History

The Merima Story

Merima Ltd. was established in 1987 by Mauri Mäkiranta and Timo Nisonen. Both founders had acquired extensive experience of naval refurbishment at Wärtsila Marine. The business idea was to do what they knew best: supplying interior solutions to all kinds of ships.

The timing was ideal. Shipyards were increasingly subcontracting installation work, and there were only three noteworthy competing companies at the time. The growth-oriented company quickly set its target at becoming the business leader in Finland within five years. The target turnover, EUR 1.7 million (FIM 10 million at the time), was surpassed during the third year of operations.

The First Stormy Years

Merima’s first order was a complete interior solution for a mother ship of barge carriers, built at Wärtsilä Marine’s shipyards in Turku. The customer was a Soviet shipping company.

During its first year, Merima concentrated on supplying complete interior solutions to shipyards, but already in 1988 material deliveries were launched. A production unit for interior elements was established in Kerava. Merima received its first major turnkey order in 1989 when it supplied M/S Fantacy, which was built at the Wärtsilä Marine shipyards in Helsinki, with executive suites.

Turnkey Solutions

Shipyards increasingly began to use turnkey solutions, which turned out to be very profitable for Merima. With large orders worth up to tens of millions of FIM, entirely new growth prospects opened up to subcontractors skilled in turnkey bidding and project management.

An important step towards larger orders – and also larger risks – was M/S Sally Albatross, built at the Rauma Yards shipyards in 1992. Merima supplied this ship with two major turnkey interior solutions, including extensive restaurant, night club, shopping and entrance areas. The next step was the turnkey order for the Main Lounge theater to the luxury cruise ship M/S Sensation, built by Kvaerner Masa Yards at their Helsinki shipyards and delivered to CCL. This order was received already the following year.

A Decade of Major Growth

At the end of 1993, Merima moved into its current premises in Heikinlaakso, Helsinki. This was another important step for the company. Over 4,000 sq. m. of workshop and office space facilitated an increase in the number of employees. Production of materials was also increased and diversified. The turnover now reached EUR 30 million.

The Spirit and Voyager ship ranges built at Masa Yards in Helsinki and Turku were of crucial importance to Merima’s growth. The company was a major supplier of turnkey solutions for these ranges. Merima supplied approximately 4,500 sq. m. of public space to each one of six ships in the Spirit range, built at the Helsinki shipyards in 1999–2004. This included restaurants, pizzerias and leisure centers. The company also supplied approximately 4,500 sq. m. of public space to each one of five ships in the Voyager range, built at the Turku shipyards in 1997–2003, including theaters, restaurants and club areas.

Merima’s position as the main turnkey supplier of naval interiors in Finland finally became established when Merima was chosen as the supplier of practically all public space (altogether 6,000 – 8,200 sq. m.) to each one of three ships delivered to Tallink shipping by Aker Finnyards in Rauma in 2002–2006.

Operations in Hungary and the United States

The significance of exports for Merima was negligible until recent years. When the Hungarian office opened in 1989, a step towards expanding operations beyond the shipping industry was taken. The office was established in order to export Finnish house building materials and operating models to Hungary. Hotel Villa Katalin, completed in Budapest in 1991, was a specimen of Merima's skill.

An export company founded in 1991, Finnstyle Kft, represented the products of twelve Finnish companies in Hungary. When Hungary joined the European Union, Finland’s position as a business partner changed and Merima’s interests in Hungary lessened. Hotel Villa Katalin was given up in 2002, but refurbishment of public space continues through Finnstyle.

Also at home in Finland, Merima exploits experience gained from naval interior projects in the refurbishment of public space. The company focuses on turnkey solutions for hotels and restaurants, as well as separate areas and special furnishings for commercial and office premises.

The first export deal for a turnkey naval interior solution was made in 1998 with Germany. Merima supplied M/S Norwegian Sky, which was built by Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven, with a casino, an Internet café and a gallery.

Since 2002, Merima has invested much in the conversion of existing cruiser ships. The U.S. office was established to support this part of operations in 2003.

Top Professionals are Required

At present, Merima is a middle-sized, financially sound company and ranks among the world’s leading actors within naval refurbishment. The company believes in continued strong growth during the next five years, both in the ship building business and in Merima’s own operations. Cruise travel is increasing, and the demand for ships is estimated to grow steadily. Modern cruisers are superbly equipped small cities, the building of which requires the know-how of professionals from many different areas.

The basis for Merima’s success remains its solid and specialized know-how, its efficient project management so essential in large turnkey orders, and its customer-centered approach.