Antti Ahlström
Encyclopedia
Antti Ahlström
(7. November 1827, Merikarvia
– 10. May 1896, Helsinki
) founded the Ahlstrom
Corporation. He was one of Finland's
most influential and wealthy 19th century businessmen. In addition, Ahlström was an industrialist, ship owner, patron
, commercial counselor and legislator
.
Between 1866 and 1874, Antti Ahlström’s big business was shipping
; he became the largest shipowner in Pori
in 1871. It was in shipping that he earned the starting capital which he subsequently used to build his sawmill empire.
The purchase of the manor and iron works in Noormarkku
in 1870 was a milestone in Antti Ahlström’s career: the purchase sealed his status as an important businessman and a ‘lord of the manor’. One month after the deed of sale was signed, his wife Margaretha Ahlström died of a sudden illness. In the following year, Antti Ahlström married again, this time to a woman 20 years his junior, Eva Holmström.
Ahlström’s business grew rapidly due to major acquisitions, such as the iron works in Kauttua, Leineperi and Strömfors and the sawmills in Haminaholma, Suursaari and Tampere
.
Antti Ahlström was a socially active citizen, representing the bourgeoisie of the Town of Pori
at the Diet of the Estates in 1877-1878 and in 1894. He was awarded the highly distinguished honorary title of Commercial Counsellor in 1881. Ahlström and his wife made considerable donations to public schools and to public education to further the national interest, and to the arts, for instance to the Finnish National Theatre
and the Finnish National Opera
. The Ahlströms were also patrons to several Finnish artists, including Akseli Gallen-Kallela
.
When Antti Ahlström died on May 10 1896, he left behind a fortune estimated at 11,4 million Finnish marks, which was Finland's
largest at the time. Although difficult to estimate, this would likely be the equivalent of billions of Euro
today.
Antti Ahlström was a natural talent as a businessman and left an enormous industrial, ethical and secular legacy.
Ahlstrom
Ahlstrom is a Finnish wood processing firm and a global manufacturer of specialty papers and nonwoven materials, using natural and synthetic fibers to produce roll goods for customers who turn them into hundreds of products. Ahlstrom's shares have been traded on the main list of the Helsinki Stock...
(7. November 1827, Merikarvia
Merikarvia
Merikarvia is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the Satakunta region.The municipality has a population of and it covers an area of , ofwhich is water...
– 10. May 1896, Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
) founded the Ahlstrom
Ahlstrom
Ahlstrom is a Finnish wood processing firm and a global manufacturer of specialty papers and nonwoven materials, using natural and synthetic fibers to produce roll goods for customers who turn them into hundreds of products. Ahlstrom's shares have been traded on the main list of the Helsinki Stock...
Corporation. He was one of Finland's
Grand Duchy of Finland
The Grand Duchy of Finland was the predecessor state of modern Finland. It existed 1809–1917 as part of the Russian Empire and was ruled by the Russian czar as Grand Prince.- History :...
most influential and wealthy 19th century businessmen. In addition, Ahlström was an industrialist, ship owner, patron
Patrón
Patrón is a luxury brand of tequila produced in Mexico and sold in hand-blown, individually numbered bottles.Made entirely from Blue Agave "piñas" , Patrón comes in five varieties: Silver, Añejo, Reposado, Gran Patrón Platinum and Gran Patrón Burdeos. Patrón also sells a tequila-coffee blend known...
, commercial counselor and legislator
Legislator
A legislator is a person who writes and passes laws, especially someone who is a member of a legislature. Legislators are usually politicians and are often elected by the people...
.
Between 1866 and 1874, Antti Ahlström’s big business was shipping
Shipping
Shipping has multiple meanings. It can be a physical process of transporting commodities and merchandise goods and cargo, by land, air, and sea. It also can describe the movement of objects by ship.Land or "ground" shipping can be by train or by truck...
; he became the largest shipowner in Pori
Pori
Pori is a city and municipality on the west coast of Finland. The city is located some from the Gulf of Bothnia, on the estuary of the Kokemäenjoki river, which is the largest in Finland. Pori is the most important town in the Satakunta region....
in 1871. It was in shipping that he earned the starting capital which he subsequently used to build his sawmill empire.
The purchase of the manor and iron works in Noormarkku
Noormarkku
Noormarkku is a former municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Western Finland and was part of the Satakunta region. The municipality had a population of 6,158 and covered an area of of which is water. The population density was .Noormarkku is the birthplace of the Ahlstrom...
in 1870 was a milestone in Antti Ahlström’s career: the purchase sealed his status as an important businessman and a ‘lord of the manor’. One month after the deed of sale was signed, his wife Margaretha Ahlström died of a sudden illness. In the following year, Antti Ahlström married again, this time to a woman 20 years his junior, Eva Holmström.
Ahlström’s business grew rapidly due to major acquisitions, such as the iron works in Kauttua, Leineperi and Strömfors and the sawmills in Haminaholma, Suursaari and Tampere
Tampere
Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It is the most populous inland city in any of the Nordic countries. The city has a population of , growing to approximately 300,000 people in the conurbation and over 340,000 in the metropolitan area. Tampere is the third most-populous municipality in...
.
Antti Ahlström was a socially active citizen, representing the bourgeoisie of the Town of Pori
Pori
Pori is a city and municipality on the west coast of Finland. The city is located some from the Gulf of Bothnia, on the estuary of the Kokemäenjoki river, which is the largest in Finland. Pori is the most important town in the Satakunta region....
at the Diet of the Estates in 1877-1878 and in 1894. He was awarded the highly distinguished honorary title of Commercial Counsellor in 1881. Ahlström and his wife made considerable donations to public schools and to public education to further the national interest, and to the arts, for instance to the Finnish National Theatre
Finnish National Theatre
The Finnish National Theatre , founded in 1872 in the city of Pori, is located in central Helsinki on the northern side of the Helsinki Central Railway Station Square. It is the world's oldest theatre with performances in Finnish...
and the Finnish National Opera
Finnish National Opera
The Finnish National Opera in Helsinki is the leading opera company in Finland. Its home base is the Opera House on Töölönlahti bay in Töölö which opened in 1993, and is state-owned through Senate Properties...
. The Ahlströms were also patrons to several Finnish artists, including Akseli Gallen-Kallela
Akseli Gallen-Kallela
Akseli Gallen-Kallela was a Finnish painter who is best known for his illustrations of the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic . His work was considered very important for the Finnish national identity...
.
When Antti Ahlström died on May 10 1896, he left behind a fortune estimated at 11,4 million Finnish marks, which was Finland's
Grand Duchy of Finland
The Grand Duchy of Finland was the predecessor state of modern Finland. It existed 1809–1917 as part of the Russian Empire and was ruled by the Russian czar as Grand Prince.- History :...
largest at the time. Although difficult to estimate, this would likely be the equivalent of billions of Euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
today.
Antti Ahlström was a natural talent as a businessman and left an enormous industrial, ethical and secular legacy.