Timberwise 25 years – a Finnish company dares to innovate while staying true to its roots and conquering Asia with premium floors

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Timberwise is widely recognized for its high-quality plank parquet floors. This The two-generation family business has always relied on eco-friendly Finnish wood material and design. But where is this milestone-reaching interior design brand headed next?

Rooted deeply in southwestern Finland, Timberwise continues to manufacture all its premium wooden products in Loimaa. Owner Markku Mäkitalo has an impressive 40 years of entrepreneurial experience. A former welder turned engineer and now Chairman of the Board, Markku was recently awarded the Finnish White Rose Knight’s Cross (SVR R). Still actively involved in the company’s daily operations, his expertise is unmatched — he knows the factory so well that even the faintest machine noise reveals potential issues to his trained ear. With the next generation, Laura Lankinen and Jaakko Mäkitalo, actively involved, and a new 2,000-square-meter production hall, Timberwise is well-positioned for sustained growth in the coming decades.

Today, Timberwise is Finland’s largest fully domestic industrial manufacturer of wooden floors. A prime example of this commitment to local materials is the entirely Finnish birch parquet collection, made exclusively from domestic wood from surface to core. “Ethics and sustainability have been guiding principles for Timberwise from the very beginning,” Markku Mäkitalo emphasizes when discussing the company’s dedication to responsibility. All timber used is certified and fully traceable. The plywood of the plank parquet’s middle layer is also of Finnish origin.

At the heart of Timberwise’s entrepreneurial spirit is its forward-looking vision. The past five years have brought significant global challenges. At this moment, the ambitious flooring company is increasingly focused on global markets—as it has been from the very beginning—with approximately half of its sales coming from international business. One standout success story is South Korea, a densely populated nation where demand for Timberwise’s products has surged. The company recently opened a Partner Showroom in Seoul—the second Timberwise showroom outside Finland. This growing interest has fueled the company’s readiness to take on even larger-scale ventures.

Over the last five years, Timberwise floors have become a staple of luxury interiors in South Korea. In 2019, the company delivered 28,000 m² of flooring for the prestigious Nine One Hannam project in Seoul. Since then, the pace has only accelerated, with the company supplying its largest single export order of 40,000 m² in 2022–2023 for Hyundai Construction’s exclusive Gaepo1 project. Currently, Timberwise is simultaneously delivering 65,000 m² of flooring for two premium projects, Posco and Hanyang. Additionally, the company is in the final stages of bidding for a contract exceeding 100,000 m², which, if secured, would be the largest project in Timberwise’s history. More pictures from the Showroom you can find here.

 

In Finland, Timberwise opened a stunning new showroom in Tampere in spring 2024, designed by interior architect Joanna Laajisto. Expanding its showroom operations beyond Helsinki marks the company’s commitment to offering more comprehensive customer service. The goal is to make the entire process of choosing and installing a premium plank floor seamless—from inspiration and selection to flexible delivery and installation—all under one roof.

 

Timberwise remains unwavering in its commitment to healthy living environments, ensuring indoor air quality without compromise. As a gift to the growing community of fans of non-toxic, all-wood floors, Timberwise has introduced a new, more affordable light-weight flooring collection for projects. This thinner, single-sanding floor option makes Finnish quality flooring accessible to more budgets. Additionally, the company unveiled new red oak material at the Habitare fair. The Red Oak Collection features four stunning new shades, perfectly suited for various homes.

For imagery of the new anniversary products, click here:

https://timberwise.kuvat.fi/i/arntETGxChZg6RUpuD4eYwSV9v2kBfmj