Fiskars
Finnish consumer-products company whose Fiskars brand is best known for orange-handled scissors, garden tools and household implements.
Last updated September 23, 2026
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Overview
Fiskars is a Finnish consumer-products company with origins in a 1649 ironworks established in the village of Fiskars, roughly 100 kilometres west of Helsinki. The enterprise began when Dutch merchant Peter Thorwöste received a charter from Queen Christina of Sweden to establish a blast furnace and forging operation. Its early output included pig iron, wrought iron, nails, wire, hoes and metal-reinforced wheels. Over the following centuries, the business moved between ironworking, copper processing, cutlery and other metal products as local resources and industrial conditions changed. A major nineteenth-century turning point came after apothecary Johan Jacob Julin acquired the ironworks and village in 1822. Under Julin, Fiskars expanded its industrial capabilities and founded Finland’s first cutlery mill in 1832. Production broadened from knives to forks and scissors, creating a foundation for the company’s later consumer-products identity. Fiskars was listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange in 1915 and has remained a publicly traded Finnish company. The modern Fiskars brand is particularly associated with its orange-handled scissors. The first pair was produced in 1967, after prototypes were tested with several handle colors. Employees selected orange, and the resulting color became a recognizable visual signature. Fiskars Orange was later protected as a trademark in Finland and the United States. The company internationalized the scissors business through a United States factory established in 1977 and subsequently developed a broad portfolio of cutting, gardening, crafting and household tools. Fiskars Group has also expanded beyond tools through acquisitions. Iittala and Leborgne joined the portfolio in 2007, strengthening kitchenware, tabletop and gardening activities. Royal Copenhagen was acquired in 2013, adding hand-painted porcelain and increasing the group’s exposure to Nordic and Asian markets. In 2015, Fiskars acquired the Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton group, bringing major luxury tabletop and home brands into the business. The group’s Living portfolio subsequently included brands such as Iittala, Wedgwood, Waterford, Royal Copenhagen, Arabia, Rörstrand and Royal Doulton, while Functional has included Fiskars and Gerber. The company is organized around two strategic business units: Living and Functional. Living focuses on tabletop, giftware and interior products; Functional develops tools for the home, garden, outdoors and crafts. Fiskars also reports an Other segment covering corporate activities, real estate and investments, and reports geographically across the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The group operates its own stores and online channels alongside third-party retail distribution. In the early 2020s, Fiskars changed leadership and worked to sharpen its growth strategy. A strategy announced at the end of 2021 concentrated attention on five priority brands: Fiskars, Iittala, Royal Copenhagen, Gerber and Moomin Arabia. The company completed the divestment of its American watering businesses, including Gilmour and Nelson, in 2022. It also invested in electric furnace technology at the Iittala glass factory, with the stated aim of reducing the factory’s carbon dioxide emissions. Fiskars Group remains active internationally, with its global headquarters in Espoo and a portfolio spanning functional tools and premium home and lifestyle products.
History
Fiskars traces its history to 1649, when Peter Thorwöste received permission from Queen Christina of Sweden to establish an ironmaking and forging operation at Fiskars in southern Finland. The works initially produced pig iron and converted it into wrought iron using water-powered machinery. Early products included nails, wire, hoes and reinforced wheels. Copper extraction later became important after deposits were found at nearby Orijärvi, but the mine’s resources declined and the original blast furnace closed in 1802. In 1822, Johan Jacob Julin acquired the ironworks and the surrounding village. He modernized the operation and redirected it toward iron processing. Fiskars established Finland’s first cutlery mill in 1832, expanding from knives into forks and scissors. This transition from basic iron production to manufactured household goods became a central part of the company’s long-term development. After Julin’s death, Fiskars was listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange in 1915. The company’s most recognizable product emerged in the 1960s. Fiskars developed lightweight scissors with molded plastic handles, producing the first pair in 1967. Several colors were considered before orange was selected through an internal decision process. The color later became known as Fiskars Orange and was registered as a trademark in Finland in 2003 and in the United States in 2007. A scissors factory in the United States, established in 1977, supported international growth. During the 2000s and 2010s, Fiskars evolved into a multi-brand consumer-products group. The acquisition of Iittala and Leborgne in 2007 strengthened kitchenware, tabletop and garden tools. Royal Copenhagen joined in 2013, adding premium porcelain, while the 2015 acquisition of the Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton group significantly expanded the Living portfolio. These transactions positioned Fiskars across both functional tools and premium home products. In the modern period, the company has operated through Functional and Living strategic business units. Functional includes Fiskars and Gerber products for gardening, cutting, crafting, outdoor use and household tasks. Living includes brands such as Iittala, Wedgwood, Waterford, Royal Copenhagen, Arabia, Rörstrand and Royal Doulton, with products spanning glassware, porcelain, tableware, gifts and interior décor. Leadership changed in 2020 when Jaana Tuominen left the CEO role. CFO Sari Pohjonen served as interim CEO before Nathalie Ahlström became president and CEO. A new strategy announced in 2021 emphasized five priority brands and the group’s own retail and digital channels. Fiskars completed the divestment of its Gilmour and Nelson watering businesses in 2022. The same year, it announced an electric-furnace investment at the Iittala glass factory to reduce dependence on natural gas and lower emissions. The group’s headquarters are now in Espoo, near Helsinki, and its products are sold in more than 100 countries.
- 2022
American watering businesses are divested
[1]The Gilmour and Nelson watering businesses leave the Fiskars portfolio.
- 2022
Iittala furnace electrification investment is announced
[1]Fiskars announces investment in electric furnaces at the Iittala glass factory to reduce emissions.
- 2021
Five-brand strategy is announced
[1]Fiskars identifies Fiskars, Iittala, Royal Copenhagen, Gerber and Moomin Arabia as priority brands.
- 2020
CEO transition takes place
[1]Jaana Tuominen leaves the CEO position, followed by an interim period led by Sari Pohjonen and the appointment of Nathalie Ahlström.
- 2015
Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton group is acquired
[1]Fiskars expands substantially in luxury home, tabletop and lifestyle products.
- 2013
Royal Copenhagen is acquired
[1]The acquisition broadens the group’s premium tableware portfolio and strengthens its Nordic and Asian presence.
- 2007
Iittala and Leborgne join the portfolio
[1]The acquisitions strengthen Fiskars in kitchenware, tabletop products and garden tools.
- 1977
United States scissors factory opens
[1]Fiskars establishes a U.S. manufacturing base to support international expansion.
- 1967
Orange-handled scissors are introduced
[1]Fiskars produces the first scissors that develop into its globally recognized orange-handled line.
- 1915
Fiskars becomes publicly listed
[1]Fiskars is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.
Products and positioning
Design-led, durable and functional consumer products combining practical utility with recognizable Scandinavian heritage.
Cutting tools · 1967
Orange-handled scissors
Introduced in 1967, Fiskars’ orange-handled scissors are the company’s signature product family. Their lightweight construction, molded handles and distinctive color helped make ordinary household and craft scissors recognizable design objects. The range includes general-purpose, sewing, children’s, school, professional and crafting variants.
Garden tools
Fiskars garden tools
Fiskars garden products include shears, pruners, axes, loppers, rakes, shovels and other tools for gardening and outdoor maintenance. The line applies the brand’s emphasis on ergonomic handling, durable materials and practical design to both everyday household gardening and more demanding outdoor work.
Craft and education supplies
Fiskars craft and school tools
This portfolio includes paper scissors, rotary cutters, punches, cutting systems and other tools used in sewing, scrapbooking, classroom work and creative projects. Products are designed for controlled cutting and repeated use, with variants aimed at children, hobbyists and more specialized makers.
Outdoor and utility tools
Gerber tools
Gerber is Fiskars Group’s outdoor and utility-tools brand. Its products include knives, multi-tools, cutting implements and equipment for outdoor, work and emergency applications. The brand complements Fiskars’ household and garden tools with a more strongly outdoor-oriented proposition.
Tableware and home products
Living portfolio
Fiskars Group’s Living business includes glassware, porcelain, tableware, gifts and interior products sold under brands including Iittala, Wedgwood, Waterford, Royal Copenhagen, Arabia, Rörstrand and Royal Doulton. The portfolio ranges from contemporary Nordic design to luxury and heritage tableware.
Brand decisions
2022
Divestment of Gilmour and NelsonM&ABackground
Fiskars continued to refine its portfolio around its strategic consumer-product categories.
Action taken
The company completed the divestment of its American watering businesses, including Gilmour and Nelson.
Aftermath
The divestment reduced the group’s exposure to the American watering segment.
2022
Electric furnace investment at IittalaStrategyBackground
The Iittala glass factory relied on natural-gas-powered furnaces and Fiskars sought to reduce production emissions.
Action taken
Fiskars announced a €10 million renewable-energy investment to replace existing furnaces with electric technology.
Aftermath
The company stated that the project was intended to reduce the factory’s annual carbon dioxide emissions by 74 percent by the end of 2026.
Investment. €10 million announced investment (2022 announcement)
2021
Focused five-brand strategyStrategyBackground
The company faced a need for clearer growth priorities and reported a period of declining net sales.
Action taken
Fiskars identified Fiskars, Iittala, Royal Copenhagen, Gerber and Moomin Arabia as priority brands and emphasized owned retail and e-commerce channels.
Aftermath
The strategy concentrated resources on selected brands and direct customer relationships.
2015
Acquisition of the Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton groupM&ABackground
Fiskars was expanding into premium and luxury home and lifestyle categories.
Action taken
The group acquired the Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton group of companies.
Aftermath
The acquisition materially expanded Fiskars’ Living portfolio in luxury tabletop and home products.
2013
Acquisition of Royal CopenhagenM&ABackground
Fiskars wanted to expand its premium tableware offering and strengthen its Nordic brand presence.
Action taken
The company acquired Royal Copenhagen.
Aftermath
The deal added hand-painted porcelain and increased exposure to Nordic and Asian markets.
2007
Acquisition of Iittala and LeborgneM&ABackground
Fiskars sought to strengthen its positions in kitchenware, tabletop products and garden tools.
Action taken
The group acquired Iittala and Leborgne.
Aftermath
The transactions broadened Fiskars’ consumer-products portfolio beyond its core tools business.
1967
Launch of orange-handled scissorsProduct launchBackground
Fiskars was developing lighter scissors with molded plastic handles and tested several handle colors.
Action taken
The company selected orange for the handles and introduced the first production model.
Aftermath
The color became a defining brand asset and was later registered as a trademark in Finland and the United States.
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