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How much do you know about Uponor?

1. Uponor introduced some highly popular products under the name Asko in the mid-20th century. What were they?

a) Pastel-colored portable radios

b) Designer furniture such as the Ball Chair

c) Round table clocks in bright colors

2. What was the first product of Uponor founder Aukusti Asko-Avonius?

a) Wooden crosses

b) Coffins

c) Church pews

3. What company did Uponor partner with in the 1960s?

a) Volvo

b) Nokia

c) Ikea

4. How much energy can you save with the intelligent room temperature control system Smatrix Pulse from GF Uponor?

a) Up to 5%

b) Up to 10%

c) Up to 20%

5. For which celebrity winter athlete did Uponor build the underfloor heating?

a) Felix Neureuther

b) Magdalena Neuner

c) Katharina Witt

Find the quiz answers at the bottom of this page!

How an Uponor colleague made a name for himself

The Uponor sales unit in Västerås has a “Peter Hauki” meeting room, named after an employee. Peter (left in the picture, next to him his children Patrik, Eva-Lotta, Paul and Anna-Carin) began his career at Uponor at age 20 and ended it, still at Uponor, at the age of 65. He started as a blacksmith but then worked as an engineer after an accident. Now, four of his five children work at Uponor, as do several grandchildren and relatives by marriage. A true Uponor family!

You’d never guess!

Uponor was or is involved in these products:

The mass production of writing desks was Asko’s first commercial success.

A baby carriage was the first product manufactured by Upo Oy.

In the 1960s, Asko produced beds for Ikea.

Time for a nap!

GF Uponor’s headquarters in Helsinki (Finland) has a relaxation room where employees can take a break or nap during the day. Uponor Americas also offers its workforce a wellness room that can be used as a place for some peace and relaxation.

IN DEMAND: Uponor bestseller that never gets outdated

It is already 50 years old. In September 1972, Uponor (formerly Wirsbo) was the world’s first manufacturer to launch cross-linked polyethylene pipes (PEX): a turningpoint for the entire industry. The flexible material can withstand temperatures of up to 95°C and is suitable for underfloor heating, panel heating and cooling, drinking water installations, and radiator connections. PEX pipes have also been available since 2022 in a bio-based version. As the best-known example of the sustainable product range that goes under the name of “Blue”, they are once again leading the field.

Terms and abbreviations you should know

→ BLD-E

stands for Building Solutions – Europe

→ BLD-NA

stands for Building Solutions – Americas

→ GLT

is the acronym for the Global Leadership Team

→ SMT

are the top executives, the Senior Management Team

→ People First

is the motto when it comes to GF Uponor’s HR strategy

→ U-Voice

is the name of the annual employee satisfaction survey

→ SMC

is the Senior Management Committee at Uponor Americas

6.85 kilograms

That is how much coffee Finns drink on average each year, according to a Statista survey, making them second only to Luxembourgers in per capita consumption. So when visiting Finnish colleagues, be sure to increase your caffeine tolerance.

QUIZ ANSWERS

Question 1

^{Answer: b. Eero Aarnio designed the fiberglass Ball Chair that made Asko Oy famous across the globe in the 1960s. Other Asko designers, too, delighted celebrities with their creations. In Japan, for example, Princess Michiko enjoyed resting on Ilmari Lappalainen’s “Pulkka” lounge chair.}

Question 2

^{Answer: b.}

Question 3

^{Answer: c. In the 1960s, Asko manufactured beds for Ikea until the Swedish furniture chain gained market share in Finland thanks to lower production costs.}

Question 4

^{Answer: c}

Question 5

^{Answer: a. The former professional Alpine athlete fitted Uponor underfloor heating in his mansion and was also actively involved in the installation of the system.}