Rotola-Pukkila is a Finnish, family-owned interior panel and furniture manufacturer. Botnia Panels, introduced in 2014, is the company’s product line focusing exclusively on panels. Since the beginning, the company’s production has been located in Kauhajoki, South Ostrobothnia. South Ostrobothnia is particularly well known for its strong tradition of furniture production.
THE BEGINNING
How did it all start?
In 1965, the newlywed couple Pentti and Kaija Rotola-Pukkila started a business in furniture making. Both were highly skilled with their hands: Pentti had previously worked in a furniture factory and in forestry, and Kaija worked as a cook for a School of Animal Husbandry. Coming from rural areas, they both knew the value of hard work and had an entrepreneurial mindset. Neither of them had any initial capital for starting the company, so even the gift cards they received as wedding presents were used to buy their first tools and equipment. Pentti designed and built many of the machines which are still in use at the factory.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Generational change
The business grew year by year and the couple’s three sons Mikko, Pauli and Hannu were involved in the operation from an early age. Rotola-Pukkila became especially known for its brand Timantti, under which veneered bookshelves, wall units and sideboards are designed to this day. A generational change took place in 2002, and today the brothers run the business, each responsible for their own area of expertise. Many of Rotola-Pukkila’s employment relationships have lasted for a very long time, even decades. This contributes to a high level of expertise, which is then reflected in the quality of the products.
MANUFACTURING PANELS
From personal need to a new product line
In 2014, the production of interior panels started alongside furniture manufacturing. Botnia Panels is Rotola-Pukkila’s product line focusing on decorative indoor, outdoor and acoustic panels. The line started when Pauli, the middle son, was renovating his house and couldn’t find suitable panels on the market, so he decided to make them himself. Now, after ten years of development and refinement, the products have reached their current form. From the very beginning, the key features of Botnia Panels have always been their refined appearance, easy installability, high quality and long lifespan.
