History
From Vision to a Successful Family Business
Transmeri Group is a Finnish family-owned company founded in 1928, with a long tradition of successful product launches and creating significant market positions. Our long-term approach and deep market knowledge have enabled the success of our brands. Together with our partners, we have established a strong position for thousands of products in the Finnish and Baltic markets.
Transmeri established its first long-term principal relationships with SC Johnson in 1931 and Chanel in 1933. These agreements have lasted to this day. Throughout its nearly 100-year history, Transmeri has created several success stories in the Finnish market.
From Generation to Generation
Danish businessman Gunnar Didrichsen founded Transmeri in 1928. At that time, as the founder himself described, “Finland was just a white spot on the map,” but the visionary who had traveled the world and studied in Europe saw opportunities for success in the region and decided to start a business.
Gunnar Didrichsen served as Transmeri’s CEO for 60 years, from the company’s founding until 1988. After Gunnar stepped down from the CEO position following a long and successful career, his son Jon Didrichsen followed in his father’s footsteps, serving as the company’s CEO from 1988 to 2009. The youngest of the Didrichsen family and the only daughter, Ann Marie Didrichsen, served as Transmeri’s CEO from 2009 to 2013.
The work started by Gunnar Didrichsen has been continued by all four of his children and their families, and now the third generation is continuing the business and has stepped in as responsible owners. Transmeri Group is not just a company or a workplace; it is the Didrichsen family’s second home, with all family members influencing its future.
Growth and Changes
In addition to organic growth, Transmeri Group has grown through acquisitions. Transmeri owned the hairdressing wholesaler Hakanit Oy from 1982 to 2008, which was sold to Schwarzkopf.
In 1992, Transmeri established the wholesale company AS Kaupmees in Estonia. Initially, Kaupmees was a joint venture, but it is now wholly owned by Transmeri Group.
In 2009, Transmeri acquired Banmark Oy, founded in the 1970’s, which imports and sells its own products, serving the forest and process industries. Banmark has grown by acquiring, among others, Insalko’s industrial division in 2014, Kiertopaine Oy in 2017, Iron Bridge Oy in 2019, a majority stake in Hämeen Öljykeskus Oy, and the entire share capital of Orat Oy.
Transmeri Group expanded into the import of leisure and sportswear by acquiring Oy Sultrade Ltd in 2011. At the same time, the group welcomed its own leisure brand Catmandoo.
In 2014, Transmeri acquired the hair product manufacturer Miraculos Oy, whose own brand Four Reasons accounts for the majority of the company’s turnover.
At the beginning of the same year, Transmeri was demerged, and the former parent company Oy Transmeri Ab was divided into three parts: Oy Transmeri Ab, Oy Transmeri Logistics Ab, and Oy Transmeri Group Ab. Today, the largest subsidiaries of the group’s parent company, Transmeri Group, are Oy Transmeri Ab, Oy Cosmia Nordic Ab, Miraculos Oy, Oy Banmark Ab, and Kaupmees Group.
In recent years, Transmeri has often grown through acquisitions; in 2016, the import company Ibero Oy and in 2017, Jalo pet products. A new broader growth direction was found in 2017 when Transmeri acquired Natcos Oy, an importer of natural cosmetics. In 2018, Transmeri further increased its ownership in the Latvian natural cosmetics manufacturer Madara to 23 percent.
In 2019, Transmeri acquired the natural cosmetics importer Oy NHS Nordic Health Systems Ab, and Banmark acquired a majority stake in Hämeen Öljykeskus Oy. Today, Banmark owns the entire share capital of Hämeen Öljykeskus (now Banmark Voiteluaineet Oy).
In 2021, Transmeri acquired the Biozell hair care brand and business from Norlas Oy and sold Oy Sultrade Ltd, simultaneously exiting the sports retail sector. Kaupmees acquired VL Holding OÜ, strengthening its position as the leading supplier in the Estonian food service sector and complementing its product range and logistics capacity.
In 2021, the Banmark sub-group acquired the business of Ravatek Oy, and in 2023, part of the business of Leipomo Oy, merging them into Orat Oy. In 2024, the Banmark sub-group acquired the business of Kapotek Oy and merged it into Banmark Voiteluaineet Oy.
Nature of Business
The roots of Transmeri Group lie in the import and B2B trade of products, which still forms the core of the group’s business. Our group companies import well-known international brands to Finland and develop their own domestic brands. Over the years, alongside imports, the companies’ own brands have also been developed, which are now also exported abroad. Through online stores, our business now also includes direct consumer sales (B2C). The common goal of both imported and own brands aimed at consumers is to create a better everyday life for Finns.
Manufacturing and Product Development
Transmeri has had its own manufacturing and product development from very early stages. In 1932, Transmeri moved to rented premises in the Stockmann building in central Helsinki. At that time, a 60-square-meter warehouse and production space was rented across the street.
In 1949, the construction of Transmeri’s factory began in Lauttasaari, Helsinki, between Melkonkatu and Itälahti. As production grew, more space was needed, and at some point, a decision had to be made on where to continue manufacturing. After considering various options, things progressed so that in 1983 new premises were completed in Kilo, Espoo.
In the early 2000’s, it became clear that the current premises no longer met future needs. Therefore, Transmeri built a new production facility in Piispankylä, Vantaa, in 2007. The property currently houses Cosmia Nordic; product development, manufacturing, and internal logistics, as well as Banmark’s office. The offices of Transmeri Group and Transmeri are located in Säteri, Espoo.
Internationality
Transmeri Group has been very international since its founding, as the group’s core business has always been the import of various products. Sales abroad have also increased over the years, and the group’s subsidiaries now have companies and offices in Sweden, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and China.
