One August night in 1929 Emil Höglund and Edvin Wiik were sitting at the Finnström Inn in Maksamaa discussing their future. They were both in the timber business, Emil Höglund as a clerk at Hellnäs sawmill and Edvin Wiik as an independent buyer selling timber to the sawmills. Their discussions that night led to the establishment of the Wiik & Höglund Timber Company on 28th August 1929. Edvin Wiik, born in 1897 to a farmer in Teerijärvi, and Emil Höglund, born 1901 to a tailor in Pietarsaari rural district, became partners who would work side by side for the rest of their lives.
It was, however only after the Second World War that the Group moved into plastics with the manufacture of plastic floor tiles. Further diversification into pipes ensued, and in 1955 the first polyethylene pipes were delivered to customers.
In 1976 KWH Pipe became the first company in the world to successfully manufacture 1600mm diameter extruded, solid wall, polyethylene pipes. Even today, KWH Pipe remains one of the few manufacturers who can produce this diameter of pipe.
KWH Pipe supplies plastic pipes into an extensive international market from water supply and drainage to piping for district heating and gas distribution. In addition, the company manufactures PVC pipes for the Scandinavian market and a range of machines for butt fusion welding of polyethylene pipes.
Latterly, KWH developed Weholite®, an innovative lightweight pipe for non pressure applications, which can be manufactured up to 3 metres in diameter. To meet the global demand, increasing numbers of Weholite manufacturing plants has been established world-wide.
With a major share of the world polyethylene pipe market, eleven manufacturing centres and four sales offices in twelve countries and an increasing number of Weholite licensees world-wide, KWH Pipe remains committed to consolidating and expanding its market share and to continue the development of polyethylene pipes for the international construction industry.
KWH Pipe
KWH Pipe manufactures PE and PVC based pipes and pipe systems for e.g. water supplies, sewage and gas lines as well as pre-insulated pipe systems for district heating distribution. KWH Pipe also develops and markets production equipment and technology related to the pipe business. About 30 group and associated companies are consolidated in the Pipe Group.