{"id":2725,"date":"2022-09-22T13:15:01","date_gmt":"2022-09-22T10:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fiblon.com\/company\/the-story-of-fiblon\/"},"modified":"2025-12-17T15:19:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T13:19:01","slug":"the-story-of-fiblon","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.fiblon.com\/en\/company\/the-story-of-fiblon\/","title":{"rendered":"The story of Fiblon"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The story of Fiblon<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A colorful past and a bright future<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pertti Ekberg originally started producing disposables in the cellar of his house. This first \u201dproduction facility\u201d had such a low ceiling that a taller man could not stand upright there. Luckely however Pertti could and Fiblon\u2019s first investments were made: a knife and a couple of 2-inch boards for manually cutting and folding disposable sheets for hospital use. The family\u2019s garage became the first warehouse.<\/p>\n

Many things have changed over the years. Instead of a 20 m2 basement, we now have more than 10,000 m2 of production and storage space. Production is highly automated and robots are everyday for us.<\/p>\n

Still family business<\/h4>\n

However, some things have not changed. We still manufacture all our high-quality products ourselves, and Fiblon is still completely owned by the family. Pertti Ekberg has now retired but is still the Chairman of the Board. His three children are now on the Board of Directors. The eldest son, Pekka Ekberg, is our current Managing Director.<\/p>\n

Bright future ahead<\/h4>\n

Fiblon is in healthy growth, as it has been during its entire existence. In the future, we will continue to follow the example set by our founder: Staying close to our customers and continuously improving all our actions.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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History timeline<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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1980's<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In November 1979<\/strong>, Fiblon was founded.<\/p>\n

in February 1980<\/strong>, the company\u2019s operations started in the basement of a grocery shop owned by Pertti Ekberg<\/strong>\u2019s wife, Aili Ekberg<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

We started producing headrest covers in 1981<\/strong>. The entire production concept was based on Pertti Ekberg\u2019s innovative new production method: he came up with the idea that headrest covers could be attached to the seats using just one thread. Read the story of the headrest cover<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In 1983<\/strong> we moved to a facility constructed for industrial use. Before the move we worked in various air raid shelters or craft rooms, which made, for example, logistics very complicated. The same year we purchased our first forklift. It allowed us to stack pallets. In 1983 we also began manufacturing coffee filters for large-scale professional kitchens.<\/p>\n

In 1984<\/strong> we moved to the Uusiniitty industrial area where we are still located \u2013 although we now have much larger facilities.<\/p>\n

1986<\/strong>. In a collaboration with Serla Oy, we developed the first unbleached coffee filter material in Finland. Unbleached coffee filters were, at the time, a new, environmentally friendly option. In the 1980s environmental activists highlighted the effects of the dioxins produced by the paper industry. Dioxins are created during the bleaching process. Even though the ECF and oxygen bleaching methods we used were some of the best in the world, we wanted to meet the market\u2019s demand. The development process was challenging, but successful.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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1990's<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In 1990<\/strong> we made an important investment and purchased our first fully integrated printing, folding and cutting production line \u2013 which is still in use. The investment was bigger than the company\u2019s annual turnover.<\/p>\n

In 1992<\/strong> We built a tailor-made coffee filter production line in cooperation with the American company Snyder. The new production line multiplied our production capacity and efficiency. We reached an international level of competitiveness.<\/p>\n

We were a pilot company in the Monitaito project in 1996<\/strong>. Our company was the first to have a company-specific development and training programme tailored to our needs. We systematically implemented the programme. This was the start of our company\u2019s continuous investment in the improvement of our employees\u2019 skills and knowledge. We learned that in order to develop as a company we simply had to find time for these activities. According to our values our staff need to be able to handle their work tasks during their working hours and spend their free time as they want, with their families.<\/p>\n

In 1998<\/strong> One of our owner-managers participated in JOKO management training. Four out of the five members of our management team have completed this training.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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2000's<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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2000<\/strong>. The unmanned milk filter production process that was completely developed by Fiblon was sold to Alfa Laval. During the same year we made our first inline wrapping investment for the dispenser napkin production line.<\/p>\n

2003<\/strong> we invested in inline wrapping and an eight-colour printing, folding and cutting production line with film wrapping.<\/p>\n

We sold our coffee filter business to Euracon Oy in 2007<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In 2008<\/strong> CEO Pekka Ekberg successfully completed the HHJ (approved member of the board) training. Since then, all of the members of the company\u2019s management team have completed the training. The same year, we invested in a cutting edge napkin production line called \u201cBlue Beauty\u201d. This production line was the largest and most efficient one the manufacturer had ever delivered. The line can produce up to 3,000,000 napkins in a day.<\/p>\n

We launched our own product family, the FIBRA cleaning wipes, for professional kitchens in 2009<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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2010's<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In 2012<\/strong> We started an extensive two-year vocational skills training project for all of our staff. Depending on the job description, there were roughly 20 training days per person.<\/p>\n

2013<\/strong>. We started factory terminal deliveries and distribution in Finland. In the same year we launched the FIBLON FUTURE CONCEPT forecasting tool for future frontrunners.<\/p>\n

2014<\/strong>. We continued improving the skills of our personnel through tailored training. Based on their personal development plans, 30 per cent of our production personnel started professional studies through the apprenticeship training system.<\/p>\n

2015<\/strong>. We launched the SOFTLIN table setting and presentation products for professionals. We started a branch office in Sweden, called Fiblon filial i Sverige.<\/p>\n

2017 <\/strong>We launced the new Fiblon consept called Smart Choice. This is concept help our customers to make responsible choices, which would increase the responsibility to their operations.<\/p>\n

In restaurant industry, it is still quite common to see products being chosen base on nothing but price, which can result in the wrong products being used in the wrong way. This means that the Earth\u2019s resources are being wasted, and the extra waste is generated in the process.<\/p>\n

We participated in FIBS (Finnish business society) biodiversity competition with his Smart Choice concept and received excellent feedback from the judge.<\/p>\n

.<\/strong> .<\/strong> .<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our new Fibra cases spices up the kitchen with color. The new packaging brings much needed efficiency to professional kitchens. The unique Z-fold makes it easy to grab one wipe at time. A handy dispenser box makes Bio Fibra Handy wipes particularly convenient for smaller kitchens.<\/p>\n

2019\u00a0<\/strong>We published our fifth Corporate Responsibility Report 2017-2018. With this new report, we wanted again to be pioneers: this report consists of a video, and a carbon footprint calculations with its respective analysis.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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2020<\/strong> The Covid19 pandemic started spring 2020 and affected a lot our customers at the restaurant, travel and event field. The restrictions made it difficult, sometimes even impossible to make any kind of business. As a fast and flexible company we adapted our actions to the current environment. It was a pleasure to mentor our customers how to make a hygienic and safe restaurant experience.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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