Fiskars

Fiskars is a Finnish consumer-products company with origins in a 1649 ironworks established in the village of Fiskars, roughly 100 kilometres west of Helsinki. The enterprise began when Dutch merchant Peter Thorwöste received a charter from Queen Christina of Sweden to establish a blast furnace and forging operation. Its early output included pig iron, wrought iron, nails, wire, hoes and metal-reinforced wheels. Over the following centuries, the business moved between ironworking, copper processing, cutlery and other metal products as local resources and industrial conditions changed. A major nineteenth-century turning point came after apothecary Johan Jacob Julin acquired the ironworks and village in 1822. Under Julin, Fiskars expanded its industrial capabilities and founded Finland’s first cutlery mill in 1832. Production broadened from knives to forks and scissors, creating a foundation for the company’s later consumer-products identity. Fiskars was listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange in 1915 and has remained a publicly traded Finnish company. The modern Fiskars brand is particularly associated with its orange-handled scissors. The first pair was produced in 1967, after prototypes were tested with several handle colors. Employees selected orange, and the resulting color became a recognizable visual signature. Fiskars Orange was later protected as a trademark in Finland and the United States. The company internationalized the scissors business through a United States factory established in 1977 and subsequently developed a broad portfolio of cutting, gardening, crafting and household tools. Fiskars Group has also expanded beyond tools through acquisitions. Iittala and Leborgne joined the portfolio in 2007, strengthening kitchenware, tabletop and gardening activities. Royal Copenhagen was acquired in 2013, adding hand-painted porcelain and increasing the group’s exposure to Nordic and Asian markets. In 2015, Fiskars acquired the Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton group, bringing major luxury tabletop and home brands into the business. The group’s Living portfolio subsequently included brands such as Iittala, Wedgwood, Waterford, Royal Copenhagen, Arabia, Rörstrand and Royal Doulton, while Functional has included Fiskars and Gerber. The company is organized around two strategic business units: Living and Functional. Living focuses on tabletop, giftware and interior products; Functional develops tools for the home, garden, outdoors and crafts. Fiskars also reports an Other segment covering corporate activities, real estate and investments, and reports geographically across the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The group operates its own stores and online channels alongside third-party retail distribution. In the early 2020s, Fiskars changed leadership and worked to sharpen its growth strategy. A strategy announced at the end of 2021 concentrated attention on five priority brands: Fiskars, Iittala, Royal Copenhagen, Gerber and Moomin Arabia. The company completed the divestment of its American watering businesses, including Gilmour and Nelson, in 2022. It also invested in electric furnace technology at the Iittala glass factory, with the stated aim of reducing the factory’s carbon dioxide emissions. Fiskars Group remains active internationally, with its global headquarters in Espoo and a portfolio spanning functional tools and premium home and lifestyle products.

Fiskars traces its history to 1649, when Peter Thorwöste received permission from Queen Christina of Sweden to establish an ironmaking and forging operation at Fiskars in southern Finland. The works initially produced pig iron and converted it into wrought iron using water-powered machinery. Early products included nails, wire, hoes and reinforced wheels. Copper extraction later became important after deposits were found at nearby Orijärvi, but the mine’s resources declined and the original blast furnace closed in 1802. In 1822, Johan Jacob Julin acquired the ironworks and the surrounding village. He modernized the operation and redirected it toward iron processing. Fiskars established Finland’s first cutlery mill in 1832, expanding from knives into forks and scissors. This transition from basic iron production to manufactured household goods became a central part of the company’s long-term development. After Julin’s death, Fiskars was listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange in 1915. The company’s most recognizable product emerged in the 1960s. Fiskars developed lightweight scissors with molded plastic handles, producing the first pair in 1967. Several colors were considered before orange was selected through an internal decision process. The color later became known as Fiskars Orange and was registered as a trademark in Finland in 2003 and in the United States in 2007. A scissors factory in the United States, established in 1977, supported international growth. During the 2000s and 2010s, Fiskars evolved into a multi-brand consumer-products group. The acquisition of Iittala and Leborgne in 2007 strengthened kitchenware, tabletop and garden tools. Royal Copenhagen joined in 2013, adding premium porcelain, while the 2015 acquisition of the Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton group significantly expanded the Living portfolio. These transactions positioned Fiskars across both functional tools and premium home products. In the modern period, the company has operated through Functional and Living strategic business units. Functional includes Fiskars and Gerber products for gardening, cutting, crafting, outdoor use and household tasks. Living includes brands such as Iittala, Wedgwood, Waterford, Royal Copenhagen, Arabia, Rörstrand and Royal Doulton, with products spanning glassware, porcelain, tableware, gifts and interior décor. Leadership changed in 2020 when Jaana Tuominen left the CEO role. CFO Sari Pohjonen served as interim CEO before Nathalie Ahlström became president and CEO. A new strategy announced in 2021 emphasized five priority brands and the group’s own retail and digital channels. Fiskars completed the divestment of its Gilmour and Nelson watering businesses in 2022. The same year, it announced an electric-furnace investment at the Iittala glass factory to reduce dependence on natural gas and lower emissions. The group’s headquarters are now in Espoo, near Helsinki, and its products are sold in more than 100 countries.

1. 2022American watering businesses are divested

   The Gilmour and Nelson watering businesses leave the Fiskars portfolio.

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2. 2022Iittala furnace electrification investment is announced

   Fiskars announces investment in electric furnaces at the Iittala glass factory to reduce emissions.

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3. 2021Five-brand strategy is announced

   Fiskars identifies Fiskars, Iittala, Royal Copenhagen, Gerber and Moomin Arabia as priority brands.

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4. 2020CEO transition takes place

   Jaana Tuominen leaves the CEO position, followed by an interim period led by Sari Pohjonen and the appointment of Nathalie Ahlström.

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5. 2015Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton group is acquired

   Fiskars expands substantially in luxury home, tabletop and lifestyle products.

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6. 2013Royal Copenhagen is acquired

   The acquisition broadens the group’s premium tableware portfolio and strengthens its Nordic and Asian presence.

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7. 2007Iittala and Leborgne join the portfolio

   The acquisitions strengthen Fiskars in kitchenware, tabletop products and garden tools.

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8. 1977United States scissors factory opens

   Fiskars establishes a U.S. manufacturing base to support international expansion.

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9. 1967Orange-handled scissors are introduced

   Fiskars produces the first scissors that develop into its globally recognized orange-handled line.

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10. 1915Fiskars becomes publicly listed

    Fiskars is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.

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11. 1832Finland’s first cutlery mill opens at Fiskars

    The company expands from knives into forks and scissors, establishing a durable consumer-products direction.

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12. 1822Johan Jacob Julin acquires Fiskars

    Johan Jacob Julin purchases the ironworks and village and begins a period of industrial redevelopment.

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13. 1802Original blast furnace closes

    The first blast furnace at the village closes after the business had shifted heavily toward copper processing.

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14. 1649Fiskars ironworks is established

    Peter Thorwöste receives a charter to establish a blast furnace and forging operation at Fiskars in Finland.

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Design-led, durable and functional consumer products combining practical utility with recognizable Scandinavian heritage.

• Orange-handled scissorsCutting tools1967

  Introduced in 1967, Fiskars’ orange-handled scissors are the company’s signature product family. Their lightweight construction, molded handles and distinctive color helped make ordinary household and craft scissors recognizable design objects. The range includes general-purpose, sewing, children’s, school, professional and crafting variants.

• Fiskars garden toolsGarden tools

  Fiskars garden products include shears, pruners, axes, loppers, rakes, shovels and other tools for gardening and outdoor maintenance. The line applies the brand’s emphasis on ergonomic handling, durable materials and practical design to both everyday household gardening and more demanding outdoor work.

• Fiskars craft and school toolsCraft and education supplies

  This portfolio includes paper scissors, rotary cutters, punches, cutting systems and other tools used in sewing, scrapbooking, classroom work and creative projects. Products are designed for controlled cutting and repeated use, with variants aimed at children, hobbyists and more specialized makers.

• Gerber toolsOutdoor and utility tools

  Gerber is Fiskars Group’s outdoor and utility-tools brand. Its products include knives, multi-tools, cutting implements and equipment for outdoor, work and emergency applications. The brand complements Fiskars’ household and garden tools with a more strongly outdoor-oriented proposition.

• Living portfolioTableware and home products

  Fiskars Group’s Living business includes glassware, porcelain, tableware, gifts and interior products sold under brands including Iittala, Wedgwood, Waterford, Royal Copenhagen, Arabia, Rörstrand and Royal Doulton. The portfolio ranges from contemporary Nordic design to luxury and heritage tableware.

• 2022Divestment of Gilmour and NelsonM&A

  Fiskars continued to refine its portfolio around its strategic consumer-product categories.

  What changed. The company completed the divestment of its American watering businesses, including Gilmour and Nelson.

  Aftermath. The divestment reduced the group’s exposure to the American watering segment.

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• 2022Electric furnace investment at IittalaStrategy

  The Iittala glass factory relied on natural-gas-powered furnaces and Fiskars sought to reduce production emissions.

  What changed. Fiskars announced a €10 million renewable-energy investment to replace existing furnaces with electric technology.

  Aftermath. The company stated that the project was intended to reduce the factory’s annual carbon dioxide emissions by 74 percent by the end of 2026.

  Investment. €10 million announced investment (2022 announcement)

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• 2021Focused five-brand strategyStrategy

  The company faced a need for clearer growth priorities and reported a period of declining net sales.

  What changed. Fiskars identified Fiskars, Iittala, Royal Copenhagen, Gerber and Moomin Arabia as priority brands and emphasized owned retail and e-commerce channels.

  Aftermath. The strategy concentrated resources on selected brands and direct customer relationships.

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• 2015Acquisition of the Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton groupM&A

  Fiskars was expanding into premium and luxury home and lifestyle categories.

  What changed. The group acquired the Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton group of companies.

  Aftermath. The acquisition materially expanded Fiskars’ Living portfolio in luxury tabletop and home products.

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• 2013Acquisition of Royal CopenhagenM&A

  Fiskars wanted to expand its premium tableware offering and strengthen its Nordic brand presence.

  What changed. The company acquired Royal Copenhagen.

  Aftermath. The deal added hand-painted porcelain and increased exposure to Nordic and Asian markets.

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• 2007Acquisition of Iittala and LeborgneM&A

  Fiskars sought to strengthen its positions in kitchenware, tabletop products and garden tools.

  What changed. The group acquired Iittala and Leborgne.

  Aftermath. The transactions broadened Fiskars’ consumer-products portfolio beyond its core tools business.

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• 1967Launch of orange-handled scissorsProduct launch

  Fiskars was developing lighter scissors with molded plastic handles and tested several handle colors.

  What changed. The company selected orange for the handles and introduced the first production model.

  Aftermath. The color became a defining brand asset and was later registered as a trademark in Finland and the United States.

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• 2022Fiskars completes divestment of American watering businesses

  The company completed the sale or divestment of its Gilmour and Nelson watering businesses as part of portfolio focus.

  M&A
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• 2022Fiskars announces electric furnace investment at Iittala

  Fiskars Group announced a renewable-energy investment intended to replace natural-gas furnaces at the Iittala glass factory with electric furnaces.

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• 2021Fiskars announces focused brand strategy

  The group announced a strategy centered on Fiskars, Iittala, Royal Copenhagen, Gerber and Moomin Arabia, with greater emphasis on its own stores and online channels.

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• 2020Fiskars changes chief executive leadership

  Jaana Tuominen stepped down as president and CEO, Sari Pohjonen served as interim CEO, and Nathalie Ahlström subsequently became president and CEO.

  Leadership change
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• 2015Fiskars reaches a century of stock-market listing

  Fiskars marked 100 years of listing on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange.

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1. Fiskars
2. Fiskars corporate website