Finland’s only sleigh bell manufacturer survives after owner overcomes addiction
Finland’s sole sleigh bell factory, Keski Oy, has not only endured financial and personal crises but is now expanding production, according to a report by national broadcaster Yle.
Sami Haara, the company’s owner, has spoken openly about his past struggles with alcohol and cocaine addiction, which nearly derailed the family business. He also served prison sentences for severe accounting fraud and dishonesty by a debtor after illegally transferring company funds to himself and an Estonian firm he owned between 2012 and 2017. Haara admitted guilt in court.
Haara took over the business at 23 after his parents died in the same year, leaving the company near bankruptcy. Initially, heavy partying was part of his lifestyle, but it did not yet interfere with work. Early on, he faced skepticism from retailers who dismissed sleigh bells as a product only bought by the elderly. “That made me decide to prove them wrong,” he said.
His addiction later affected his leadership, making him inconsistent, though he managed to hide the problem. “If anyone noticed, they didn’t intervene,” Haara recalled.
A turning point came in 2008 when he was convicted of a drug offense after purchasing cocaine with friends. “Maybe it was good we got caught—I sobered up,” he said. He entered Minnesota-model rehabilitation that New Year’s Eve and later sought treatment twice more, realizing that workaholism could also be an addiction.
Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, Haara now understands his struggles with focus and impulsivity. “When I first tried alcohol, drugs, or exciting work, it consumed me,” he explained.
Factory expansion and future plans
The Suonenjoki city-owned factory, built for Keski Oy in the early 2000s, is undergoing renovations to improve ventilation and cooling. The city is funding the upgrades, with Keski committing to continue operations and eventually purchase the property.
Haara plans to expand production and export to Sweden, citing strong preliminary demand. “Pre-marketing and the first trial shipments show there’s interest,” he said.
Founded in 1946 in Pieksämäki, Keski Oy moved to Suonenjoki in 2005. It employs around 15 people (more during peak seasons) and reported a profit of approximately €180,000 for 2024. City officials support the investment, praising Haara’s cooperation and the company’s role as a local employer.
Haara now lives in Helsinki with his family but visits the factory monthly. Reflecting on his journey, he advises others struggling with addiction to seek therapeutic treatment and peer support—resources he still uses today. “I’ve learned to be at peace,” he said. “I’m not gripping the bat all the time anymore.”