EMIL AALTOSEN MUISTORAHASTO

Kenkätehtaitten keskusliitto r.y. started a foundation in 1951 in order to promote expertise in Finnish shoemaking. Emil Aaltosen Muistorahasto, a foundation that was started to honour the memory of Emil Aaltonen, supports the professional studies of students in the industry as well as the expertise of individuals already working in the industry.

Emil Aaltonen valued skill and diligence. In 1883 Emil Aaltonen, having barely attended any schools at all, was taught shoemaking at the age of 14. Five years later he became a master in shoemaking. The young man opened his own workshop in Hattula, near his birthplace.

Emil, who valued craftmanship, frugality and the Finnish culture, was also interested in machines and technology. It didn’t take long until he had purchased appropriate machinery in order to start serial production of durable and high-class shoes. The story of a craftsman becoming an industrialist had begun.

Aaltonen’s shoe factory became Scandinavia’s largest. After the war, the factory employed 1500 workers in the city of Tampere. As early as in the 1920’s and the 1930’s, Emil was part of founding the operations of Lokomo and Sarvis. Also, a handful of smaller shoe factories in Finland were now in Emil´s ownership. When Emil stepped down from the management of his firms in 1947, these firms together employed 3000 workers. Emil was awarded the Finnish honorary title of vuorineuvos. Besides his deep passion for developing the industrial production, he also had an interest in improving working conditions among Finnish workers and developing Finnish science and Finnish cultural life.

Even to this day, Emil Aaltosen säätiö operates as Emil desired by supporting scientific research with millions of euros every year.