February 11, 2010, marked the 50th anniversary of Rautaruukki's foundation. The company was founded by the Finnish State and seven major Finnish metal companies: Fiskars, Lokomo, Otanmäki, Outokumpu, Rauma-Repola, Valmet, and Wärtsilä.
"In five decades, Ruukki has transformed from a traditional steel producer to an international multi-skilled actor in the steel and engineering industries, and serves customers in 27 countries,” said President and CEO Sakari Tamminen. “The company's success is based on the same formula as in Ruukki's early days: competent people and close, lasting cooperation with our customers. We will be celebrating our anniversary year at work with our personnel and customers."
Rautaruukki began operations in Raahe, Finland, where the steel works built in the 1960s was the first in the West to make steel using the new, cost-effective continuous casting method. In the 1970s, operations expanded into steel processing, with the construction of a cold rolling mill and the startup of tube production in Hämeenlinna.
In the 1980s, the company began to seek growth potential in Western Europe by establishing sales offices and making acquisitions. In the early 1990s, Ruukki expanded into the construction business, with the acquisition of Finnish steel roof manufacturer Rannila. Also in the ‘90s, the markets in Eastern Europe opened up to the company, first in the Baltics and Poland, and later in Russia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.
During the first decade of the 21st century, Ruukki says that it began to focus strongly on solutions for construction and the engineering industry. The company's steel business focuses on special steel products. Today, Ruukki has a “strong foothold” on the Nordic markets and is seeking growth opportunities in the emerging markets of Russia, Central Eastern Europe, and also China.
Ruukki notes that its expertise can be seen in many well-known projects including Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport, the new Oslo Opera House, and Oasis of the Seas, the world's largest cruise vessel.