The story
Helkama was founded in Tampere in 1905 by Heikki Juho Helkama as a machinery shop and wholesaler selling bicycles and sewing machines. The business moved to Vyborg in 1915 and established its main operations in Helsinki in 1934. After the Second World War, the company expanded considerably into automobile imports and industrial manufacturing under the leadership of the founder's sons Matti, Pekka and Eero Helkama. Over its history, Helkama has been active in industries including bicycles, mopeds, household appliances, refrigeration equipment, electrical cables, automobiles and logistics.
In 1986, the Helkama companies were reorganised into separate business groups controlled by different branches of the Helkama family. The group has remained family-owned and is currently led by the fourth generation of the family. Helkama celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2025.
The Helkama name has remained widely recognised in Finland, particularly through its long history in bicycles and consumer products. Helkama is included among the bicycle brands in Taloustutkimus's annual Brand Appreciation study, in which participating brands must achieve at least five percent spontaneous awareness in the preliminary survey.
In 2025, Helkama was selected as one of ten finalists in EY Finland's Entrepreneur of the Year competition. Helkama later received the audience favourite recognition at the 2025 awards gala.
From Wikipedia’s article on Helkama, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4