Pohjolan Palvelut Oy (Popa) celebrates 70 years as a company that has grown from a single printing press in Rovaniemi into a nationwide marketing partner.
Leevi Moilanen founded Pohjolan Painotuote Oy in Rovaniemi in 1956. Since then it has remained a fully northern Finnish family business. Over the decades Popa has lived through the upheavals of the printing and marketing industry and through its customers' success stories, continuously developing and renewing itself.
A Print House Rooted in Lapland
Rovaniemi rose from the ashes and reconstruction demanded forms and documents. Pohjolan Painotuote answered the call by hand. Type was set letter by letter and trust with customers was built face to face. Operations began on Koskikatu before expanding to Korkalonkatu 2.
Over the years printing operations expanded from Rovaniemi to new locations. Long before the current anniversary year, Popa had been serving customers across Finland. Offices have been in Oulu, Rovaniemi, and briefly in Vaasa as well.
The customer base grew to cover local entrepreneurs and national organisations alike. Over the decades products from Pohjolan Palvelut's presses have gone out to the highest levels of government. The company has delivered printed work to the government, listed companies, cities, municipalities, small businesses, associations, and private individuals.
The presses produced not only business materials but also association histories, official documents, and memoirs. Many of these can still be found on the shelves of Rovaniemi Library as evidence of times past.
The Courage to Change
Kari Gustafsson describes joining the company in 1988 as a bold move. He was employed in a permanent position at Lapin Kansa when the offer came. At first he declined the proposed challenge, but curiosity and life led him on. He quickly became the person in charge, and that same year the company moved from Korkalonkatu to the Lapin Kansa premises on Veitikantie.
In 1989 Popa was the first print house in the region to acquire Macs. Investments in information technology and new printing presses continued into the early 1990s.
Then the recession hit. Many competitors folded, but Popa stayed standing. Nobody had to be made redundant. Kemijoki Oy, Lapin Kansa, and Detria remained loyal customers throughout the difficult years. At the peak, the print house had 12 employees.
As the operating area expanded, the service offering diversified too. Entering the 1990s Popa invested in modern print technology, transitioning from offset printing to digital production. In the 2000s graphic design, advertising materials, and website production joined the offering.
A Renewed Service Offering and Brand
Responding to customers' changing needs has meant continuously developing services. Popa listens to customer wishes and adds to its range the solutions customers need next.
In 2006 the company celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Lapin Kansa building on Veitikantie. Speeches recalled the decades during which the company had delivered printed work to the Finnish government, listed companies, municipalities, and private individuals. At the same time there were question marks in the air: the internet was arriving. What would become of a print house in the digital world?
The answer came with Sakke Gustafsson. In 2007 he became the company's majority owner and steered Popa into new waters. Operations expanded to Oulu, and design, marketing, and digital solutions joined printing as equal parts of the offering.
In 2015 the company name was updated to Pohjolan Palvelut Oy to emphasise that printing is only part of what is done. Marketing, design, and digital solutions had long been part of the offering. The Popa name remained a strong part of the identity.
In 2020 a comprehensive brand renewal was carried out. The website was revamped, services were organised into clear packages, and the company's visual identity, logo, and colours were refreshed. The renewed brand speaks to modern expertise while respecting the company's roots.
Supporting Customers and Community for 70 Years
Over seven decades Popa has been part of countless customers' stories. We have grown companies' visibility, communicated important matters, and helped build the identity of the northern community.
The company has been a reliable employer in the Oulu and Lapland region, providing careers for industry professionals across generations. As a local operator we have been involved in major projects and cultural events in our region. Most recently we are the partner for the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture year, just as decades ago we recorded northern local history on paper.
As we celebrate our anniversary year, Popa thanks its customers and partners for decades of support. The tools have changed, but the core is the same: we make our customers' message clear, visible, and effective.
Popa 70 Years 1956 to 2026
Milestones
1956: Foundation
Leevi Moilanen founds Pohjolan Painotuote Oy in Rovaniemi as a traditional print house. Operations begin on Koskikatu before expanding to Korkalonkatu 2.
1960s to 1980s: Establishment
Operations grow across Lapland and Northern Finland. The customer base expands to businesses, public sector organisations, and associations.
1988: Kari Gustafsson and the Move to Veitikantie
Kari Gustafsson takes over responsibility. The company moves to the Lapin Kansa premises on Veitikantie. Investments in new technology begin.
1989: The First Macs
Popa is the first print house in the region to acquire Macs. A step towards the digital future.
1990s: Technological Shift and Recession
The transition to modern offset and digital printing technology. The recession tests the industry, but Popa survives without redundancies.
2000s: Service Expansion
Graphic design, advertising materials, and comprehensive project planning join printing. In 2007 Sakke Gustafsson becomes majority owner.
2006: 50th Anniversary
The celebration is held at the Lapin Kansa building on Veitikantie. The atmosphere is warm but there are also question marks in the air: the internet is arriving.
2010 to 2015: Digital Expansion and Name Change
Operations expand to Oulu and go national. In 2015 the company name is updated to Pohjolan Palvelut Oy.
2020: Brand Renewal
The visual identity and website are renewed. Services are organised into clear packages. Popa is positioned as a modern marketing partner.
