Koskisen’s chipboard factory is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, marking not only its long history but also its ongoing development. One of the factory’s seasoned professionals, sales manager Jari Laine, has been part of the journey for 30 years. He has witnessed the factory’s growth, the expansion of its product range, and the deepening of customer relationships. Now, the focus is once again on the future, as the factory introduces a new press plate that shapes the surface of the boards to be more natural and durable than ever before.
A new press plate brings natural texture and durability
A metal pressing plate is installed in the coating press, which imprints the desired texture onto the surface of the chipboard. The new press plate introduces a modern, matte wood grain pattern that replaces the WG pattern, which has been in use for over 30 years.
“The new press plate gives the surface a more natural look and improves durability. It’s especially suitable for doors and frame applications, and works with all 35 of our stock colors,” Laine explains.
The new press plate and its surface textures were officially launched at the Wood Fair in Jyväskylä in September 2025.
Domestic production, agility, and quality are the cornerstones for success
Koskisen’s chipboard factory is the only operational facility of its kind in Finland. According to Laine, there were 12 such factories in the country in the 1980s, now only one remains. He believes Koskisen’s success is due to several factors.
“We have one of the world’s most extensive product ranges, flexible production batches, and a customer-oriented approach. Additionally, the synergy of material flows and our logistical location support our operations.”
The popularity of melamine surfaces has grown, and their realistic appearance and durability have made them a viable alternative to painted surfaces. Edge banding technology has also evolved: zero-joint edge banding makes the board’s edge tighter and more refined.
Looking ahead without forgetting the past
Although development is ongoing, Laine sees value in history as well.
“Something has clearly been done right if the factory has stood for 50 years. It’s an honor to be part of this story. And even more so to see it continue.”
Jari Laine started at Koskisen in 1995, when the factory’s capacity doubled with the addition of a new production line. He was recruited by chance after a local football hobby league match. Since then, he has worked as a sales manager for domestic sales and has been responsible for the sales of board products in Järvelä together with his colleague Linda Ratu.
“Over the years, I’ve had well over a hundred customers. From 1995 to 2025, I’ve sold an estimated 1.25 million cubic meters of chipboard, and currently I manage around a hundred active customers. Personal interaction has always been important to me, it’s part of the reason why our customer relationships last,” Laine says.