History – Lapuan Kankurit

History

Respecting the past, weaving the future

A lot has changed for Lapuan Kankurit in their fifty years of business. And yet, to the owner Esko Hjelt, much more remains the same way it always has been. – Our family’s textile legacy began when Juho Annala founded a felt boot factory in Lapua in 1917. His grandson, Juha Hjelt, started his own […]

Innovations for the Future

Lapuan Kankurit weaving mill is going through times of constant change. Over the past ten years, the weaving facilities have expanded thrice and the equipment has been modernised. Currently, a new wool production line is underway. According to fourth generation weaver Esko Hjelt, investments and sustainable product development are the success factors of their business. […]

Textile Mender at Lapuan Kankurit 1973–2013

Lissu was a cornerstone of the weaving mill for 40 years. She began her career in 1971 by looking after a three-year-old blonde-haired boy. That boy is now Esko Hjelt, the CEO of Lapuan Kankurit. Her work continued at the weaving mill, and from then on, no one wanted to let go of Lissu. To […]