Story
Responsible beverage production since 1990
Pramia, a family company from South Ostrobothnia, has been producing responsibly produced drinks for 34 years. The manufacturing method of our products is unique on a global scale. We develop and make all our products ourselves, with our own wind power and respecting nature in Kurikka, Ilvesjoki. Responsibility is the most central value in the development of our business operations. We have been selected as the most ecological alcohol company in the world.
COMPANY IN NUMBERS
Turnover (million €)
Operating profit (million €)
Employees
7,4
2,3
17
Pramia's fast-paced years
1990
Sahti Mafia is established. Our first product is sahti wort which is sold directly from the brewery.
1991
Ready-made sahti becomes available at Alko.
1992
We begin producing a low-alcohol beer called Wanhanajan vaarinkalja and expand the sahti brewery.
1995
Sahti Mafia receives the first manufacturing authorization for alcohol in Finland after the alcohol monopoly is dismantled.
We begin selling sahti directly from the brewery and distilling fortified spirits.
First moonshine, or pontikka, sold legally in Finland becomes available at Alko under the name Ilves Pontikka.
1996
Our first liqueur is the Pähkinätoffee toffee liqueur with 21% ABV.
We join Alko’s glass bottle recycling program.
We open a presentation distillery in Ilvesjoki.
1997
Sahti Mafia name is changed to Pramia.
We are the first small brewery to join the Finnish Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry’s bottle pool.
1998
Pramia receives the Jalasjärvi Entrepreneur of the Year award.
We expand our bottling plant: we build a new bottling and washing line with a capacity of 12,000 bottles per hour. We begin selling our 4.7% ABV cider and long drink in retail stores.
1999
We begin to produce and sell 4.7% ABV ciders and the first flavored long drinks in Finland.
2001
We invest in a tracking system using high-speed camera technology and a robot palletizing system for glass bottles.
2002
We launch a strawberry punch in a 5-liter keg with tap on to the market. We expand our warehouse by 1,500 m².
Our restaurant Mihinä Moon is completed.
2003
New offices and the plant’s airfield are completed.
2004
We become the first plant producing fortified alcoholic beverages in Europe to manufacture their own PET bottles in their own factory. We place a newspaper advertisement seeking 30 taste testers for alcohol beverages. We receive 1,500 applications.
2006-2007
We invest 2 million euros in new production equipment.
One person is able to bottle 5,000–9,000 bottles per hour.
2007
We cease washing glass bottles and begin using environmentally friendly PET plastic bottles for all of our products.
We join Palpa’s KMP program and receive ISO 9001:2002 certification.
2008
We receive the Southern Ostrobothnia Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Pramia establishes a subsidiary in Sweden called Pramia Ab.
2009
We set up our own wind power plant on Kettukallio, producing a nominal output of 750 kWh. We build our own electrical network between the wind power plant and our factory, using our own digger.
Pramia establishes a subsidiary in Norway called Pramia As.
Pramia purchases a plane (OH-BRA) to facilitate export.
Pramia places a newspaper advertisement seeking export manager. We receive 1,200 applications.
2011
First sample lot of Gaía organic vodka is sent to America.
2012
The Spirits Green Company of the Year award crowns Pramia as the world’s most ecological alcohol producer.
Gaía vodka wins the award for best organic vodka launch in the American market and silver in a blind taste test in Cannes. Pramia is certified as a plant producing organic product in the European and American markets. We produce our first organic vodkas and liqueurs. Pramia establishes a subsidiary called Pramia Plastic, a recycled plastic factory, in Toholammi. Its product lines include washing, granulation, and bottle preform production.
2013
Pramia Plastic expands its warehouse by 15,500 m³. After expansion, the factory’s total floor space is 8,800 m².
To facilitate communication between the factories, Pramia Plastic builds a grass-covered airfield next to the factory in Toholammi.
2015
Pramia Plastic invests 3 million euros in new production equipment and begins to manufacture extremely high-quality domestic plastic packing strap.
2016
Pramia Plastic’s online store opens.
70% of the group’s turnover consists of export. We begin to export mulled wine in to Norway.
With Ilves Joe, Pramia begins producing specialty beers.
Pramia is the third fastest growing company in the Pirkanmaa and Southern and Central Ostrobothnian regions. We are number 19 in the whole country.
Pramia receives the respected Kauppalehti Achiever certificate. The certificate is an acknowledgement of the choices we have made on our long journey, as the reasoning describes our company as a supporting pillar of Finnish competitive ability and development. Pramia achieves FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification.
2017
Pramia entrepreneur Marko Mäkinen is the elected chairman of Alkoholijuomateollisuus (AJT), the Finnish alcoholic beverage industry association. The company’s logistics distribution centre moves from Helsinki to Turku. At the end of the year, Pramia submits a takeover bid for Altia’s entire share capital to the Prime Minister’s Office.
2019
Pramia Plastic Oy is awarded as Toholammi’s entrepreneur of the year 2019, chosen by Toholammi Entrepreneur registered association 29.11.2019.
2020
Pramia starts a Factory Outlet which is located at Pramia alcoholic beverage plant. Factory Outlet provides information about our story, the journey of recycled PET to become a rPET bottle and our acts of responsibility. Café and serving of alcoholic beverages available at the outlet.
2021
Ownership of Pramia and Pramia Plastic changes as the next generation of Mäkinen family takes the lead. Tero Mäkinen starts as the CEO of both companies and Mari Mäkinen takes the charge of investments operations of Pramia. Marko Mäkinen continues as the Chairman of the Board of both companies.
2022
Pramia is expanding its production to beers, and we acquired automatic brewing equipment. Pramia Lager 4.5% is the first to be added to the selection. After a long break, we are also starting to make sahti again.
Pramia Plastic wins the regional entrepreneur award of Central Ostrobothnia.
A terrace and a sandy beach will be completed next to the factory store.
2023
Pramia Plastic wins the national company of the year award.
2024
The yard of the factory and the store will be renovated and new asphalt will be laid. The airport connected to the factory will also be renovated and asphalted.