Vitra buys Finnish furniture firm Artek

Finnish furniture design company Artek has been acquired by Swiss design company Vitra.

Vitra Artek
Vitra Artek

Artek – which was founded in 1935 by Finnish by architect Alvar Aalto and his wife Aino, art promoter Maire Gullichsen and art historian Nils-Gustav Hahl – will continue to operate as a separate entity.

The brand says that ‘synergies…[relating] to manufacturing, distribution and logistics’ between the two companies will be explored.

Artek was previously owned by privately held investment company Proventus.

Artek stools
Artek stools

Artek chief executive Mirkku Kullberg, says, ‘The international dimension, which was a clear goal already in Artek’s founding manifesto of 1935, needed to be revitalised.

‘That arena is where we want to be, and alliances or ownership arrangements are one way of building the future. In our judgment, having an owner from the industry was the best choice for Artek’.

Proventus chief executive Daniel Sachs adds, ‘Vitra has the ideal corporate culture, know-how and industrial resources to take Artek to the next level’.

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  • Evelina November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    My first thought is about the Finnish architect alvar Aalto and his wife Aino that started ARTEK in the early 30s. Then that vitra will take over the charm of Finland. We will see.

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