STERA’S STORY
From machine shops to an international full-responsibility partner.
Stera’s story begins with Finnish machine shop tradition. From a world where quality is born in skilled hands, on the shop floor, and through professional pride.
Our longest roots reach back to post-war Finland and the year 1947. Back then, toy cars and other playthings were manufactured in Turku, later followed by products made by bending sheet metal. At the same time, an expertise emerged that grew over the decades into something even greater: the ability to deliver precise, durable industrial manufacturing tailored to customer needs.
Meanwhile, Stera’s future foundation was also being built elsewhere in Finland. In Tammela, a sheet metal specialist and major employer grew, boldly leveraging new laser technology. In Kaarina, a family business developed expertise in metal processing and surface treatment, later establishing a factory in Estonia as well.
Each company had its own history, its own customers, and its own way of doing things right.
In 2007, these stories came together. Hihra, Levyosa, and Elektromet joined forces on a common direction and founded Stera Technologies. The goal was simple but ambitious: together we could offer customers more than we could alone.
Our original motto said it well: 1 + 1 + 1 is more than three.
The merger didn’t just mean greater size. It meant broader expertise, stronger capacity, and the ability to take responsibility for increasingly demanding projects. From the start, Stera’s strength has been that under one roof we bring together exceptionally diverse industrial expertise.
Along the way, we have grown, learned, and made difficult decisions as well. We have acquired companies, developed our factories, let go of what no longer took us in the right direction, and strengthened what we do best.
We have grown from machine shops into a responsible international manufacturing partner, but our core has remained the same. Behind everything are still the people who know our customers’ products, requirements, and ways of working.
We still do our work in a way that allows us to be proud of what we leave behind.
Hihra Oy is founded in Turku.
Levyosa Oy starts operations in Ypäjä.
Elektromet Companies are founded.
Hihra, Levyosa, and Elektromet merge. Stera Technologies is born.
Protopaja Oy joins Stera.
Stera turns 20 years old.
