HISTORY
THE COMPANY AND ITS GROWTH
The Liljeqvist family has had a significant role in the development of the Kasnäs cape. The family started fish farming in the 1980s in Hiittinen (Hitis) and by the end of the decade (1989) they had bought a fish processing factory, which they named as Ab Salmonfarm Oy.
The business has expanded over the years in all its operations. The most prominent investments have been the Kasnäs Hotel and Spa in 2000 and 2005 as well as the building of the fishmeal factory in 2015.
Today, the company is being led in the second generation by Wilhelm Liljeqvist. The family company´s plans are long-term.
HISTORY
In 1983 Jörgen Liljeqvist founded his first fishery. The rainbow trout was his chosen fish.
A few of years later, in 1989, the Liljeqvist family bought KWH Freeze Oy Ab and thus, expanded into fish processing and the feed business. This deal reinforced their position in the industry. During the early years, the main customers were institutional kitchens and the fur industry to which, the company provided fish used for feed.
During the 1990s the company was slowly being developed. Rainbow trout became the most important product. In 1995 the company decided to expand into cold-smoked and gravad products. With this, export into Sweden grew and the company gained a significant market share of the rainbow trout products in Sweden.
From the decade commencing in 2010 started a new era of business development when the current CEO, Wilhelm Liljeqvist, became on board full-time. The company was reshaped and during the years of 2012-2013 the ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 22000 were implemented, and the self-regulation methods revamped.
In 2015 started one of the most significant investments in the company´s history when the fishmeal and fish oil factory was built in Kasnäs. The investment was worth around 8 million euros and created 15 new jobs. The investment received circa 3 million euros of funding (EU and Kalastusrahasto).
The years 2016, 2017 and 2018 have seen strong growth due to the fishmeal investment and favourable market conditions.
SALMONFARM TODAY
Today Salmonfarm has 56 permanent employees. During the season, the staff number is over 70. The group (hotel business included) employs around 75 people permanently and with the seasonal staff, the annual employee number rises up to 140.
The predicted turnover for the year 2018 is circa 30 million euros for the fish business, and for the group, around 35 million euros.
HISTORY OF THE SUBSIDIARY – AB KASNÄSUDDEN OY
The subsidiary, Ab Kasnäsudden Oy, is part of the corporation. The company was bought in 1995. At the purchase time, the company consisted of a little shop, restaurant and a marina.
The travel business has been developed over the years. A 30-room hotel opened in 2000 and the spa in 2005. Also, the marina has seen expansion over the years as well as the hotel. A tiny marina has been built into one of the most popular full-service stops in the archipelago, with 450 berths.
