kankurit was among the first to sign the commitment. The participants aim for a carbon neutral business activity by 2035. The commitment acts as a tool for the textile businesses to reign in climate change. In addition, it offers regular training and counselling in relation to the most current questions regarding climate change, which is of key importance to small and medium sized companies in this rapidly evolving world.

”We began measuring our carbon footprint a few years back. Through it we understand emissions better and can actively work towards carbon neutrality. The Carbon Neutral Textile Sector 2035 calculator is a great aid in this. Together with other textile businesses we can help each other improve and work to achieve a better tomorrow”, says Jaana Hjelt.

”This spring we will incorporate the environmental management system EcoCompass into our entire company operation, which will also help us towards a carbon neutral textile sector. Here in Lapua we are currently investing in a finishing plant, which allows us to take our environment in consideration on an entire new level through, for example, geothermal heating and heat recovery systems.

  • Lapuan Kankurit
  • Lapuan Kankurit Esko Hjelt ja Jorma Saarikoski

Lapuan Kankurit Invests in Its Own Wool Spinning Mill

Lapuan Kankurit continues to invest in Finnish sheep's wool. With the upcoming wool spinning mill, we can control the entire production chain of wool and make unique product development with Finnish wool. At the same time, we take responsibility for transferring know-how to future generations.

Lapuan Kankurit will build – not just one, but two – new production facilities in Lapua

Alongside the Finnish sheep's wool weaving and finishing mills also comes a spinning mill. "Thanks to our own spinning mill, we can begin with a completely new kind of comprehensive product development with Finnish sheep's wool", the CEO of Lapuan Kankurit and textile industry’s passionate trailblazer, Esko Hjelt, says. With its own yarns and fibres Lapuan Kankurit is able to, for instance, mix the Finnish sheep’s wool with new cellulose-based and recycled fibres, thus creating completely new yarns. The weaving mill also makes it possible to dye the wool with natural colours even before spinning, which, according to Hjelt, gives the wool a beautiful, mottled finish. It is also possible to combine the wool from different coloured sheep to create completely unique decorative products. The path is open for large-scale experiment and development. "It is also worthwhile to be able to showcase young students, for example, the entire production chain of a wool product in our own premises. From wool fibre to a finished product. Only the wool washing is done elsewhere for the time being." Maintaining and developing the Finnish textile tradition has always been an important value for us. The project is also strongly motivated by the fact that until now up to half of Finnish sheep's wool has been wasted.

A new life for the machines of SUUPOHJAN KEHRUUTEHDAS spinning factory

Lapuan Kankurit acquired the spinning wool yarn machines from Teuva, Suupohja's spinning factory, which has not had operations in years. The equipment is currently being serviced and modernized to reflect current work safety standards. “The spinning of carded yarn is the traditional way of making yarn, and it hasn’t really changed over the years. These machines are my age, so not even that old, somewhere in their fifties”, Esko Hjelt laughs. For the needs for Finnish sheep wool from Lapuan Kankurit, the machines are the suitable size. When approximately 130,000 kilos of different yarns are used annually in our modern weaving, Finnish sheep wool initially accounts for about 10,000 kilos per year. We buy Finnish sheep wool from local farmers, turn it into yarn ourselves and weave it into decorative items in Lapua. Our new production facilities will be finished in 2022, and we are aiming to get the first Finnish sheep’s wool products ready to sell as fast as possible. Lapuan Kankurit is the leading Finnish, Made-in-Finland decoration textile company, and we wish to be the trailblazers in utilizing Finnish wool responsibly and sustainably.

Pictured: The CEO of Lapuan Kankurit, Esko Hjelt, getting acquainted with the upcoming spinning production line with Jorma Saarikoski, The CEO of the now-closed Suupohjan Kehruutehdas spinning factory.

  • LK pop up
  • LK pop up

2021 LK POP UP at Lapua Factory outlet

LK POPUP IN LAPUA

This summer it's worth to stop in Lapua and visit our Factory outlet store that is located along the Lapua river in picturesque area of Vanhan Paukun kulttuurikeskuksen.

In our spacious store we have our whole collection available with new products and changing campaigns and sale items.

Lapuan Kankurit has opened new pop up store area in the Factory out let.

During the spring and summer  you can find beautiful design and interior products from interesting finnish brands. For example 

Adea, Nikari, Himmee, Woodnotes, Udumbara, By Aatos, Johanna Gullichsen, Raaka Rå, Pia Ost, Jatta Lavi, Reeta Ek ja Maija Frederika.

 
Some of the products by these amazing brands are also available in our Helsinki store!
 
Lapuan kankurit factory out let is open
 

Mon-Fri 11-18 Sat 10-15

Vanhan Paukuntie 1, 62100 LAPUA, tel. 050-5275728

  • OSTETAAN SUOMALAISEN LAMPAANVILLAA

CURRENTLY BUYING FINNISH SHEEP’S WOOL

We are currently buying good quality, pure and clean wool from Finnsheep, Kainuu Greys and Texel sheep.

Please contact us via email at info@lapuankankurit.fi

For more information, contact Esko Hjelt 0500-463084

Thank you!

  • Lapuan Kankurit viimeistelylaitos
  • Lapuan Kankurit Suomenlammas

The wool of Finnish sheep will be utilised for industrial purposes and bring new investments to Lapua

A large portion of the wool of Finnish sheep is wasted, but now this wool will finally be utilised for industrial purposes

Lapuan Kankurit is investing in a new finishing mill. This mill will produce wool textiles also made from the wool of the Finnish sheeps. Lapuan Kankurit is the leading manufacturer of household textiles in Finland and it hopes to lead the way in the responsible utilisation of Finnish wool.

According to estimates, up to one half of the wool of Finnish sheep currently goes to waste. Lapuan Kankurit – known for its design textiles – decided to do something about the matter so that it could become the only manufacturer in Finland to offer its customers industrially woven and continuosly finished wool textiles made from the wool of Finnish sheep.

Lapuan Kankurit is also investing in four new Jacquard machines for its weaving mill in Lapua to add to the existing 20 machines and hiring more employees to meet the demands of increased wool production. The company also strives to build a unique, continuously operating wool textile finishing facility in Finland.

In total we are talking over 2 miljon euro investment.

”We want to use available materials responsibly and effectively and bring our own special expertise to bear in the processing of the wool of Finnsheep and other Finnish sheep. We know how to direct the industrial process using modern methods”, says Esko Hjelt, CEO of Lapuan Kankurit.

Up until now, the fine wool of Finnsheep has only been utilised by small operators and craftspeople for making mainly handicraft yarn and there has been a lack of Finnish wool thread for industrial weaving. The most significant reason for the poor utilisation rate is the low price of raw wool, which has not encouraged sheep farmers to undertake the laborious tasks of sorting and selling the wool. ”Once demand increases, the price of wool fibre will increase with it, making it profitable for the sheep farmers as well”, says Hjelt.

Bringing lost knowhow back to Finland

Lapuan Kankurit procures the certified ready-made wool threads it uses from carefully selected spinning mills mainly from within the EU area. Over the last year the entrepreneur has been touring Finnish sheep farms and has already acquired a few thousand kilograms of Finnsheep wool for the company warehouse.

At least at first, the wool will be washed in England because as of now industrial-scale washing is not possible in Finland. Once washed, the wool will be spun into yarn. We are also developing methods of utilising plant dyes in the dying of yarn. Finally, the yarn is woven and finished into wool felt at our own mill and new finishing plant.

Weaving is the specialty of Lapuan Kankurit, a manufacturer of high-quality linen and wool products, but in the finishing of wool, Esko Hjelt aims to utilise the theoretical knowledge his weaver master family has accumulated in fulling mills since the 1950s. ”We are a rebuilding a production line that had already disappeared from Finland. We are combining old knowhow with new technology.”

Systematic collection through cooperation

The Hjelts are pleased that the need for the systematic collection of Finnsheep wool has been recognised in recent years by operators such as Pro Agria, and they are happy to join cooperative projects on the matter.

”It is fun to drive around visiting farms and buying wool and all, but it does not make much sense in the long run”, says Esko Hjelt, the CEO of an export business aimed at Europe and Japan, and laughs.

Further information and interview requests:

Esko Hjelt
CEO
esko.hjelt@lapuankankurit.fi

Published 15.2.2021 edited 27.7.2021

  

 

Brand appreciation Survey

Lapuan Kankurit - The most recommended brand of 2020
 
The survey of economic research - Taloustutkimus, included 536 brands, and Lapuan Kankurit was the most recommended brand with NPS result +52. The NPS number shows how likely a user would recommend a brand to a friend. The second most recommended was Moccamaster with a result of +50. A warm thank you to our customers for this result and for every recommendation! We will continue to do everything we can to be worth of your kind words.


Lapuan Kankurit - number one in customer satisfaction index measurement 2020

The second most recommended was Kolmen kaverin jäätelö and the third one was Fiskars. 536 brands were involved in the measurement of economic research - Taloustutkimus. We are proud and happy that Lapuan Kankurit is appreciated precisely among its users. Thank You!

  • lapuan kankurit x Pattern Lab20
  • lapuan kankurit x Pattern Lab20
  • lapuan kankurit x Pattern Lab20

Pattern Lab20 x Lapuan Kankurit

Pattern Lab20

Pattern Lab is a year-long study project at Aalto University of Art, Design and Architecture. The project gives students a possibility to experience what it is like to work as a professional freelance designer in the textile industry. During the training, students create their own designs in co-operation with a design company, such as Lapuan Kankurit.

Lapuan Kankurit started co-operating with Pattern Lab in 2012, which resulted in a large number of beautiful designs from today’s top designers including Reeta Ek. “Working together with students on a long-term project such as this requires open-mindedness, commitment and, above all, consistency,” says member of the Lapuan Kankurit design team Elina Helenius. “Students are seldom held back by old habits or fixed mindsets, which is refreshing,” Jaana Hjelt from Lapuan Kankurit adds. “This kind of co-operation is beneficial for both parties. To us, it is a possibility to get fresh ideas and work with upcoming talents. The students, on the other hand, learn how to create commercial designs in a genuine business environment.”

Maarit Salolainen, professor of Textile Design at the Aalto University, has been supervising Pattern Lab since 2003. She sees the study project as an important steppingstone for young designers. “To our students, this real-life training opportunity with Lapuan Kankurit is an eye-opening experience. It is extremely important that students get to see the production and design process from the client’s point of view as well,” Salolainen says. Both Hjelt and Salolainen emphasize that the best designs and innovations are born out of creativity and co-operation. “At Lapuan Kankurit, we believe that working together and learning from each other is the right way to the best result,” Hjelt says. Maarit Salolainen agrees: “During the project, our students learn that success comes from listening to the client, from open communication, and working together as a team.” To Lapuan Kankurit, the Pattern Lab co-operation is of an even greater significance. “We believe that design is more than just a beautiful product. We aim to design and manufacture sustainable, longlasting, and versatile products for multifunctional purposes,” says Hjelt. “It is our responsibility to make sure that both the weaving skills and design work in the industry are preserved for future generations.”

 

Read more about pattern lab designers: 

https://patternlab.aalto.fi/pattern-lab-20/

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=NfRbW3Q8iiY&feature=emb_logo

1.9.2020

  • Lapuan Kankurit Saimaannorppa towel
  • Lapuan Kankurit Saimaannorppa sauna pillow, towel
  • saimaannorppa Saimaa ringed seal

IN COOPERATION WITH THE FINNISH ASSOCIATION FOR NATURE CONSERVATION

Lapuan Kankurit has released the SAIMAANNORPPA collection in cooperation with The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (FANC) year 2019. One of the FANC’s aims is to protect the endangered Saimaa ringed seal. The Saimaa ringed seal (saimaannorppa in Finnish) is the most endangered seal in the world. It lives only in the Finnish lake Saimaa. Today, there are only around 400 seals.
 
The association’s specialist Kaarina Tiainen has designed a pattern that works beautifully as woven textiles. SAIMAANNORPPA products, wool blankets, hot water bottles, linen towels and sauna textiles combine the craftsmanship of Lapuan Kankurit with a deep understanding of nature.
 
Each SAIMAANNORPPA hot water bottle cover is cut from a different piece of fabric, replicating the unique rings that are found on each seal. Lapuan Kankurit donates a fixed amount for each of the SAIMAANNORPPA products sold to the FANC for the protection of the Saimaa ringed seal.

Hava a look at SAIMAANNORPPA collection.

Lapuan Kankurit has raised 32.000 euros for FANC before until 2024.

 

22.1.2024

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