Pöyry history

1958: Pöyry's history dates back to 1958 when the Forest Owners' association asked Dr Jaakko Pöyry and his associates to do the basic engineering for a new sulphate pulp mill at Äänekoski, in Finland. Over one night they accepted the challenge. The first project was successful and was soon followed by the Fiskeby pulp mill project in Sweden. Pöyry grew internationally in the early years.

1960s: The 1960s was a period of expansion for the Nordic forest products industry, and consulting services were in high demand. In 1962, the company expanded its operations further, establishing its first office outside Finland in Stockholm. The company continued its internationalisation in Europe, setting up new offices in France and the United Kingdom, for example. In 1966 the company established a development and investment planning division, which focused on serving forest industry clients in formulating strategic plans and giving them decision-making support. The division's range of services was gradually expanded, and it is today an important part of the Forest Industry business group.

1970s: In the early 1970s the company became one of the largest independent consulting engineering organisations in the world serving the forest-based industries. Under the leadership of Dr Pöyry, the Group acquired a thorough knowledge of every aspect of the pulp, paper and other forest products industries world-wide. In 1973, Pöyry won an important pulp mill engineering project in Brazil. This marked the beginning of the Group's expansion in South America. By the end of 1970s, the company employed more than 1200 people.

1980: Pöyry continued to expand in Europe and elsewhere in the world, participating actively in the forest industry's internationalisation. Subsidiaries were established in the United States, Southeast Asia and Australia.

1985: Pöyry started expanding its local service activities and network. The local office network employed a total of about 2000 people.

1993: A strategic decision was made to expand the Group's activities into new business sectors: energy, infrastructure and environment. In the same year, following this strategic decision, the Group acquired the Finnish companies Ekono Energy Ltd and Soil and Water Ltd. These companies are today part of the Energy and Infrastructure & Environment business groups.

1997: In December, Pöyry became a publicly listed company, listing its shares on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. In September, Pöyry acquired a 49 per cent interest in the Swiss consulting engineering company Electrowatt Engineering AG.

1999: In January, Pöyry expanded its previously acquired 49 per cent interest in Electrowatt Engineering AG to 100 per cent. Electrowatt Engineering is today an important part of the Energy and Infrastructure & Environment business groups.

2009 Pöyry announces new vision: To be the global thought leader in engineering balanced sustainability for a complex world.

Today: Pöyry is a leading global consulting and engineering company dedicated to balanced sustainability. We offer integrated management consulting, total solutions for complex projects and best-in-class design and supervision. Our in-depth expertise extends to the fields of energy, industry, urban & mobility and water & environment.