Window and door manufacturer Skaala started its operations in Southern Ostrobothnia in 1956 and has since become one of Finland’s most well-known window and door brands. Production in Finland and  top-quality materials are still at the heart of Skaala’s operations.

The story of Skaala began in 1956, when Otto Hautanen from Ylihärmä founded a local company that manufactured carpentry products. The product range initially included garden furniture and ironing boards. Windows and doors were added to the product range in the early 1960s. At this point, the sales of garden furniture and ironing boards were nationwide, and windows and doors were delivered only to local customers. Quality and customer satisfaction are still at the heart of Skaala’s operations.

In the 1970s, windows and doors became more important for the company’s business, and gradually other carpentry products were phased out of production. In 1977, Otto’s oldest sons, Jarmo Hautanen and Hannu Hautanen, joined the company’s operations.

The factory at the industrial estate in Ylihärmä was extended more than once during 1980s. The company focused on window manufacturing and was the first Finnish manufacturer to have integrated custom production lines for windows. At the end of the decade, the company began manufacturing insulation glass units and treated glass and Skaala had grown into a medium-sized national operator in the window manufacturing industry.

The modernisation of production and management processes continued as the factory was expanded with a new surface treatment line. The custom manufacturing concept was developed, new machining lines were introduced, a new insulation glass unit factory launched and the Lean method was adopted in manufacturing processes.

Product quality was a priority, as Skaala became the first Finnish company to adopt the new ‘quality wood’ material concept.

The Skaala brand was launched and the company began exporting. Its main clients were Finnish log house manufacturers.

In 2000s Skaala continued to grow and became one of the leading manufacturers in the Nordic countries. The company opened sales offices in the UK and Sweden. Skaala received multiple awards relating to innovations, business growth and employment.

A number of factory expansions were carried out, and the business grew to include internal doors and installation services. The main factory site in Ylihärmä was extended to house a new door factory and logistics unit.

The company focused on product development, and continued to garner industry awards, i.e. The Skaala Frostfree energy window. Skaala windows received recognition: the MERA low-energy apartment block concept in Espoo.

Skaala continued to invest in its factories and developed the environmental programme. The new factory expansion and state-of-the-art glass line in Ylihärmä were inaugurated at Skaala’s 60th anniversary gala in 2016.

In 2017, the Austrian IFN Holding Ag group acquired majority holding in Skaala. Today Skaala is a part of the IFN group that offers a comprehensive product range that spans from windows and exterior doors to facades and sun protection systems, making them a complete supplier for construction projects around the world. The group is characterized by a number of prominent brands that each contribute with unique expertise and innovation to the collective offering.