Sustainable growth comes from people

The year 2025 was exceptional for Ahola Group in many respects. The operating environment was marked by geopolitical uncertainty, economic fluctuations and pressures for change affecting the entire logistics sector. At the same time, with Ahola celebrating its 70th anniversary, the year offered moments of celebration and connection. Between these two parallel themes, one thing stood out above everything else: a belief in what we do and the people behind it.

 

In the transport sector, few years have ever been “ordinary”, and 2025 was no exception. As supply chains evolve, industrial investments are postponed and customer expectations grow, our task is to keep everything moving. Despite the challenges, we were able to look ahead with confidence and work purposefully in all our business areas.

Now that the year is behind us, we can say that it was successful overall. We are satisfied with the results achieved, but even more, with the progress we made together.

 

The anniversary year brought joy, moments of reflection and shared experiences. The celebrations held in Kokkola in the spring and in Naantali in August brought together staff, families, customers and partners. Many appreciated that their families could join – a clear reflection of what Ahola represents: a family business that genuinely places people and relationships at the centre.

 

Growth, development and bold commitment

 

Of our business sectors, Ahola Special succeeded in increasing its turnover. The large industrial and wind-power projects carried out in Sweden required the entire team to demonstrate courage, competence and the ability to take on exceptionally demanding assignments. This growth did not happen by chance, but as a result of long-term work, a strong local presence and thorough advance planning.

 

For us, Sweden has increasingly become a second home market. In northern Sweden, massive industrial investments are rapidly reshaping logistics needs, while in the south, industrial production and logistics demand smooth daily operations and high reliability. Having local staff enables us to respond to customer needs quickly and with confidence.

 

At Ahola Transport, the year was characterised by stable and consistent work. At the same time, we advanced several new solutions that support energy efficiency and operational reliability. The development of the Naantali charging station, battery solutions and charging optimisation are concrete examples of how technology and practical operations intersect. Change does not happen overnight. New solutions are built step by step through testing, piloting and real-world experience. This is why collaboration with customers and partners is essential to us.

 

At Ahola Digital, the focus remained on system development and the next steps in digitalisation. The ERP renewal progressed as planned, financial management systems were updated, and the utilisation of artificial intelligence became concrete, for example, with the introduction of our own AI-based camera application. The role of digitalisation continues to grow across the Group: the solutions developed by Ahola Digital have a direct impact on operational reliability, the smoothness of daily work and the meaningfulness of tasks.

 

Ahola turns 70 – a source of pride and gratitude

 

Seventy years is a significant milestone in the Finnish business landscape. We are genuinely proud of this and, above all, grateful. Without our customers, partners and dedicated staff, this journey wouldn’t have been possible.

 

In his review, Board Chair Hans Ahola recounts Ahola’s 70-year history and the transformation of the transport sector from the 1950s to the present day.

 

The anniversary also reminded us that a long history is not just about looking back. It is an obligation: we must renew ourselves, develop our operations and look ahead so that Ahola remains strong and vibrant in the coming decades.

 

Ahola is its people

 

Ahola’s operations are based on values that guide our actions every day: total responsibility, openness and respect for the individual. They are visible in everyday life; in the way we interact and in how we work together.

 

A supportive corporate culture gives people the space to succeed, develop and bring forth new ideas. It creates an entrepreneurial mindset that we need in an ever-changing operating environment. When people enjoy their work, it directly reflects on the customer experience as well.

 

In 2025, we strengthened this philosophy on a structural level too. A new HR Director, Annele Heikkilä, joined the Group’s executive management team to bring a stronger people-focused approach to our strategy work. The Board of Directors gained valuable project expertise and industrial insight with the addition of Olli-Matti Airiola as a member. External board members serve as important sparring partners and challengers, helping us to stay on course.

 

Without our drivers, not a single consignment would reach its destination. Their professional skills form the cornerstone of our operations. A strong, well-functioning system can only be built through collaboration, with the support of our links: the experts, dispatchers, developers, specialists and all the professionals working behind the scenes in our logistics centres. Each of them plays an equally important role in keeping our operations running and enabling us to serve our customers reliably every day.

 

When people enjoy their work, it directly reflects on the customer experience as well.

Social responsibility as part of daily life

 

In 2025, we wanted to take concrete actions outside the work community as well. Traffic Safety Days, school visits and anti-bullying initiatives are examples of how we want to contribute positively beyond our own operations. In honour of the anniversary, we also gave out 70 stipends to students and made a donation to the city of Kokkola for a playground, with the aim of supporting the local community and children’s well-being.

 

Where is Ahola headed?

 

Looking ahead, the direction is clear. Technology, digitalisation and artificial intelligence bring new opportunities that we want to utilise responsibly and practically. Our strategy aims for profitable, sustainable growth while keeping people at the centre of everything we do.

 

Sustainability is embedded in everything we do. Overall environmental efficiency guides our choices from vehicles to systems and operating models. At the same time, we recognise that the industry is constantly evolving and expectations continue to rise. This is why we want to develop together with our customers, partners and staff.

We are heading into the coming years with confidence and enthusiasm. Ahola is not just its fleet, systems or supply chains – Ahola is the people behind them. And that is exactly what will make us strong in the decades ahead.

 

Ida Saavalainen, Group CEO

Ahola Group – Key figures 2025

 

• Turnover: 145.9 M€ (2024: 128.4 M€)
• Operating profit: 4.4 M€ (2024: 4.5 M€)
• Net profit: 3.3 M€ (2024: 3.2 M€)

 

An experienced and innovative logistics partner

 

Ahola is a family company that was established in 1955 and has grown into an international logistics Group. We are a reliable and modern logistics expert. Sustainable development is at the core of our company’s operations.

 

Market areas

 

• Nordic countries: 77%
• Baltic countries: 13%
• CEE countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania): 10%

 

Market segments

• Industry: 75%
• Trade: 25%