Arabia factory steps

1870s

On 25th of November 1873 Rörstrand received a permission to establish a Finnish daughter company.
n October 1874 the factory was completed in Helsinki on a plot called Arabia, from which the company inherited its name.
he company produced undecorated earthenware, sanitary products and copperplate patterns dish sets (Fasaani 1876-1950). Designs and patterns came from Rörstrand.

1880s

In 1884 Arabia became nominally a Finnish company, but Rörstrand retained the majority of the shares.
The company started producing tiled stoves, porcelain and majolica pottery.

1890s

In 1893 Gustav Herlitz was appointed as the CEO. The first catalog in Finnish was published.
In 1896 architect Jac Ahrenberg was hired as an artistic advisor and Thure Öberg became the company's first artist. A sales exhibition was held with G.F. Stockman.
Several new copperplate patterns were produced.

1900s

In 1900 Arabia won the gold medal at the Paris World fair.
Arabia produced its own models of tiles stoves, vases and dish sets.
New items: multi-colored transfers in domestic ware and luster marbling in decorative objects.

1910s

In 1912 the first design competition was arranged, which was won by Eric O.W. Ehrström.
In 1916 Arabia became wholly Finnish owned company and Carl Gustaf Herlitz was appointed as the CEO. An extensive reform program was introduced and electricity was installed in the factory.
Sculptors Ville and Viivi Vallgren, Emil Cedecreutz and Bertil Nilsson designed porcelain statuettes.

1920s

In 1922 laboratory, first truck, the company started producing electrical insulators.
In 1923 Arabia acquired a porcelain factory in Turku, the shares of Arabia and Turku porcelain factories were sold to Arnhold Group until year 1927.
In 1927 Arabia acquired a porcelain factory in Lidköping and the majority of Rörstrand's shares.
In 1929 the world's longest tunnel kiln was built, which was 112 meters long, a once-firing method was introduced for sanitary - and house ware.
More artists, Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg, Svea Granlund, Olga Osol.

1930s

In 1932 Arabia sold all the shares of the factories in Sweden, Kurt Ekholm was hired as an art director.
New artists: Toini Muona, Aune Siimes, Michael Schilkin, Birger Kaipiainen.
In 1937 new factory was built, which included a new tunnel kiln, over 30.000 individual products. The company's art department made an international breakthrough at the Paris World Fair.
Several new designs and patterns including LB/EP and ML (Greta Lisa Jäderholm-Snellman in 1933 and 1935), AR-Sinivalko (Kurt Ekholm in 1935) and AS-Maisema (Reinhard Richter in 1936).

1940s

During 1942-1947 the factory on Hämeentie (street) was expanded (architects Erik and Elma Lindroos).
In 1942 the company started manufacturing rice porcelain (Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg).
In 1947 Wärtsilä Group acquired Arabia.
In 1948 Arabia Museum was opened.
New artists: Rut Bryk, Kaj Franck, Kaarina Aho, Ulla Procopé, Kyllikki Salmenhaara, Sakari Vapaavuori, Annikki Hovisaari, Raija Uosikkinen, Hilkka Säynäjärvi, Ritva Kaukoranta.
Olga Osolin became the lead of the Department of Industrial Art.

1950s

Arabia's artists won numerous prizes at the Milan Triennials in 1951, 1954 and 1957.
In 1950-1951 the factories started using oil in tunnel kilns and introduced open firing technique, In 1955 cast irons were installed in the kilns for sanitary porcelain.
In 1952 Kilta (Kaj Franck), which was launched 1953. A showroom and a store was opened at Esplanadi in Helsinki.
Other novelties: AR-Heini (Kaarina Aho/Raija Uosikkinen 1957), Liekki -dishes (Ulla Procopé 1958).
In 1959 the Department of Industrial Art was changed to Studio Department and Richard Lindh was appointed as the head of the department.
New artists: Liisa Hallamaa, Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist, Oiva Toikka, Francesca and Richard Lindh, Esteri Tomula, Brita Heilimi, several international guest artists.

1960s

In 1960 Birget Kaipainen's Helmilinnut received the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennial.
In 1956-1961 roller-molding machines for plates were installed.
In 1967 fully automated molding units for cups were installed.
Household range included stoneware.
New arrivals: Ruska and Valencia (Ulla Procopé 1960), Palapeli (Kaarina Aho 1963), SN-flower pots (Richard Lindh 1964).
GB restaurant dish sets (Göran Bäck 1968).
In 1967 Birget Kaipiainen's Orvokkimeri participated the Montreal World Fair.
Copper printing was discontinued, screen-printing was started.
New artists: Heljä Liukko-Sundström, Inkeri Leivo, Anja Jaatinen-Winquist, Peter Winquist, numerous guest artists.

1970s

In 1971 sanitary porcelain manufacturing was relocated to Tammisaaren Posliini.
In 1971-1977 Arabia's trademark was used by Nuutajärven Lasi and Järvenpään Emali.
Between 1974-1977 Arabia collaborated with Rörstrand using the name Oy Arabia Rörstrand, corporate restructuring, Arabia concentrated on manufacturing stoneware.
1976, an annual plate (Raija Uosikkinen until year 1999)
In 1979 a new kiln-hall was put into service, which included two tunnel kilns, Francesca Lindh: Elämänpuu
New dishware: BK-Paratiisi (Birger Kaipiainen 1970), M-Karelia (Anja Jaatinen Winquist 1970), EH-Faenza (Peter Winquist 1973), Tea for Two (Gunvon Olin-Grönqvist 1978).
New artists: Paul Envalds, Pauli Partanen.

1980s

1981-1983 new chamber and decorating kilns.
In 1984 Wärtsila acquired Rörstrand, Arabia's museum and gallery were opened for the public.
1985, Rut Bryk's Kevään tulo Pohjolaan -wall art piece for the New Delhi embassy.
1988 first Pro Arte - collection.
1989 Arabia Cultural Foundation was founded, dry-press process for plate manufacturing.
New products: Arctica (Inkeri Leivo 1980), Tuuli (Heljä Liukko-Sundström 1983), Saaristo (Inkeri Leivo 1985), Microset (Göran Bäck 1986), Teema (Kaj Franck 1987), Domino (Kati Tuominen/Pekka Paikkari 1987), Harlekin (Inkeri Leivo 1989).
New artists: Kati Tuominen, Pekka Paikkari, Dorrit von Fieandt, Fujiwo Ishimoto, Kristina Riska.
Guest artists: Rudy Autio, Howard Smith, Minni Lukander, Jun Kaneko.

1990s

1990 Hackman acquired Arabia.
Pressure casting was introduced in 1993.
In 1995 Kristina Riska's installation in the Washington Embassy.
In 1996 bone china was taken back to manufacturing.
New arrivals: Savoie (Camilla Moberg 1991), Moreeni (Heikki Orvola 1992), Storybirds (Kati Tuominen 1993), 24h (Heikki Orvola 1996).
In 1998 Arabia celebrated its 125th birthday.
Pekka Paikkari was awarded at the Faenza Biennial.
New Arrivals: Illusia (Heikki Orvola/Fujiwo Ishimoto), EgO (Stefan Lindfors), ABC (Pekka Harni).
In 1999 Kati Tuominen won the first prize at the Mino international ceramics competition.

2000's

In 2003 the company was named as Iittala oy ab, Arabia's Art Department was separated from the factory's organization as its own independent Arabia Art Association ry.
In 2004 the current executive team and an international investment company became the new owners.
New artist: Heini Riitahuhta
Guest artists: Kim Simonsson, Heikki Rahikainen, Caroline Slotte.
New arrivals: Koko (Kristina Riska/Kati Tuominen-Niittylä), Nero (Pekka Harni), Oma (Harri Koskinen), Aika (Heikki Orvola).
In 2007 Fiskars acquired Iittala Group.

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