The Business
A versatile and constantly evolving glass and aluminum industry professional
Kaune Oy is a third-generation, family-owned business in the glass and aluminum industry that is specialized in demanding design, production and installation services for the interior and construction industry. We follow our key values – quality, expertise, and service, and we always strive to develop and evolve constantly. At the center of all our operations is our desire to help the customer realize their ambitious ideas, without compromising quality.
Known for reliability and strong specialization
Our customers know us for at least two things: reliability and diverse special skills. We are enthusiastic about every assignment, and no project is too large or too innovative for us. A hundred years of experience in the construction and shipbuilding industry is a steady foundation for a functional way of working and for creating customer service relationships
Our business’s operating concept is to combine traditional manual skills with the newest production methods, to constantly develop our products and fulfill our customer’s needs – from design all the way to execution.
Naantali, Finland
Headquarters
Italy
Aldo Galli, Agency
Germany
France
Agency
Miami, USA
Service site & Warehouse
Turkey
TBN, Agency
History
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Early Life and Foundations
Herman Anton Nieminen (1888–1963) was born in Naantali and trained as a metal worker at an artisan school between 1904 and 1908. Herman Anton Nieminen completed his journeyman qualification in 1909 and gained experience as an ornamental blacksmith in the atelier of artist Willy Baer. Herman Anton Nieminen also worked abroad in Nyköping, where he became familiar with the glass industry at Aktiebolaget Konstglas, and later in Berlin. In 1912, Herman Anton Nieminen returned to Turku and co-founded Taidetakomo ja lasittamo Baer & Nieminen together with Willy Baer.
1915-1919: Establishment of Kaune
In 1915, Herman Anton Nieminen continued the business independently and renamed it Kaune. Herman Anton Nieminen formally announced to the city of Turku his intention to manufacture fine metal works, glazing, and to establish a glass shop. By 1919, Kaune had grown enough to require its own premises, and a two-story building designed by August Krook was completed on Köydenpunojankatu in Turku.
1920s-1930s: Growth and Specialization
During the 1920s, Herman Anton Nieminen introduced the art of mirror-making to the company after a trip to Germany in 1920, and this became Kaune’s main production focus for decades. Kaune gained a strong reputation across Finland for high-quality silver-plated mirrors. Production also included artistic metalwork, decorative items, mounts, and lighting structures made from steel, copper, brass, and lead. The company continued to expand, culminating in a major building extension in 1938 with the construction of a three-story facility.
1940s-1950s: War Industry and International Expertise
After World War II, Auvo Nieminen, the son of Herman Anton Nieminen, graduated from technical school in 1945 and worked in shipbuilding at Oy Laivateollisuus Ab during the war reparation period. Through Auvo Nieminen’s involvement, Kaune began producing glazing and metal interior works for ships, contributing to the construction of 50 vessels. At the same time, Heljo Nieminen, another son of Herman Anton Nieminen, developed his expertise in the glass industry and gained international experience, including working in Sweden as a glazing master teacher between 1954 and 1956.
1963-1970s: Leadership Change and Modernization
Herman Anton Nieminen passed away in 1963, after which Heljo Nieminen became CEO of Kaune. Under Heljo Nieminen’s leadership, the company modernized its production through mechanization while maintaining respect for traditional craftsmanship. Heljo Nieminen also actively followed international developments in the glass industry and introduced new methods from countries such as Italy, England, Belgium, Germany, and the United States. Construction glazing, which had declined after the war, was revived in 1963 with projects such as the renovation of the glass ceiling of the Turku museum, and by the 1970s it had once again become a key part of the business.
1976-1994: Strengthening Market Position
After the death of Heljo Nieminen in 1976, Karl Erik Nieminen became CEO. During Karl Erik Nieminen’s leadership, Kaune strengthened its position as a reliable and skilled supplier in shipbuilding, house construction, and smaller industrial sectors. The company continued to build on its long-standing expertise in both glass and metalwork.
1994-2008: New Generation and Certification
In 1994, Heikki Nieminen became CEO, continuing the family leadership tradition. During this period, Kaune invested significantly in the shipbuilding industry. In 1996, Kaune Oy achieved certification for its first fire safety doors and glass structures. From the same year onward, Herman Anton Nieminen’s granddaughter Anita Saksi, together with Harri Saksi, took over the operational leadership of the company.
2008-2014: Modern Production and Foundation for Growth
In 2008, Kaune Oy relocated its operations to the Luolala industrial area in Naantali. The move to a modern 3000 m² production facility enabled improved production methods and the adoption of advanced machinery for working with glass, stone, and aluminum. Under the leadership of Anita Saksi and Harri Saksi, Kaune Oy focused on developing its production capabilities, refining its processes, and strengthening its position in both construction and shipbuilding industries. This period laid the groundwork for future expansion by combining traditional craftsmanship with increasingly modern and efficient production methods.
2015-2023: International Growth
From 2015 onwards, Kaune Oy has grown into an increasingly international company, particularly within the shipbuilding and hospitality industries. Under the leadership of Anita Saksi, Kaune Oy strengthened its expertise in demanding glass structures and certified fire-rated products while expanding its export business significantly. The company adopted a more systematic approach to internationalization, which led to rapid growth and a notable increase in turnover.
2024-Present: New Generation Leadership
A major milestone was reached in 2024 when Kaune Oy was awarded “Company of the Year” in the Varsinais-Suomi region, recognizing the company’s strong growth, expertise, and long-standing family business values. Around the same time, leadership transitioned to the fourth generation of the Nieminen–Saksi family, as Kalle Saksi became CEO and Mikko Saksi and Rebecca Saksi took on key roles within the company.
Today, Kaune Oy operates globally while remaining firmly rooted in Naantali, continuing to combine over a century of craftsmanship with modern technology and forward-looking business development.