70 Years of Reliable Logistics – Our Journey to a Sustainable Future

In 2025, Ahola Group celebrates a significant milestone: its 70th anniversary as a trailblazer in the logistics industry. Over the decades, our family business has grown from a local transport company to an international logistics group renowned for its innovation, responsibility, and commitment to the success of its customers.

 

The Road from Founding the Company to Becoming an International Operation

 

It all began in 1955 when Helge Ahola recognised the demand for transport services in Finland. He began transporting gravel and other materials, responding to the needs of the growing welfare state.

 

The founder’s relentless work and professionalism laid the foundation for the company that his sons Hans, Lars, Nils, and Rolf would one day join.

 

In 1973, Ahola expanded its operations abroad for the first time by starting shipments to Sweden. This was the beginning of the company’s international growth, which has remained strong to this very day.

 

Strategic Choices and Technological Development

 

 

In the 1980s, Ahola made significant strategic decisions that guided the company towards comprehensive logistics solutions. The question was: “Is this business about transporting goods by lorry, or about providing an unbroken logistical chain of responsibility?”

 

This insight led to the development of the company’s own IT-based ERP system, Attracs Online, in the 1990s, which would provide the company with more efficient and profitable transport solutions.

 

This digital trailblazing has made it possible to optimise and monitor shipments in real time, which in turn has supported both the company’s growth and our customers’ business operations.

 

Responsibility and Environmental Performance

 

Responsibility has been an integral part of the company’s operations since the mid-1990s. Our commitment to the green transition has increased even further in recent years.

 

The company’s fleet already includes fully electric trucks that regularly operate between Finland and Sweden, as well as an innovative eTrailer that significantly reduces transport emissions.

 

In addition, the Engineering service launched by Ahola Special in 2023 lets us plan special transports in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

 

Taking care of the well-being of our personnel is a key part of our responsibility strategy. For example, the Trucker’s Village in Naantali provides drivers with modern and comfortable break rooms. Ahola Group also actively invests in the professional development of its employees and the continuous updating of their skills.

 

Generational Transfer and Future Prospects

 

In 2022, Hans Ahola, who led the company for decades, became the Chairman of the Board, and Ida Saavalainen was appointed as the new Group CEO. This change brought fresh insight and new ways of working to the company, while its core values of overall responsibility, transparency, and respect for the individual remained at the heart of the business.

 

Ahola Group is facing the future boldly. The company will continue its active development work in digital solutions, the green transition, and customer-oriented service.

 

We wish to thank all our customers and partners for joining us on this journey, and to invite them to join us for the decades to come.