A future built
on solid ground
Karhula Industrial Park is Finland's largest and oldest continuously operating industrial community — more than 130 years on the same 80 hectares. Around 60 companies and 2000 employees, less than a kilometre from the E18 motorway between Kotka and Hamina.
80 ha — KarhulanniemiThe area
The park began in 1887, when William Ruth started industrial operations on the Karhulanniemi peninsula.
Glass was made in Karhula continuously from 1889 to 2009. In the 1930s the focus shifted to art glass, and Finland's leading designers worked here — Gunnel Nyman, Göran Hongell, A. W. Finch, Yrjö Rosola and both Aino and Alvar Aalto. It was in Karhula that Alvar Aalto arrived at the shape that became the Savoy vase.
Almost the whole span of Finnish industrial architecture is visible in and around the park. The oldest factory buildings now sit inside newer structures, but the red workers' houses on William Ruthin katu were built as industry started, at the turn of the 1890s.
Space and plots
Halls and workshops
Large halls and workshop space suited to heavy industry, with cranes and existing utility connections.
Cold and semi-heated warehouses
Under a kilometre from the E18 motorway, halfway between Kotka and Hamina. The site is fenced, guarded and under 24/7 camera surveillance.
Office and retail space
Some 3000 m² of wooden-house character along William Ruthin katu and Antintie. Units from 16 m² upwards.
Companies on site share significant synergies in logistics, security, and maintenance services. For advice on moving to the area, contact Coor Service Management, tel. +358 10 234 3400. Free business advice for the Kotka–Hamina region is available from Cursor Oy, tel. +358 40 190 2500.
…and 48 more — 60 companies across many sectors
The association
Karhulan Teollisuuspuistoyhdistys ry is the joint body of the companies in the park. Both companies and individuals can be members.
Its task is to look after the park's heritage, history and industrial culture, and to develop the spirit, communication and wellbeing shared across the companies. The association also maintains the Karhula factories' photographic archive — thousands of images from the late 1800s to the 2000s, published at karhujatahti.fi.
Contact and visiting
Coor service centre
Antintie 7, 48600 Kotka, Finland
+358 10 234 2121
palvelukeskus.karhula@coor.com
Speed limit 30 km/h
Normal traffic rules, particular care and low speeds apply throughout the factory area.
Safety instructions (PDF, FI) »Visiting the area
Entry to the factory area is only through the official gates. Visitors must be prepared to present a pass or other proof of identity, and to state the purpose of their visit.
Report to the service centre at Antintie 7 before entering. The service centre will contact your host, issue a visitor pass and give any guidance you need. You do not need to report back when leaving — there is a locked mailbox at the vehicle gate for returning passes. Vehicles delivering goods do not need a separate pass. Parking is permitted only in marked P areas.
