Ironworks was founded in June 1641; founder Carl Billsten. Founding of the Ironworks was supported by the time and the place.
Strong Swedish-Finnish Empire and on the other hand The Thirty Years' War in Central Europe increased the demand for iron. Professionally skilled blacksmiths, blast furnace masters and coal burners that had moved from Belgium and the regions of Northern France contributed to the implementation of more efficient manufacturing methods of iron.
The location of Ironworks was good - In Billnäs the River Mustio has a large precipice so there was no need for larger weir. Also the transport connections from sea and land were good. Alike the needed expendable wood was received from the forests in the surroundings of Billnäs.
During following years Ironworks experienced ups and downs. They were influenced, among other things, by poorly chosen place for blast furnace, occupations during the Greater Wrath and plague.
Hisinger`s period (1723 – 1920)
Billnäs Ironworks moved to Hisinger family's possession in 1723
Bar hammer workshops with forges and waterwheels, and coal rooms were built to both sides of the rapids in Billnäs Ironworks. Johan Hisinger was especially active in building and developing the Ironworks’ operations.
He also developed the agriculture and created gardens to the Ironworks. Except for two buildings, the oldest parts of the Ironworks, situated on the north side, were destroyed in a fire in 1775.
With the reforms made in the mid 19th century the demand of Ironworks’ main product pig iron increased. The products were sold mainly abroad.
The operations of the Ironworks waned in the early 1880s with the development of European and American factories– The Ironworks with its’ old fashioned production methods was not able to compete with them.
In 1883 the ownership of the Ironworks moved to Fridolf Leopold Hisinger. With the influence of the new owner, the old workshops were turned over to production plants and the production focused on doorknobs, axes, picks etc. In the busiest year in 1915 the Ironworks employed 1072 people.
The production of the office furniture started in Billnäs in 1909.
Fiskars Corporation’s period (1920 – 1983)
In 1920 the Billnäs Ironworks was incorporated into Fiskars Corporation.
The manufacture of old tools was continued.
In the late 1970s the old manufacturing facilities of the Ironworks became obsolete to the use of modern industry and the operations in the Ironworks decreased in the mid- 1980s.
Left without industrial activity the Ironworks slowly fell into decay.
Pohjan Ruukkiteollisuus Ltd (1983 – 2008)
In order to save the Ironworks, the municipality of Pohja founded Pohjan Ruukkiteollisuus Ltd in 1983.
With the help of state subsidy Pohjan Ruukkiteollisuus Ltd bought more than 110 buildings from Billnäs and Fiskars.
The main goal of the company was to conserve the valuable milieu of the Ironworks and diversify the development of the economic life of the municipality. In recognition of conserving the cultural heritage the company was honoured with a “Europa Nostra” Award in 1988.
Olli Muurainen (2008- )
In the end of year 2008, Billnäs Ironworks moved to private ownership and to the use of service industry.
Various public events, concerts and exhibitions among others, are organized in the Billnäs Ironworks. In the long run, hotel- and restaurant operations are planned to the area as well as a full renovation of the valuable real estates.
