The linen weaving mill Lapuan Kankurit has won the Taito-Finlandia 2014 award. The award was presented on November 14th at the Finnish Craft & Design Fair in Tampere. The recipient was selected by internationally renowned designers Aamu Song and Johan Olin.
The nominees were chosen by a jury consisting of professionals in the handicraft and design industry. In the selection process, the jury emphasized craftsmanship and industrial expertise, high quality, as well as broad and innovative skills.
This was the third time the Taito-Finlandia award was presented. The recognition aims to highlight significant artisans and professionals representing craftsmanship and design culture while increasing appreciation for the field. The winner receives a glass sculpture by Oiva Toikka and a prize of 5,000 euros.
Lapuan Kankurit is a family-owned company from Lapua, run by fourth-generation weaver Esko Hjelt and his wife Jaana. In recent years, the company has expanded significantly into global markets, with over half of its sales coming from exports. The company’s values are based on responsible and ecological production, natural materials, technical innovations, and top design.
Own Product Innovations
CEO Esko Hjelt sees the Taito-Finlandia 2014 award as a recognition of their development efforts.
– The credit for this award goes to our entire fantastic team. At Lapuan Kankurit, we have relentlessly sought only top professionals in their fields, and the results are now evident. For us, passionate industry development is key. We don’t look to the sides but rather forward. Success in the global market requires constant innovation instead of doing what everyone else is doing.
In recent years, Lapuan Kankurit has invested significantly in product development, winning several awards. Notable technical innovations and product launches include the reintroduction of Dora Jung’s textiles (Muoto 2011), the collection of washed linen textiles (Muoto 2012), the entirely new linen-tencel material (Toimittajien Tusina 2014), and most recently, new felted wool blankets.
Top design, combined with the latest technical features and user comfort, will continue to guide Lapuan Kankurit’s operations in the future.