Koevu Collection values the collaboration with Koskisen
A man of three companies values the collaboration with Koskisen
Johannes Weckman is a versatile creator whose entrepreneurial journey began by chance and grew from a passion for craftsmanship and creativity. Today, Weckman runs three different businesses, each telling a story of creativity and courage to try something new. All products from his three companies are made from Koskisen’s thin veneer plywood, which he orders from the factory in Hirvensalmi.
Many irons in the fire, and products made of wood
Weckman’s companies are a great example of how passion and curiosity can lead to successful business ventures. His first company, Olen loistava, was born from a play on words. The original idea was to make reflectors, literally “luminous” products, but soon the range expanded to earrings and other popular small items. The business started while Weckman was still working a day job, but part-time entrepreneurship eventually turned into full-time business.
His second company, Vivian Style, creates wooden handbags, some of which combine wood with leather. When designing these, Weckman wanted to challenge both the material and his own craftmanship.
“Everything has been done already: cutting boards and spatulas. I wanted to create something new.”
The bags have attracted a lot of attention at trade fairs, and over time, they have evolved into unique design products that combine wood and leather.
The third product line in Weckman’s portfolio is wooden lamps, sold through the Lux Nomen online store. Weckman says that making lamps was a dream from the very beginning of his entrepreneurial journey, and he has drawn on his strong previous experience in the lighting industry for design and production. That dream has now become a reality in a collection that combines technical expertise with the aesthetics of wood.
Although the Olen loistava online store offers a wide range of products, Weckman emphasizes that most orders are customized:
“I make a lot of personalized products, for example, earrings with the customer’s own photo. My online store is more of a showroom than a final product list,” Weckman explains.
Collaboration with Koskisen benefits both parties
At the heart of Weckman’s products is Finnish wood. He uses almost exclusively materials from Koskisen. The thin plywood online store of the Hirvensalmi factory serves as a flexible purchasing platform for a multi-talented entrepreneur. The webshop combines easy ordering with fast delivery times.
“The online store is a clear and simple channel for buying the materials needed for each project. Prices are visible right away, and there’s no guessing about product availability. Delivery has always been extremely fast,” Weckman says.
The collaboration goes beyond Weckman’s material purchases. Koskisen also orders samples and prototypes of new materials from him, which Weckman tests for workability. In addition, Olen loistava makes plywood nameplates for Koskisen’s events and even the entire group’s business cards, of course also from plywood. This partnership is a striking example of how collaboration can be truly mutual.
“Koskisen’s thin veneer plywood is of exceptionally high quality. I couldn’t imagine using any other raw material,” Johannes Weckman states.
