Essis by Lasilinkki – Leading the way in handmade artisan glass in interior design
Lasilinkki Oy, a Finnish family business with over 40 years of history, launched its interior glass brand Essis by Lasilinkki in 2010. In the hands of third-generation entrepreneur Essi Sundman, Essis has become one of the most well-known decorative glass experts in Finland. Now, the company aims for growth abroad, focusing on unique, handcrafted artisan and recycled glass solutions rather than traditional decorative glass products.
”Beginning to export has been one of the biggest dreams of my entrepreneurial journey so far. I have lived abroad myself and know that Finnish design and design skills are highly appreciated worldwide. For years, I have seen first-hand as an employee and now in recent years as the CEO how our team has grown and evolved as the world changes around us.
We have invested a lot in the manufacturing, development, productization, and design of artisan glass. We know glass as a material very well and have wanted to preserve the traditions of craftsmanship while modernizing it with our own design expertise. Glass installations are no longer just interior solutions but part of the overall spatial experience.
It is essential for us, in terms of both growth and development, to seek new markets and business growth abroad. The domestic market is more limited, and even in the initial research, we have noticed that there are no comparable players in Scandinavia. Therefore, I believe that even though we are dealing with a niche product, we can create demand and offer our customers a competitive edge when it comes to unique and high-quality glass experiences.”, sums up Essi Sundman, the CEO of Lasilinkki.
Development grant enables long-term progress
At Lasilinkki, we have always believed that help is available when asked for. For a small family business, internationalization is a significant effort in terms of both resources and people. Fortunately, there are various options available to accelerate development and growth. In 2024, Lasilinkki was granted development grant from Ely, which provides both investment and development support.
“We’re thrilled to have received the grant for the initial phase of export investments and development. Of course, as a company, we are also putting our own money on the line and investing in our future and the people around us. Honestly, it’s quite scary as well—there’s no exact manual for this, and we don’t have a crystal ball to foresee which risks will pay off and which wont. However, in recent years, I’ve noticed that when I trust the people around me and my network, things tend to work out.”
The support from the project and the advice received from experts enable comprehensive and long-term export development across the board. The first steps towards internationalization were already taken in 2023, which has also provided confidence that the main focus is on the right things.
“The application process and the application for the grant were done thoroughly and in-depth, during which our clearest export strategy crystallized. Fortunately, help was available at various stages of the support application process through both the Business Center and Ely’s experts. Without them, we probably wouldn’t have been able to articulate our needs and bring out the opportunities as effectively. Good collaboration was key here as well,” Essi Sundman clarifies.
The project enables us to develop production, such as purchasing new furnaces to increase production capacity, as well as the development of new products, market research, and better networking.
Part of the project grant comes from the European Union Regional Development Fund. You can find project details here.
The beginning of export trade and future steps
The first sales were made in the summer of 2023 when Wave-patterned artisan glass with gold-tinted films was delivered to Spain. The project was completed for the customer in 2023, and now Essis’s artisan glass is sailing the world on the new Carnival Jubilee cruise ship. Another significant reference project will be completed in downtown Stockholm by June 2024, with the project being designed by one of Sweden’s most famous architectural firms, Wingårdhs.
The beginning of export trade has been slow due to limited resources, low market knowledge, and brand awareness.
“We have tried to do as much groundwork as possible in recent months. The next focus is on increasing customer contacts and developing sales. Production changes are progressing on schedule, and the new furnaces will definitely be operational by summer,” Essi explains.
In addition to the Swedish market, our journey will continue through Denmark to Norway over the next three years. During this time, we will explore and map out our opportunities in other potential markets such as Germany, Spain, Japan, and the USA. Alongside conquering new market areas, the other main focus will be on product development once the production changes are completed.
“Our goal is to focus more comprehensively and consistently on the development of our artisan glass and recycled glass products. Based on the lessons and customer feedback from target markets, we can create a more sustainable and profitable foundation for our business and create timeless and responsibly produced products and ensembles for our customers.
The export strategy and project guide our export development and will surely create a strong third pillar for our company, in addition to domestic operations. I can’t wait to see what our operations will look like three years from now!” Sundman exclaims excitedly.
