History

Mecanil history

1969

First forest machine

First forest machine

Everything started in the 1960’s. The founder of Mecanil, Christer Nilsson, built his first forest machine; Valmet 700 with a trailer.

1970

The first real forwarder

The first real forwarder

The first real forest machine was bought. A Valmet 865 BK forwarder.
Business went well and more forest machines were bought in the beginning of the 70’s. For example a Valmet 870 CN.

1976

Business expanded

Business expanded

The business expanded and the first truck for special transports was bought, a Volvo 86.

1977

Valmet was replaced by Kockums

Valmet was replaced by Kockums

Valmet was replaced by a Kockums 84-31 and wood was transported from the islets in the archipelago.

1981

The first processor

The first processor

The first processor came to Eastern Finland. Christer bought a Kockums 82-55.

1984

First own harvester

First own harvester

Kb Christer Nilsson buys his first harvester. The first Kockums GSA 62 in Finland. The truck for special transports has also been upgraded.

1987

New workshop is built

New workshop is built

The amount of forest machines was now up to 10, so it was necessary to have a workshop to do service and repairs in. The new workshop was ready in 1987. It was built close to home in Liljendal, Finland.

1990

Mecanil was founded

Mecanil was founded

The company Mecanil was founded and the first mechanic was hired. Business was mainly to service and repair forest machines.

1991

Mecanil shop

Mecanil shop

A year after Mecanil was founded Mecanil opened its spare parts shop. New shop facilities was built beside the workshop. Mecanil sold all kinds of hydraulic and mechanic spare parts, oils and tools.

1992

Mecanil expands its business

Mecanil expands its business

Mecanil renovates an old gas station facilitiy and starts to do car service and repairs.

1995

New larger facilities – Co-operation with Valtra and Valmet

New larger facilities – Co-operation with Valtra and Valmet

Business expands and the old facilities become too small. New facilities including workshop, service space, office and shop are built. Now also co-operation with Valtra and Valmet begins.

1999

Second Mecanil shop opens

Second Mecanil shop opens

Mecanil opens a second shop in Tammisaari, Finland. Service and repairs of Valtra and Valmet machines are also done here.

2000

Import and sales of forest related products

Import and sales of forest related products

Mecanil expands its business and starts importing forest related products to Finland. Grapples, grabs, buckets, rotators etc. was now imported and sold in Finland.

2003

Facilities are enlarged

Facilities are enlarged

The workshop in Liljendal, Finland is enlarged with a bigger shop and an area to wash machines in.

2006

Mecanil starts manufacturing own products

Mecanil starts manufacturing own products

Mecanil starts its own production line of Mecanil energy wood felling heads. Export to Sweden starts almost right away thanks to good co-operation with dealers.

2008

First Mecanil grapple saw is manufactured

First Mecanil grapple saw is manufactured

Mecanil starts to manufacture grapple saws and fire wood grapples. Mecanil products are now exported to many countries in Europe. The business in Tammisaari, Finland are sold due to restructuring. Mecanil invests more resources on its own production.

2010

Co-operation with John Deere Forestry Oy Ab

Co-operation with John Deere Forestry Oy Ab

Mecanil starts a collaboration with John Deere Forestry Oy Ab in Europe. This means all Mecanil products are approved for mounting on new John Deere machines.

2015

Generational switching begins gradually

Generational switching begins gradually

From the beginning of 2015 generational switching begins gradually. Owners Christer Nilsson and his wife Ilse Nilsson are still the main shareholders. Their children, Pamela Nilsson-Nordström and Staffan Nilsson, and Pamela’s husband Roland Nordström, are now also shareholders in the company.

Manufacturing and sales of own products now accounts for about 65% of the company’s turnover. Mecanil products are now exported to Europe, North America and Australia etc.

2020

Mecanil 30 years

Mecanil 30 years

A lot has happened in 30 years. As the company has developed and grown we have got the opportunity to meet a lot of colleagues, professionals and business partners. Some of you have been there for a part of the journey and then continued on with projects of your own. Others have been there from the start, and some of you have become our very close friends.

Mecanil started out servicing machines and after some time rebuilding of machines was added to the effort. Today we produce and develop our own products for the tree felling and tree care industry. We plan everything in-house and produce the majority of the components in-house or via local subcontractors. Our products have gotten a warm welcoming and a strong foothold all around the world.
We will continue to work hard on developing and updating our products, always trying to find ways to improve and optimize.
Mecanil – Mastering tree care.