Arabia (Finland)

In 1873 Swedish company Rörstrand constructed a factory in Helsinki (Finland) on a plot of land known as Arabia. The company was especially interested in the Russian markets, and Finland provided easier access and lower import duties.

Production started in 1874 and in the beginning Arabia produced undecorated domestic faijance, sanitary items and large tableware sets decorated with transfers made on copper plates.

World War I brought a change in the ownership of Arabia. In 1916, Rörstrand sold the entire capital to Finnish buyers and independence in Finland marked a period of vigorous growth for Arabia.

In 1945 Kaj Franck was hired by Arabia to develop product design. Despite World War II, Arabia managed to expand and by 1947 the company had employed over 2,000 people. Expansion, inflation caused by war, rising production costs and price controlling brought financial hardship to Arabia and in 1947 Wärtsilä provided financial aid, and by the end of next year the factory belonged to them.

Arabia’s product range was thoroughly updated in the 1950s, thanks to Kaj Franck. Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist, Liisa Hallamaa and Brita Heilimo started in the Department of Industrial Art and Oiva Toikka and Francesca and Richard Lindh in the Art Department.

Ulla Procopé’s 'Valencia' and 'Ruska' were released in the 1960s, as was the much-loved 'Paratiisi' series by Birger Kaipiainen (in 1969).

After 150 years, Arabia is still in operation today.

You can read more about Arabia and their history, here.