A leading HVAC supplier can provide pleasant conditions for the entire ship. Koja Marine air conditioning systems improve energy efficiency and passenger comfort. You can trust our HVAC system design, production and commissioning throughout the ships life cycle. We control all conditions on board.
Property sustainability and productivity rise with the same tide. Wave Solution reduces the amount of purchased energy by up to 70% and ensures the well-being of property users.
Koja has delivered reliable and efficient fan solutions since 1935. Our reliable process fans are also energy- efficient – even in demanding processes. Nearly 50,000 fans have been delivered all over the world.
Koja Group’s 90th Anniversary was celebrated with a gala on September 5, 2025. Leena Aalto, CEO at Koja-Yhtiöt Oy & Koja Oy, delivered a celebratory speech highlighting Koja Group’s past, present, and future. Read the full speech below.
"Dear guests, I wish you a warm welcome to Koja Group’s 90th anniversary celebration.
We stand at a significant milestone today as we celebrate Koja Group’s journey. This is a moment to honor our past, appreciate our present, and celebrate our future.
The company’s roots date back to 1935. We’ve always striven to evolve and serve our customers well, and this has also resulted in growth. With its net sales of nearly EUR 130 million today, Koja Group is among the 100 largest family businesses in Finland and is just EUR 3 million shy of becoming one of the 500 largest companies in the country. Our brands, Koja and Chiller, are part of everyday life in schools, shopping malls, hospitals, ships, and industry, to name just a few examples.
My grandfather, Väinö Aalto, established a small metal workshop in Tampere’s Amuri district in August 1935. The company manufactured products for the construction industry. I’m certain my grandfather could never have imagined that his business would grow one day into a multisector company. The name Koja was formed from the names of business partner Oskari Koivunen and my grandfather’s last name, Aalto. In Finnish, it comes from “Koivusen Oskari ja Aalto,” and the Koja name will continue to be carried on by the family.
In the early days, the company produced hinges, locks, and ventilation valves for daily needs. During the war, it also manufactured wood-gas generators for military vehicles. Over the years, the company has even manufactured steerable sleds for children, as well as toy cars under the Nöpö brand. Perhaps we’ll see retro versions of them at our centenary celebration!
Today, we develop and manufacture air handling systems for ships and buildings, as well as process fans for industry, for our customers’ needs. Our solutions represent the best in green technology.
Many of us have sailed on the ferries to Sweden or perhaps even cruised in the Caribbean, and many have visited sites such as the Nokia Arena, one of Tampere’s top attractions. Over our history, we’ve also delivered nearly 50,000 process fans to sites ranging from the world’s largest pulp mills to critical energy production plants. In other words, we’re a strong domestic manufacturer, but we operate globally on every continent.
We’re grateful that our solutions can help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. Together with you, our customers, we’re creating cleaner and healthier living environments and reducing the carbon footprint. I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks for your trust and inspiring cooperation across all continents. The collaboration and support of our other long-standing partners is also of great importance to us. I’d also like to thank our boards of directors for their wise guidance. It’s a joy to be continuing this journey together!
Koja Group’s history is rich with innovation and a commitment to quality and safety at work, so I’d also like to express my thanks to our staff. I’m proud of you—you do important work in places where people’s daily lives and safety meet. Your expertise and dedication have shaped us into what we are today. I thank all of you for your hard work and for making Koja Group an exemplary company.
Koja Group has always been and will always be a family business. This strong commitment will remain with us for the next 100 years. As owners, we made this decision in 2016. The fourth generation in our family is now gradually stepping in to take the helm. I’d like to emphasize to you that the owners matter. Listen to the personnel, invest in a spirit of collaboration, always act responsibly, and look boldly ahead.
Our decision to make a commitment to family entrepreneurship has also driven our investments. Over the past ten years, we’ve made significant investments, totaling EUR 100 million, in domestic production, research, and technological development, even as the world around us has faced turmoil. These investments are now reflected in our innovations and in the promises we make for the future.
For example, we have a new heat exchanger factory in Jalasjärvi, and an R&D Center and fan production facility in Tampere. A world-class technology and logistics center is currently under construction in Tampere for our Industrial Solutions business area. Modern production and testing facilities will be completed for Chiller in Tuusula early next year. The new buildings make use of Chiller’s and Koja’s intelligent cooling, heating, and energy solutions, which promote carbon-neutral construction.
We explore and develop new solutions in cooperation with our customers and education institutions. In this context, data and artificial intelligence serve as valuable tools for us in developing new business operations.
Global upheavals have also opened new business opportunities for Koja Group through Finland’s NATO membership and the ICE Pact collaboration on icebreakers, for example. We’re moving forward confidently and enthusiastically.
Dear guests, the future will bring new opportunities and challenges in our operating environment, and we are ready. Thank you for being part of Koja Group’s story. Together, we’re building a brighter tomorrow. Once more—welcome, and have a wonderful evening!"
