History
of Profile
History
of Profile
History of Profile
1980 – 1989
1982
Iikori Ky was founded by Kosti Repo on first of September in 1982. The factory was founded in Iisalmi, Luuniemi, in the southern part of the town.
Interior Designer Manager Keijo Repo and Purchasing Manager Matti Sollo joined Kosti and were founders of Iikori and general partners of the company. In the beginning Iikori employed overall 7 people. Silent members were platers Juhani Karhu and Toivo Kainulainen and Interior Designer Timo Riihelä. Electrician Pekka Nissinen First ambulance was ordered by the Hospital Carriage Partti Kangasniemi.
Photo: First chassis to be converted into an ambulance. People from left: Kosti Repo, Toivo Kainulainen, Pekka Nissinen, Keijo Repo, Timo Riihelä, Juhani Karhu and Matti Sollo.
1985
In 1985, a private production hall was built in the northern part of Iisalmi to Teollisuuskylä, as coordinator of industrial production premises in Iisalmi. The hall was built by Teollisuuskylä Oy and then sold to Iikori Ky. After two years, in 1987, due to growth of production capacity the hall had to be expanded considerably.
Photo: New business premises in Teollisuuskylä, Iisalmi
1985
Iikori Ky was rewarded with Iisalmi entrepreneur award.
1987
In 1987, Iikori Ky won an important bidding competition for safety cars. These vehicles were built on heavy truck platforms and were a demanding job for the company. This tender was the main reason for expanding the production hall. - At the time, trading was intense, social business which included interacting with clients. From several of these customer relationships evolved real friendships, says Marko Repo. It has also led to a strong loyalty from the customers' behalf towards our company.
1990 – 1999
1990
In production, the company launched a new, innovative module for ambulances in 1990. The most famous change was lifting the original roof of the ambulance. According to customers, it created a new profile for the appearance of ambulances, and that’s how Profile got its name.
1991
- When the banking crisis began the former Finnish currency devalued sharply in 1991, Marko Repo recalls the wicked recession that influenced the whole country. It affected the whole business economy in Finland, but it did some good for Iikori. Despite some persistent offering, the company had not taken any foreign loans. Kosti Repo was extremely sensible and far-wise as he refused to take currency-related loans even though money was needed. In addition, Iikori had just completed an excellent product on Volkswagen T4 Transporter chassis, that suited the market situation controlled by the recession. At the same time big political upheavals wiped out the world and the Iron Curtain between West and East Germany fell which led to an open market in East Germany.
1992
Profile Component Oy was founded in 1992, and Marko Repo became one of the owners of company. Iikori became a subsidiary owned by Profile Component Oy. Back then we didn't consider that it would be important to inform others about the changes of the company. We started to make a product that was initially a Profile Component ambulance. At first it was made in the Chevrolet Chevy van base vehicle and after that in the VW T4 base vehicle.
1992
Markets in Norway opened in 1993. In Norway the business started immediately very well, because the VW T4 Profile ambulance we had built was even more advanced compared to local and import ambulances. In addition, we got a good, well-known and reliable retailer to deal with sales and aftermarket in the Norwegian market.
1993
In 1993 Iikori ky was awarded with entrepreneurial prize of the Savo Province.
1994 – 1999
We had close cooperation with Russians in 1994 to 1999. We worked with them on the GAZ-3302 bran. It was long-term development of the chassis. We provided a patient compartment module and a modular ambulance for their needs. The benefits and disadvantages of the module have been controversial over the years, but there were not dispute about its usefulness. The module enabled to have any kind of patient compartment that suited to customer wishes. It does not require compromises of the same size as the ambulance which is built on a van.
With product development, we developed a completely revolutionary module. It was a unique technology. That module was a composite basket made in one mold. It was as strong, and it had very modern solutions, thanks to that carefully done product development work. The product itself received excellent ratings in Russia and was the preferred model until the ruble was devalued. Change in the value of the ruble made it impossible for Russians to buy that expensive solution from us and they had to be satisfied for the basic and local models. This happened at the end of the 1990s.
Photo: Finnish and original Profile GAZ Modular Ambulance in 1998.
1997
In 1997, we moved again to a new factory in Iisalmi which is also our current location today. At first, we rented half of this large business hall but later, with the recession, the price of the property was affordable and set at an appropriate level, so we were able to buy the entire property in 1999. Back then the reason for the acquisition was clear. We had to get a better and more suitable premises for production. In production we had to invest more in modular ambulance assemblies for Russia. At the time the domestic production was kept at a former factory.
1997
In 1997 the subsidiary was founded to southern Sweden in Trollhättan. Mostly this subsidiary concentrate on markets, sells and service of special vehicles in Sweden and it also provides maintenance and repair service for special vehicles.
2000 – 2009
2000
In 2000, our entire business moved to this new and the latest property and production started from the beginning of 2001. Those large premises were our own now and the property has two hectares of land. It was fateful that the leader of the whole big project, our CEO Kosti Repo didn’t get to start in his new office and passed away during the time of the move into new premises. During the same year, Marko Repo started as CEO. Marko continued the work of his role model, Kosti Repo. During 2000, we also strongly developed our export operations. It started quite solemnly when the Russian President ordered a private ambulance use from. That information spread all over the media. Kremlin was impressed by our quality, and ordered 40 other well-equipped ambulances from us.
2000
In 2000 The Company was awarded with Golden Key from Foreign Trade Association, Finnpro, Finnish Workers' Association and MTV3.
2000
Profile GMC ambulances were loaded on the world's largest cargo aircraft, Antonov 124, at Kuopio Airport in February. 40 vehicles were delivered by sea freight and 20 vehicles were delivered by plane to Saudi in 2000.
2001
In 2001 the company was awarded with Workplace Spirit award by local newspaper Iisalmen Sanomat, Ylä-Savon hengenpuhaltaja.
2001
The Company was awarded with National Entrepreneur award 2001, by Finnish Entrepreneurs.
2002
In 2002 we founded a subsidiary in Tallinn, and it was called Profile Vehicles Baltic OÜ. With ambulances the company become the market leader in Baltic area. The luxury buses were manufactured in 2002 and those buses were a well-known on the streets of Finland, Sweden and Norway. Export operations had developed rapidly.
2004
New markets were opened in 2004, when we started close cooperation with China. Several vehicles were delivered to the Beijing Emergency Center.
2006
In 2006 The Company was awarded with a Growth Company in Eastern and Northern Finland.
2007
The Profile Genios Ambulance was productized on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base vehicle in 2006.
2006
Profile delivered 61 vehicles to Kuwait in 2007.
2007
Profile Neo ambulance was productized in 2007 for the new Volkswagen Transporter T5 base vehicle.
2010 – 2019
2010
ISO 9001 The quality management system was audited for the first time in every Profile factory, in 2010. Quality has always been the cornerstone in Profile products and service and guaranteed by quality management systems.
profile-advanz-ambulance-ergonomics
2012
The Hungarian branch office was founded in 2012, and it is the newest member of our group. The Hungarian unit offers a various special vehicles and sales as well as after-sales service.
2015
Our CEO, Marko Repo, was awarded the Entrepreneur of Eastern Finland in 2015.
2015
Profile Advanz Mercedes-Benz Vito VAN ambulance was productized in 2015.
2017
Profile Optimus ambulance was productized on the Ford Transit base vehicle in 2017.
2018
Profile Vehicles Ltd. was named official Volkswagen PremiumPartner in 2018.
2018
Profile Leonardo ambulance was productized on the Fiat Ducato base vehicle in 2018.
2019
Profile Vehicles Oy is the third international company in Europe which has been awarded with the Green Lean Continuous Improvement Certificate. Green Lean training focuses on three different aspects: economic, ecological and social sustainability. Profile is committed to Green Lean operating models and focuses on continuous improvement.
1980 – 1989
1982
Iikori Ky was founded by Kosti Repo on first of September in 1982. The factory was founded in Iisalmi, Luuniemi, in the southern part of the town.
Interior Designer Manager Keijo Repo and Purchasing Manager Matti Sollo joined Kosti and were founders of Iikori and general partners of the company. In the beginning Iikori employed overall 7 people. Silent members were platers Juhani Karhu and Toivo Kainulainen and Interior Designer Timo Riihelä. Electrician Pekka Nissinen First ambulance was ordered by the Hospital Carriage Partti Kangasniemi.
Photo: First chassis to be converted into an ambulance. People from left: Kosti Repo, Toivo Kainulainen, Pekka Nissinen, Keijo Repo, Timo Riihelä, Juhani Karhu and Matti Sollo.
1985
In 1985, a private production hall was built in the northern part of Iisalmi to Teollisuuskylä, as coordinator of industrial production premises in Iisalmi. The hall was built by Teollisuuskylä Oy and then sold to Iikori Ky. After two years, in 1987, due to growth of production capacity the hall had to be expanded considerably.
Photo: New business premises in Teollisuuskylä, Iisalmi
1985
Iikori Ky was rewarded with Iisalmi entrepreneur award.
1987
In 1987, Iikori Ky won an important bidding competition for safety cars. These vehicles were built on heavy truck platforms and were a demanding job for the company. This tender was the main reason for expanding the production hall. - At the time, trading was intense, social business which included interacting with clients. From several of these customer relationships evolved real friendships, says Marko Repo. It has also led to a strong loyalty from the customers' behalf towards our company.
1990 – 1999
1990
In production, the company launched a new, innovative module for ambulances in 1990. The most famous change was lifting the original roof of the ambulance. According to customers, it created a new profile for the appearance of ambulances, and that’s how Profile got its name.
1991
- When the banking crisis began the former Finnish currency devalued sharply in 1991, Marko Repo recalls the wicked recession that influenced the whole country. It affected the whole business economy in Finland, but it did some good for Iikori. Despite some persistent offering, the company had not taken any foreign loans. Kosti Repo was extremely sensible and far-wise as he refused to take currency-related loans even though money was needed. In addition, Iikori had just completed an excellent product on Volkswagen T4 Transporter chassis, that suited the market situation controlled by the recession. At the same time big political upheavals wiped out the world and the Iron Curtain between West and East Germany fell which led to an open market in East Germany.
1992
Profile Component Oy was founded in 1992, and Marko Repo became one of the owners of company. Iikori became a subsidiary owned by Profile Component Oy. Back then we didn't consider that it would be important to inform others about the changes of the company. We started to make a product that was initially a Profile Component ambulance. At first it was made in the Chevrolet Chevy van base vehicle and after that in the VW T4 base vehicle.
1992
Markets in Norway opened in 1993. In Norway the business started immediately very well, because the VW T4 Profile ambulance we had built was even more advanced compared to local and import ambulances. In addition, we got a good, well-known and reliable retailer to deal with sales and aftermarket in the Norwegian market.
1993
In 1993 Iikori ky was awarded with entrepreneurial prize of the Savo Province.
1994 – 1999
We had close cooperation with Russians in 1994 to 1999. We worked with them on the GAZ-3302 bran. It was long-term development of the chassis. We provided a patient compartment module and a modular ambulance for their needs. The benefits and disadvantages of the module have been controversial over the years, but there were not dispute about its usefulness. The module enabled to have any kind of patient compartment that suited to customer wishes. It does not require compromises of the same size as the ambulance which is built on a van.
With product development, we developed a completely revolutionary module. It was a unique technology. That module was a composite basket made in one mold. It was as strong, and it had very modern solutions, thanks to that carefully done product development work. The product itself received excellent ratings in Russia and was the preferred model until the ruble was devalued. Change in the value of the ruble made it impossible for Russians to buy that expensive solution from us and they had to be satisfied for the basic and local models. This happened at the end of the 1990s.
Photo: Finnish and original Profile GAZ Modular Ambulance in 1998.
1997
In 1997, we moved again to a new factory in Iisalmi which is also our current location today. At first, we rented half of this large business hall but later, with the recession, the price of the property was affordable and set at an appropriate level, so we were able to buy the entire property in 1999. Back then the reason for the acquisition was clear. We had to get a better and more suitable premises for production. In production we had to invest more in modular ambulance assemblies for Russia. At the time the domestic production was kept at a former factory.
1997
In 1997 the subsidiary was founded to southern Sweden in Trollhättan. Mostly this subsidiary concentrate on markets, sells and service of special vehicles in Sweden and it also provides maintenance and repair service for special vehicles.
2000 – 2009
2000
In 2000, our entire business moved to this new and the latest property and production started from the beginning of 2001. Those large premises were our own now and the property has two hectares of land. It was fateful that the leader of the whole big project, our CEO Kosti Repo didn’t get to start in his new office and passed away during the time of the move into new premises. During the same year, Marko Repo started as CEO. Marko continued the work of his role model, Kosti Repo. During 2000, we also strongly developed our export operations. It started quite solemnly when the Russian President ordered a private ambulance use from. That information spread all over the media. Kremlin was impressed by our quality, and ordered 40 other well-equipped ambulances from us.
2000
In 2000 The Company was awarded with Golden Key from Foreign Trade Association, Finnpro, Finnish Workers' Association and MTV3.
2000
Profile GMC ambulances were loaded on the world's largest cargo aircraft, Antonov 124, at Kuopio Airport in February. 40 vehicles were delivered by sea freight and 20 vehicles were delivered by plane to Saudi in 2000.
2001
In 2001 the company was awarded with Workplace Spirit award by local newspaper Iisalmen Sanomat, Ylä-Savon hengenpuhaltaja.
2001
The Company was awarded with National Entrepreneur award 2001, by Finnish Entrepreneurs.
2002
In 2002 we founded a subsidiary in Tallinn, and it was called Profile Vehicles Baltic OÜ. With ambulances the company become the market leader in Baltic area. The luxury buses were manufactured in 2002 and those buses were a well-known on the streets of Finland, Sweden and Norway. Export operations had developed rapidly.
2004
New markets were opened in 2004, when we started close cooperation with China. Several vehicles were delivered to the Beijing Emergency Center.
2006
In 2006 The Company was awarded with a Growth Company in Eastern and Northern Finland.
2007
The Profile Genios Ambulance was productized on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base vehicle in 2006.
2006
Profile delivered 61 vehicles to Kuwait in 2007.
2007
Profile Neo ambulance was productized in 2007 for the new Volkswagen Transporter T5 base vehicle.
2010 – 2019
2010
ISO 9001 The quality management system was audited for the first time in every Profile factory, in 2010. Quality has always been the cornerstone in Profile products and service and guaranteed by quality management systems.
profile-advanz-ambulance-ergonomics
2012
The Hungarian branch office was founded in 2012, and it is the newest member of our group. The Hungarian unit offers a various special vehicles and sales as well as after-sales service.
2015
Our CEO, Marko Repo, was awarded the Entrepreneur of Eastern Finland in 2015.
2015
Profile Advanz Mercedes-Benz Vito VAN ambulance was productized in 2015.
2017
Profile Optimus ambulance was productized on the Ford Transit base vehicle in 2017.
2018
Profile Vehicles Ltd. was named official Volkswagen PremiumPartner in 2018.
2018
Profile Leonardo ambulance was productized on the Fiat Ducato base vehicle in 2018.
2019
Profile Vehicles Oy is the third international company in Europe which has been awarded with the Green Lean Continuous Improvement Certificate. Green Lean training focuses on three different aspects: economic, ecological and social sustainability. Profile is committed to Green Lean operating models and focuses on continuous improvement.
1980 – 1989
1982
Iikori Ky was founded by Kosti Repo on first of September in 1982. The factory was founded in Iisalmi, Luuniemi, in the southern part of the town.
Interior Designer Manager Keijo Repo and Purchasing Manager Matti Sollo joined Kosti and were founders of Iikori and general partners of the company. In the beginning Iikori employed overall 7 people. Silent members were platers Juhani Karhu and Toivo Kainulainen and Interior Designer Timo Riihelä. Electrician Pekka Nissinen First ambulance was ordered by the Hospital Carriage Partti Kangasniemi.
Photo: First chassis to be converted into an ambulance. People from left: Kosti Repo, Toivo Kainulainen, Pekka Nissinen, Keijo Repo, Timo Riihelä, Juhani Karhu and Matti Sollo.
1985
In 1985, a private production hall was built in the northern part of Iisalmi to Teollisuuskylä, as coordinator of industrial production premises in Iisalmi. The hall was built by Teollisuuskylä Oy and then sold to Iikori Ky. After two years, in 1987, due to growth of production capacity the hall had to be expanded considerably.
Photo: New business premises in Teollisuuskylä, Iisalmi
1985
Iikori Ky was rewarded with Iisalmi entrepreneur award.
1987
In 1987, Iikori Ky won an important bidding competition for safety cars. These vehicles were built on heavy truck platforms and were a demanding job for the company. This tender was the main reason for expanding the production hall. - At the time, trading was intense, social business which included interacting with clients. From several of these customer relationships evolved real friendships, says Marko Repo. It has also led to a strong loyalty from the customers' behalf towards our company.
1990 – 1999
1990
In production, the company launched a new, innovative module for ambulances in 1990. The most famous change was lifting the original roof of the ambulance. According to customers, it created a new profile for the appearance of ambulances, and that’s how Profile got its name.
1991
- When the banking crisis began the former Finnish currency devalued sharply in 1991, Marko Repo recalls the wicked recession that influenced the whole country. It affected the whole business economy in Finland, but it did some good for Iikori. Despite some persistent offering, the company had not taken any foreign loans. Kosti Repo was extremely sensible and far-wise as he refused to take currency-related loans even though money was needed. In addition, Iikori had just completed an excellent product on Volkswagen T4 Transporter chassis, that suited the market situation controlled by the recession. At the same time big political upheavals wiped out the world and the Iron Curtain between West and East Germany fell which led to an open market in East Germany.
1992
Profile Component Oy was founded in 1992, and Marko Repo became one of the owners of company. Iikori became a subsidiary owned by Profile Component Oy. Back then we didn't consider that it would be important to inform others about the changes of the company. We started to make a product that was initially a Profile Component ambulance. At first it was made in the Chevrolet Chevy van base vehicle and after that in the VW T4 base vehicle.
1992
Markets in Norway opened in 1993. In Norway the business started immediately very well, because the VW T4 Profile ambulance we had built was even more advanced compared to local and import ambulances. In addition, we got a good, well-known and reliable retailer to deal with sales and aftermarket in the Norwegian market.
1993
In 1993 Iikori ky was awarded with entrepreneurial prize of the Savo Province.
1994 – 1999
We had close cooperation with Russians in 1994 to 1999. We worked with them on the GAZ-3302 bran. It was long-term development of the chassis. We provided a patient compartment module and a modular ambulance for their needs. The benefits and disadvantages of the module have been controversial over the years, but there were not dispute about its usefulness. The module enabled to have any kind of patient compartment that suited to customer wishes. It does not require compromises of the same size as the ambulance which is built on a van.
With product development, we developed a completely revolutionary module. It was a unique technology. That module was a composite basket made in one mold. It was as strong, and it had very modern solutions, thanks to that carefully done product development work. The product itself received excellent ratings in Russia and was the preferred model until the ruble was devalued. Change in the value of the ruble made it impossible for Russians to buy that expensive solution from us and they had to be satisfied for the basic and local models. This happened at the end of the 1990s.
Photo: Finnish and original Profile GAZ Modular Ambulance in 1998.
1997
In 1997, we moved again to a new factory in Iisalmi which is also our current location today. At first, we rented half of this large business hall but later, with the recession, the price of the property was affordable and set at an appropriate level, so we were able to buy the entire property in 1999. Back then the reason for the acquisition was clear. We had to get a better and more suitable premises for production. In production we had to invest more in modular ambulance assemblies for Russia. At the time the domestic production was kept at a former factory.
1997
In 1997 the subsidiary was founded to southern Sweden in Trollhättan. Mostly this subsidiary concentrate on markets, sells and service of special vehicles in Sweden and it also provides maintenance and repair service for special vehicles.
2000 – 2009
2000
In 2000, our entire business moved to this new and the latest property and production started from the beginning of 2001. Those large premises were our own now and the property has two hectares of land. It was fateful that the leader of the whole big project, our CEO Kosti Repo didn’t get to start in his new office and passed away during the time of the move into new premises. During the same year, Marko Repo started as CEO. Marko continued the work of his role model, Kosti Repo. During 2000, we also strongly developed our export operations. It started quite solemnly when the Russian President ordered a private ambulance use from. That information spread all over the media. Kremlin was impressed by our quality, and ordered 40 other well-equipped ambulances from us.
2000
In 2000 The Company was awarded with Golden Key from Foreign Trade Association, Finnpro, Finnish Workers' Association and MTV3.
2000
Profile GMC ambulances were loaded on the world's largest cargo aircraft, Antonov 124, at Kuopio Airport in February. 40 vehicles were delivered by sea freight and 20 vehicles were delivered by plane to Saudi in 2000.
2001
In 2001 the company was awarded with Workplace Spirit award by local newspaper Iisalmen Sanomat, Ylä-Savon hengenpuhaltaja.
2001
The Company was awarded with National Entrepreneur award 2001, by Finnish Entrepreneurs.
2002
In 2002 we founded a subsidiary in Tallinn, and it was called Profile Vehicles Baltic OÜ. With ambulances the company become the market leader in Baltic area. The luxury buses were manufactured in 2002 and those buses were a well-known on the streets of Finland, Sweden and Norway. Export operations had developed rapidly.
2004
New markets were opened in 2004, when we started close cooperation with China. Several vehicles were delivered to the Beijing Emergency Center.
2006
In 2006 The Company was awarded with a Growth Company in Eastern and Northern Finland.
2007
The Profile Genios Ambulance was productized on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base vehicle in 2006.
2006
Profile delivered 61 vehicles to Kuwait in 2007.
2007
Profile Neo ambulance was productized in 2007 for the new Volkswagen Transporter T5 base vehicle.
2010 – 2019
2010
ISO 9001 The quality management system was audited for the first time in every Profile factory, in 2010. Quality has always been the cornerstone in Profile products and service and guaranteed by quality management systems.
profile-advanz-ambulance-ergonomics
2012
The Hungarian branch office was founded in 2012, and it is the newest member of our group. The Hungarian unit offers a various special vehicles and sales as well as after-sales service.
2015
Our CEO, Marko Repo, was awarded the Entrepreneur of Eastern Finland in 2015.
2015
Profile Advanz Mercedes-Benz Vito VAN ambulance was productized in 2015.
2017
Profile Optimus ambulance was productized on the Ford Transit base vehicle in 2017.
2018
Profile Vehicles Ltd. was named official Volkswagen PremiumPartner in 2018.
2018
Profile Leonardo ambulance was productized on the Fiat Ducato base vehicle in 2018.
2019
Profile Vehicles Oy is the third international company in Europe which has been awarded with the Green Lean Continuous Improvement Certificate. Green Lean training focuses on three different aspects: economic, ecological and social sustainability. Profile is committed to Green Lean operating models and focuses on continuous improvement.
1980 – 1989
1982
Iikori Ky was founded by Kosti Repo on first of September in 1982. The factory was founded in Iisalmi, Luuniemi, in the southern part of the town.
Interior Designer Manager Keijo Repo and Purchasing Manager Matti Sollo joined Kosti and were founders of Iikori and general partners of the company. In the beginning Iikori employed overall 7 people. Silent members were platers Juhani Karhu and Toivo Kainulainen and Interior Designer Timo Riihelä. Electrician Pekka Nissinen First ambulance was ordered by the Hospital Carriage Partti Kangasniemi.
Photo: First chassis to be converted into an ambulance. People from left: Kosti Repo, Toivo Kainulainen, Pekka Nissinen, Keijo Repo, Timo Riihelä, Juhani Karhu and Matti Sollo.
1985
In 1985, a private production hall was built in the northern part of Iisalmi to Teollisuuskylä, as coordinator of industrial production premises in Iisalmi. The hall was built by Teollisuuskylä Oy and then sold to Iikori Ky. After two years, in 1987, due to growth of production capacity the hall had to be expanded considerably.
Photo: New business premises in Teollisuuskylä, Iisalmi
1985
Iikori Ky was rewarded with Iisalmi entrepreneur award.
1987
In 1987, Iikori Ky won an important bidding competition for safety cars. These vehicles were built on heavy truck platforms and were a demanding job for the company. This tender was the main reason for expanding the production hall. - At the time, trading was intense, social business which included interacting with clients. From several of these customer relationships evolved real friendships, says Marko Repo. It has also led to a strong loyalty from the customers' behalf towards our company.
1990 – 1999
1990
In production, the company launched a new, innovative module for ambulances in 1990. The most famous change was lifting the original roof of the ambulance. According to customers, it created a new profile for the appearance of ambulances, and that’s how Profile got its name.
1991
- When the banking crisis began the former Finnish currency devalued sharply in 1991, Marko Repo recalls the wicked recession that influenced the whole country. It affected the whole business economy in Finland, but it did some good for Iikori. Despite some persistent offering, the company had not taken any foreign loans. Kosti Repo was extremely sensible and far-wise as he refused to take currency-related loans even though money was needed. In addition, Iikori had just completed an excellent product on Volkswagen T4 Transporter chassis, that suited the market situation controlled by the recession. At the same time big political upheavals wiped out the world and the Iron Curtain between West and East Germany fell which led to an open market in East Germany.
1992
Profile Component Oy was founded in 1992, and Marko Repo became one of the owners of company. Iikori became a subsidiary owned by Profile Component Oy. Back then we didn't consider that it would be important to inform others about the changes of the company. We started to make a product that was initially a Profile Component ambulance. At first it was made in the Chevrolet Chevy van base vehicle and after that in the VW T4 base vehicle.
1992
Markets in Norway opened in 1993. In Norway the business started immediately very well, because the VW T4 Profile ambulance we had built was even more advanced compared to local and import ambulances. In addition, we got a good, well-known and reliable retailer to deal with sales and aftermarket in the Norwegian market.
1993
In 1993 Iikori ky was awarded with entrepreneurial prize of the Savo Province.
1994 – 1999
We had close cooperation with Russians in 1994 to 1999. We worked with them on the GAZ-3302 bran. It was long-term development of the chassis. We provided a patient compartment module and a modular ambulance for their needs. The benefits and disadvantages of the module have been controversial over the years, but there were not dispute about its usefulness. The module enabled to have any kind of patient compartment that suited to customer wishes. It does not require compromises of the same size as the ambulance which is built on a van.
With product development, we developed a completely revolutionary module. It was a unique technology. That module was a composite basket made in one mold. It was as strong, and it had very modern solutions, thanks to that carefully done product development work. The product itself received excellent ratings in Russia and was the preferred model until the ruble was devalued. Change in the value of the ruble made it impossible for Russians to buy that expensive solution from us and they had to be satisfied for the basic and local models. This happened at the end of the 1990s.
Photo: Finnish and original Profile GAZ Modular Ambulance in 1998.
1997
In 1997, we moved again to a new factory in Iisalmi which is also our current location today. At first, we rented half of this large business hall but later, with the recession, the price of the property was affordable and set at an appropriate level, so we were able to buy the entire property in 1999. Back then the reason for the acquisition was clear. We had to get a better and more suitable premises for production. In production we had to invest more in modular ambulance assemblies for Russia. At the time the domestic production was kept at a former factory.
1997
In 1997 the subsidiary was founded to southern Sweden in Trollhättan. Mostly this subsidiary concentrate on markets, sells and service of special vehicles in Sweden and it also provides maintenance and repair service for special vehicles.
2000 – 2009
2000
In 2000, our entire business moved to this new and the latest property and production started from the beginning of 2001. Those large premises were our own now and the property has two hectares of land. It was fateful that the leader of the whole big project, our CEO Kosti Repo didn’t get to start in his new office and passed away during the time of the move into new premises. During the same year, Marko Repo started as CEO. Marko continued the work of his role model, Kosti Repo. During 2000, we also strongly developed our export operations. It started quite solemnly when the Russian President ordered a private ambulance use from. That information spread all over the media. Kremlin was impressed by our quality, and ordered 40 other well-equipped ambulances from us.
2000
In 2000 The Company was awarded with Golden Key from Foreign Trade Association, Finnpro, Finnish Workers' Association and MTV3.
2000
Profile GMC ambulances were loaded on the world's largest cargo aircraft, Antonov 124, at Kuopio Airport in February. 40 vehicles were delivered by sea freight and 20 vehicles were delivered by plane to Saudi in 2000.
2001
In 2001 the company was awarded with Workplace Spirit award by local newspaper Iisalmen Sanomat, Ylä-Savon hengenpuhaltaja.
2001
The Company was awarded with National Entrepreneur award 2001, by Finnish Entrepreneurs.
2002
In 2002 we founded a subsidiary in Tallinn, and it was called Profile Vehicles Baltic OÜ. With ambulances the company become the market leader in Baltic area. The luxury buses were manufactured in 2002 and those buses were a well-known on the streets of Finland, Sweden and Norway. Export operations had developed rapidly.
2004
New markets were opened in 2004, when we started close cooperation with China. Several vehicles were delivered to the Beijing Emergency Center.
2006
In 2006 The Company was awarded with a Growth Company in Eastern and Northern Finland.
2007
The Profile Genios Ambulance was productized on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base vehicle in 2006.
2006
Profile delivered 61 vehicles to Kuwait in 2007.
2007
Profile Neo ambulance was productized in 2007 for the new Volkswagen Transporter T5 base vehicle.
2010 – 2019
2010
ISO 9001 The quality management system was audited for the first time in every Profile factory, in 2010. Quality has always been the cornerstone in Profile products and service and guaranteed by quality management systems.
profile-advanz-ambulance-ergonomics
2012
The Hungarian branch office was founded in 2012, and it is the newest member of our group. The Hungarian unit offers a various special vehicles and sales as well as after-sales service.
2015
Our CEO, Marko Repo, was awarded the Entrepreneur of Eastern Finland in 2015.
2015
Profile Advanz Mercedes-Benz Vito VAN ambulance was productized in 2015.
2017
Profile Optimus ambulance was productized on the Ford Transit base vehicle in 2017.
2018
Profile Vehicles Ltd. was named official Volkswagen PremiumPartner in 2018.
2018
Profile Leonardo ambulance was productized on the Fiat Ducato base vehicle in 2018.
2019
Profile Vehicles Oy is the third international company in Europe which has been awarded with the Green Lean Continuous Improvement Certificate. Green Lean training focuses on three different aspects: economic, ecological and social sustainability. Profile is committed to Green Lean operating models and focuses on continuous improvement.
