HISTORY
The history of Lojer
From Finnish engineering roots to a global partner in healthcare equipment.
Our HISTORY
The milestones that shaped us.
From engineering roots to healthcare technology
Lojer’s story began in Finland in 1919 – long before healthcare technology became our business.
What began as Vammalan Konepaja has evolved over more than a century into an international healthcare technology company. Along the way, engineering and manufacturing have taken the company from water pumps to medical equipment and from Finland to international markets.
1919 – Where it all began
Niilo Ranni founded Vammalan Konepaja in 1919 in Vammala, Finland.
The company began by repairing and manufacturing a wide range of products. These early years laid the foundation for the engineering and manufacturing expertise that would shape its future.
From Finnish manufacturing to international markets
Over time, water pumps became an important part of Vammalan Konepaja’s business. Finnish-made NIRA pumps gradually found their way into international markets.
After Niilo Ranni’s death in 1953, his wife Anna Ranni took over the management of the company. Over the following decades, the business continued to develop and its international reach expanded.
A new direction – healthcare technology
A major turning point came in the early 1980s, when Vammalan Konepaja entered healthcare technology. One of the first steps was the development of a treatment table. The product found a market in Finland and later internationally, opening a new direction for the company.
In the late 1980s, Vammalan Konepaja acquired the manufacturing and marketing rights for Oy Lojer Ab hospital beds. Healthcare technology continued to grow and gradually became the core of the business.
Building the Lojer of today
In 1999, Medema Physio AB became part of the Group, strengthening the physiotherapy and rehabilitation business in Sweden and the Nordic market.
In 2006, Vammalan Konepaja became Lojer, bringing the company and its established healthcare brand under the same name.
In 2015, Norwegian Fysiopartner became part of Lojer Group, further strengthening the Group’s Nordic physiotherapy business.
Today, Lojer, Medema and Fysiopartner together form a leading Nordic distribution network for physiotherapy equipment and supplies.
Merivaara joins Lojer Group
Another important chapter began with Merivaara, a Finnish healthcare technology company with roots dating back to 1901.
In 2019, Lojer acquired Merivaara’s hospital bed business. In 2022, Merivaara became part of Lojer Group, expanding the Group’s expertise into operating room solutions.
Together, Lojer and Merivaara now bring Finnish R&D and manufacturing expertise to several areas of healthcare technology.
A story that continues
More than a century of experience gives us a foundation for what comes next.
From engineering and manufacturing to healthcare technology and international growth, Lojer’s history has been shaped by change. Today, we continue to develop medical equipment, solutions and services for the changing needs of healthcare.
Caring for life.