Ahola Transport CEO Åke Nyblom is Finland’s official Sleepyhead of 2026

National Sleepyhead Day was celebrated in Naantali on 27 July with traditional festivities, as Ahola Transport CEO Åke Nyblom was named Finland’s official Sleepyhead of 2026.

 

The Sleepyhead of 2026 was announced in the morning at the city port of Naantali. Dressed in red-striped pyjamas, Nyblom was carried on a stretcher by six people for about 50 meters and was ceremonially dumped into the sea, as tradition dictates.

 

After the event, Nyblom told Keskipohjanmaa that instead of feeling cold, the water was refreshing. Nyblom explained that he had already taken his first dip of the year in May.

 

From workshop to CEO

 

Nyblom’s career at Ahola Transport is a great example of the career paths that can be found at the company. He started working at the company in 1995, and through the years, his work has taken him everywhere from the workshop and special transport to driving forklifts, planning routes and managing maintenance.

 

In 2010, Nyblom started working as the Fleet and Site Manager in Naantali and in 2017, he was chosen as the Business Director. Since 2022, he has been the CEO of Ahola Transport.

 

In addition to skills from hands-on work, Nyblom has rounded out his education with dispatcher, safety advisor and freight traffic entrepreneurship trainings. He also graduated with an EMBA in 2023.

 

To Nyblom, the core of his leadership lies in clear organizational structures, leading by example, and operations that follow the company’s values. He believes that decisions should be based on facts.

 

“I believe in low organizational structures, where responsibility and trust go hand in hand,” Nyblom says.

 

When he first started at Ahola Transport, he would have never believed that one day he would be leading the company. However, the skills he learned at home growing up, such as assuming responsibility and diligent work, have taken him far. Nyblom would also like to attribute his success to the company owners for the opportunities he has been given.

 

“Ahola has the best people I know. They are great people to grow and work with.”

 

Sea and archipelago are in his DNA

 

Nyblom was born in Kokkola and spent a lot of his time growing up near the sea and the historic city center. He lived in Neristan and spent childhood summers in the Öja archipelago.

 

Nyblom moved to Naantali in 1997 and has lived in Viluluoto since 1999. The sea and archipelago have become an important part of his life in Naantali, so taking a dip as the National Sleepyhead seemed to be a natural path in his journey.

 

Nyblom grew up with his parents and four siblings, two of whom work at Ahola. Swedish was the family’s home language, and the environment provided a strong foundation for cooperation, a strong work ethic, and shared values.

 

Nyblom and his wife have four children: Emil, Ida, Nea and Oskar. The family has also served as crisis support and foster family, adding further responsibility and meaning to their lives.

 

On his spare time, Nyblom enjoys exercising, woodworking and playing golf.

 

Responsibility in everyday actions

 

Nyblom attributed the choice to his work, as well as the socially responsible work of Ahola Group.

 

Ahola organizes annual traffic safety days in schools in Naantali. In addition, the Group supports anti-bullying initiatives in Naantali and Kokkola together with Finland’s strongest man, Mika “El Toro” Törrö, as part of the Vahvat ei kiusaa (“The Strong Don’t Bully”) campaign.

 

“We would be delighted to see other companies join us in this important social responsibility effort,” Nyblom says.

 

Responsible operations are also promoted in the Group by moving towards electric transport equipment and by investing in employee wellbeing.

 

Ahola Group in short

 

Ahola is a Finnish family-owned company founded in 1955, and its leadership is now in the hands of the third generation of the Ahola family. The Group consists of Ahola Transport, Ahola Special, and Ahola Digital.

 

Ahola primarily operates in international industrial and commercial transport. Its main markets are the Nordic countries, the Baltics, and Central and Eastern Europe.

 

The fleet consists of approximately 500 vehicles, 96 percent of which fall into the lowest emissions category. The share of electric vehicles is also steadily increasing.

 

The family business is guided by the values of overall responsibility, openness, and respect for the individual.

 

Naantali is an important traffic hub

 

Ahola’s operations moved from Uusikaupunki to Naantali in 1997 alongside Finnlines’ ferry operations. In 2005, the company built its own garage in the Luolala industrial area.

 

During Ahola’s time in Naantali, the city has developed into an important hub for Nordic transport. Located close to the port,

Luolala has grown into a comprehensive logistics ecosystem that includes a transport hub, a Trucker’s Village, truck washing facilities, and charging infrastructure.

 

The area is also expected to see further investment in the coming years.

 

Long tradition

 

The National Sleepyhead Day is observed annually on 27 July. Each year, Naantali chooses a National Sleepyhead, who’s work has benefitted the city or society.

 

The tradition of the Sleepyhead Day or more commonly known as Seven Sleepers Day, traces back to the persecution of Christians, and the story of seven holy men that according to the legend, would sleep for 200 years. Today, National Sleepyhead Day is also a part of the city of Naantali’s spa tradition from the 1800s, when the city would organize a carnival for its guests.

 

As the spa business dwindled down, so did the tradition. In the 1950s, the tradition was brought back to life. Naantali has chosen an official National Sleepyhead every year since 1958.

 

We congratulate Åke Nyblom for this esteemed recognition!

 

Sources: Naantali city press release (STT Info, 27.7.2026); Keskipohjanmaa

 

Photo: City of Naantali / Ida Johansson