Insinöoritoimisto Mäkeläinen

In 1981, a recently graduated structural engineer named Lasse Mäkeläinen saw an opportunity in his home region of Kainuu, Finland, and founded Insinööritoimisto Mäkeläinen. The engineering office initially focused on the local area, building a reputation for tackling challenges head-on. This early success and ambition fueled expansion, leading to the opening of an office in the Helsinki region to serve a growing client base in the capital. A key turning point came as the firm embraced building information modeling (BIM) early on, a move that positioned them at the forefront of the industry. This foresight paid off, earning them international recognition with a Tekla BIM Award in 2012, an achievement they repeated the following year. Having reached a peak in structural design, the company sought a partner to revolutionize the broader construction field. This led to a significant chapter where the company joined forces with Lehto Group, experiencing a stock exchange listing and a period of rapid growth. However, the journey took another turn in early 2024. Amidst a corporate restructuring at Lehto Group, Insinööritoimisto Mäkeläinen was sold. In March 2024, the company's own management, along with Elvak Oy and Lehto Invest Oy, acquired the firm. This event marked a new beginning, returning the company to its independent roots while retaining the valuable experience gained from its journey through the public market and back.