Our history – built by entrepreneurs
2019
In 2019 Suominen worked to create a new strategy for the company and made good progress in many important areas. Going forward, Suominen will focus on growth and improving its profitability through innovation and sustainability. Since July 1, 2019, Suominen has had two business areas, the Americas and Europe.
2014
Suominen’s largest business unit, Nonwovens, is divided into two new business areas, Convenience and Care, as of 1 January 2014. Convenience business area focuses on serving customers in wiping, travel and catering businesses. Care business area focuses on customers in medical and hygiene businesses. Both Convenience and Care are reported under Nonwovens segment.
Suominen acquires Ahlstrom's Brazilian unit that had formerly been part of Ahlstrom’s Home and Personal business area. The acquired plant is located in Paulínia, Brazil. It is the only nonwovens plant utilizing modern spunlace technology in manufacturing wiping products in the country, and the plant is technically capable to supply also industrial nonwovens. Paulínia plant is built in 2008 and employs approximately 40 persons. The deal provides Suominen a foothold in the growing South American markets.
Suominen acquires the entire Home and Personal business area of Ahlstrom in November 2011, but the transfer of the Brazilian unit of the acquired business is prolonged due to delay in receiving approval from the authorities and consequent renegotiations.
Suominen divestes in July 2014 its Flexibles business area (Suominen Joustopakkaukset Oy and its subsidiaries as well as Suominen Polska Sp. z.o.o) to a UK-based private equity firm Lonsdale Capital Partners LLP and the MBI team, consisting of the management of the business.
2013
Suominen’s domicile and head office transfer from Tampere to Helsinki.
The implementation of the new strategy continues through two development programs, one concentrating on integrating and standardizing supply chain processes and another aiming at accelerating product development process.
Suominen divests its wet wipes business unit, Codi Wipes, to Value Enhancement Partners investment company. The deal further strengthens Suominen’s strategic focus on nonwovens and clarifies its corporate structure.
2012
Suominen renews its strategy. The new strategy has three corner stones: The Suominen Way (which describes how we work), Step Change in Profitability (which describes how we operate) and In the Lead (which describes how we win).
2011
Production at the Nastola plant of Suominen Flexibles is terminated and production is transferred to other plants of Suominen Flexibles.
Suominen acquires Ahlstrom Corporation’s Home and Personal wipes fabrics business area. Through the acquisition, Suominen becomes the global market leader within nonwoven roll goods for wipes. After the acquisition, Suominen operates in eight countries on two continents.
2010
The production at the Norrköping plant of Suominen Flexibles is terminated.
2003
Suominen buys a Dutch wet wipes company Codi International.
Suominen Flexibles doubles the capacity of its Polish plant.
2001
Suominen Group is formed when Lassila & Tikanoja gets splitted. J.W.Suominen changes its name to Suominen Nonwovens Ltd.
Amerplast becomes known as Suominen Flexibles.
1999–2000
Amerplast builds a new plant in Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland.
1997
Green Bay Nonwovens was founded in Green Bay, WI, USA.
1994
Amerplast establishes a sales office in St. Petersburg.
1988
Amerplast buys a factory in Norrköping, Sweden.
Lassila & Tikanoja acquires the full capital stock of Amerplast.
1982
Lassila & Tikanoja acquires J.W.Suominen.
Amerplast buys a factory located in Nastola, Finland.
1971
Tecnofibra/Fiberweb was founded in Italy.
Amerplast establishes a plant in Ikaalinen, Finland.
1965
J.W.Suominen manufactures its first nonwovens product.
1952
Amerplast M. Suominen was founded in Tampere, Finland.
1933
Orlandi was founded. The first plant of the company was built in Gallarate, Italy.
1898
J.W.Suominen Ltd was founded in Nakkila, Finland as a leather treatment factory.
1767
Seth Dexter II founds C.H.Dexter & Sons in Windsor Locks, CT, USA. The company was later known as Dexter Corporation. The plant has been part of Suominen since 2011.