History

1 9 8 7 - 1 9 8 8

Eino Hintsala from Oulu developed a heating regulator prototype for a private home in his own apartment during late winter of 1988. He began developing it because he was aware of a market gap and because of the seasonal nature of his own HVAC business. During the cold time of the year he had plenty of work but the summers were slower. He purchased the necessary electronics design from his old friend, Matti Kangas, who owned an engineering office.
    
A marketing test indicated that there was a demand for the product. At that point, Hintsala decided that he had to get someone with marketing know-how and organisational skills to run the whole enterprise.

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Hintsala approached Martti Jokelainen, whom he knew from his previous work place, with his prototype. In June of 1988, a report of establishment of a company named EH-Systems Ky was delivered to the trade register. The trademark was "pulled out of the hat": OUMAN. It sounded good enough for even a foreigner to pronounce. The work was divided according to skills and aptitudes: Martti Jokelainen became the managing director and Eino Hintsala assumed responsibility for product development. The company's third partner, engineering office Matti Kangas Oy, designed the electronics.

Automation revolution - OUMAN EH-8

The first product was Ouman EH-8, an automatic heating regulation system for small homes. It was totally different than the systems currently in use. First of all, it was a compact product that contained both the regulator and actuator. That already made it easier to install than its competitors, but its primary success was its new type of electrical installation. Now installation no longer required an electrician because it could be plugged into an outlet.
    
Now a plumber could inexpensively install the heating regulator during one house call, or the customer could even install it himself.

This was something altogether new, suddenly, heating system automation within the reach of the average homeowner. Sales personnel, installers and customers were truly satisfied with the new arrival and sales took off rapidly. Because of Ouman EH-8, tens of thousands of households were able to enjoy even heat, the simplicity of automation, and energy conservation.

Growth

Income financing gave our business "a shot in the arm" and we enthusiastically began developing new products for HVAC regulation. We hired more people. We also centralised electronics design and purchased engineering office Matti Kangas Oy's partnership in 1992. We established a sales office in Espoo in 1993 for the metropolitan area market.

1 9 9 5  The first facilities of our own

Our rental facility in the Hakamaa industrial area grew too small. In 1995, Kempele municipality built us a new facility in the Paituri industrial area. We were able to purchase the building within a short time as our business was steadily growing. Product development continued to accelerate in our new, modern facility. Results began to show. Ouman products were easy to use but also technically well developed. 


A new compact heating regulator for small homes - OUMAN EH-80

In the middle of the 90's, a second generation heating regulator for small houses was introduced. Its name was changed to EH-80. The device was even more compact and contained more options, for example, a timer. Its colour and design came to symbolise all Ouman products.

Ouman is number one!

As expected, EH-80 conquered the markets and soon became the most purchased heating regulator for small homes in Finland.



1 9 9 8  Unheard of - an OUMAN EH-200 talking heating regulator

1998 - the world's first talking heating regulator, the Ouman EH-200 series spoke to people in the same line of business and to consumers. The regulator gave clear instructions and advice by speaking!

1 9 9 9  Monitoring house technology via text messages

Mobile technology got a new application when Ouman introduced its first GSM controlled heating regulator to the market in 1999. House technology can now be monitored and controlled via text message.

2 0 0 0 - 2 0 0 1  Success due to superior characteristics

In the year 2000, Ouman placed 1st in the Pohjois-Pohjanmaa regional series of the INNSUOMI competition with the before mentioned product. A year later it was chosen for the Year 2001 building product.

Ouman EH-200 series regulators can be adapted to facilities of all sizes and to the most unusual ways of producing heat.

2 0 0 1  Moving into Ouman's new building

In the year 2000 a new factory and main office building was completed near the Zeppelin intersection in Kempele. One-third of our thirty employees is in product development. Final assembly and product testing takes place in our factory. Parts production occurs through contracts with manufacturers domestically as well as in other countries.

At the head of the line of business

Large multinational companies in the building automation field have had to move over for this Finnish climber. Ouman has attained market leadership in Finland with its heating regulation of small homes as well as large facilities. In addition, product exports are growing. Ouman regulators speak five different languages and also send and receive text messages in five different languages.

2002 A new innovation for an electrically heated home

In the year 2002, remote control of an electrically heated home became possible. The GSM controlled EH-60 was developed especially to control and monitor an electrically heated family home, summer cottage or small business facility. The EH-60 makes it possible to remotely control and monitor heating from anyplace and at any time. In addition, EH-60 can be used for burglar, fire and water leak monitoring and can smartly control, for example, car heaters, lights or door locks.

Smart, necessary air handling – EH-105

In the year 2002 we developed a revolutionary new controller to control air handling in even large facilities. The EH-105 air handling controller identifies the need for fresh air and smartly controls the air handling unit. Proper ventilation provides a more comfortable environment, protects structures and the air handling unit and also conserves energy. The controller can also be monitored and controlled via a GSM phone. 

 

2003 Graphic user interfaces for remote control

In the year 2003, GSM remote control of controllers became incredibly easy. In addition to character-based text messages, we developed easy-to-use graphic user interfaces that are compatible with a number of Nokia phones having colour displays. (Series 60 and Communicator). The user interfaces can be downloaded free of charge from Ouman’s web pages.

2004 Honorable Mention from Teknologiasta Tuotteiksi säätiö (Technology to Products foundation)

Ouman Finland Ltd received honorable mention from the (Technology to Products foundation) in 2004. Ouman Ltd was rewarded for its heating and air handling control system that utilizes mobile and internet technology.  

From the year 1994 on, Teknologiasta Tuotteiksi –säätiö (technology to products foundation) has supported Finnish technology, product development, research and internationalization. The foundation’s target is a good, healthy, sustainable and productive indoor environment. The foundation can give rewards and support companies and individuals.

2004 Ouman Finland Ltd. is a regional success!

In the business magazine, Kauppalehti, and Balance Consulting Ltd’s balanced account classification, Ouman Finland Ltd has been classified as a class A company in the year 2004 and also placed in the top 25 businesses of its region. 

A successful regional company’s turnover must be at least 1.7 million Euros. A company is successful if it is profitable, financially sound and liquid. In addition, the company’s turnover must show a growth of at least 10%. 

2005 Ouman Finland Ltd. received the maakunnallinen yrittäjäpalkinto (regional entrepreneur reward)

The year 2005 Northern Ostrobothnia regional entrepreneur reward was given to the Kempele company, Ouman Finland Ltd, on Saturday the 11th of November. 

The basis for the selection was a quality-investing, expert and growth-oriented entrepreneurship.

2005 Ouman Finland Ltd. is a regional success!

In the business magazine, Kauppalehti, and Balance Consulting Ltd’s balanced account classification, Ouman Finland Ltd has been classified as a class A company in the year 2005 and also placed in the top 25 businesses of its region. 

A successful regional company’s turnover must be at least 1.7 million Euros. A company is successful if it is profitable, financially sound and liquid. In addition, the company’s turnover must show a growth of at least 10%. 

2006 The enlargement of the factory and main office building in Kempele was completed

In the summer of 2006 the 1500 square meter building was enlarged by 2100 square meters to accommodate modern facilities for design, production and offices. The construction progressed according to plans and on schedule and was subcontracted.

2006 The latest in remote control – EH net

In the year 2006, with the coming of the new web-based remote control solution, EH-net,  Ouman’s control and monitoring devices could be used in a whole new way. EH-200, EH-105 and EH-686 products can now all be controlled from the same point regardless of the time or place using the  web-based browser. The inexpensive and easy-to-use remote control EH-net system clearly raises the value of Ouman devices.

2006  Ouman Finland Oy is a regional success!

In the business magazine, Kauppalehti, and Balance Consulting Ltd’s balanced account classification, Ouman Finland Ltd has been classified as a class A company in the year 2006 and also placed in the top 20 businesses of its region.  

A successful regional company’s turnover must be at least 1.7 million Euros. A company is successful   if it is profitable, financially sound and liquid. In addition, the company’s turnover must show a growth of at least 10%. 

2007 Ouman Finland Ltd was given the ISO 9001:2000 certificate!

On October 17th, 2007, Det Norske Veritas gave Ouman Finland Ltd the ISO 9001:2000 certification for quality management standards.

 The certificate covers the following functions or services:

-production of building automation

-delivery of heating control systems

-delivery of domestic hot water control systems

-delivery of ventilation control systems

-delivery of O.E.M products

2007 Ouman Finland Ltd is the Region’s strongest company in 2007!

Suomen asiakastieto (provider of information services) formed a council that selected the strongest regional companies on October 18th, 2007. Finnish companies that had been  financially successful for a long time were selected 

Ouman Finland Ltd was selected as the strongest company in Northern Ostrobothnia in 2007.  

2008 Ouman Finland Ltd was divided into two different limited companies.

On December 31st, 2008, Ouman Finland Ltd was divided into a business operation (Ouman Oy) and a real eatate operation (Kiinteistö Oy Voimanpesä).

 

2009 A smart new heating controller for family homes –OUMAN EH-800!

Finland’s favourite heating controller, EH-80, gets a successor who’s many new features make it better than ever! A new control algorithm, diverse time programs, a dynamic graph, ready-to-use basic settings for different heating modes, remote control, a large display…heating control of a home has risen to a new level.

EH-80 is now enjoying a well-earned retirement!

The legendary EH-80 which was around for 14 years is no longer being produced.  It has been replaced by EH-800, which has all of the same familiar functions as EH-80 plus many new features, making it the absolute top in its field.  

2009 Ouman receives honourable mention in the INNOSUOMI 2009 competion

On December 2^nd, 2009, Ouman Ltd received honourable mention in the Northern Ostrobothnia INNOSUOMI 2009 competition.

2010 A new integrated home automation system – OUMAN PLUS!

Ouman Plus is a new, easy-to-use home automation system which operates automatically according to different situations in the home. Ouman Plus combines control of heating, ventilation, security systems, and other building automation controls into one functioning unit. The system conserves energy, makes your living environment more comfortable and increases safety and security.