Messua turns 38 – a four-generation story of craftsmanship and family entrepreneurship
In 2025, we celebrate Messua’s 38th anniversary. Milestones are a good moment to pause – to look back, give thanks, and set our sights on the future. While Messua Oy was officially founded in 1987, our roots reach much further – all the way back to the 1960s.
The story begins in Lahti, when the grandfather of our third-generation owners, Esko Arvelin, established Kilpimainos Arvelin in 1961. Esko embodied creativity, craftsmanship and courage – values that still guide our family-owned exhibition company today.
Esko was a true pioneer: he studied hand lettering through correspondence, served in the war, and upon returning to Lahti, built a long career in visual merchandising and exhibition construction before becoming an entrepreneur.
Growth, innovation, and international expansion
The company, initially known as Mainos Arvelin Ky, grew quickly and soon included Esko’s sons Antti, Jorma and Heikki, who helped develop the family business. In the 1970s, the Consta exhibition system was born – a product that gained international significance and was exported to as many as 30 countries. By the 1980s, operations had expanded to five cities and reached as far as Moscow, London and Singapore.
In 1987, a major transition took place. With a generational shift, Jorma Arvelin founded Messua Design Oy and acquired the Oulu operations, which became Messu Arvelin Oy – the foundation of what is now known as Messua Oy.
The fourth generation carries the legacy
In the 2000s, leadership passed to the third generation. Esko’s grandchildren – Eriikka Kalliokoski and Jonna Simola – took the helm, continuing the business with the same values. In 2014, Messua Design Oy and Messu Arvelin Oy merged to form the current family-owned exhibition company, Messua Oy. This marked a period of renewal: construction was outsourced to partners, and our core focus shifted to design, project management, and customer service. Most recently, in 2022, Messua Oy acquired the operations of Arvelin International Oy, further strengthening our team and expertise.
Today, the fourth generation is already part of Messua’s journey. The children of our owners – Esko’s great-grandchildren – have grown up immersed in the company story and are taking on more active roles. Emil Kalliokoski joined the company as a marketing coordinator in 2024, and both Ella Kalliokoski and Lilly Simola have participated in numerous events, including international projects. Venny and Hugo Simola have also helped out at events.
Looking ahead – a family business that evolves with the times
Messua operates from Lahti and Helsinki, delivering hundreds of projects annually both in Finland and abroad. We are known for high-quality execution, reliability, and customer-focused service. We are proud that family entrepreneurship remains at the heart of everything we do – it shapes every decision and every encounter.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Let’s continue creating memorable experiences together.
