Light and Durable – Handcrafting Boats with Decades of Expertise

Launching Boats from the Factory’s Own Dock

The current factory building, located on the banks of the Sipoo River, was completed in 1967. “At that time, Tor-Björn had a summer cottage in the Sipoo archipelago, making the location ideal for both work and leisure. Helsinki was still just a short drive away,” says Johan Wahlman, chairman of the board and one of the owners of Oy Marino Ab.

“It’s a definite advantage that customers don’t necessarily have to lift their boats onto a trailer; they can simply drive them up the river to our dock,” Wahlman summarizes. “Also, the dialogue with the Municipality of Sipoo has been good, and a lot of effort has been put into business services. There are many large industrial areas in the region, and more are being built all the time.”

Marino not only builds new boats but also offers comprehensive maintenance services and winter storage for boats. “Thanks to our long history, many consider us the go-to source for boat-related information, and we often receive consultation calls from our customers. Over the years, word has spread that we always provide excellent service.” As a specialist in fiberglass, Marino also offers subcontracting services worldwide. Additionally, the company represents the Swedish manufacturer Team Tejbrant, which produces street and outdoor furniture, in Finland.

Boatbuilding with Quality Craftsmanship

“All our boats are built from start to finish by hand, so strong craftsmanship is the foundation of our company. The basics can be learned relatively quickly, as laminating is somewhat like wallpapering, involving the careful application of layers. We’ve had a few employees through apprenticeship programs,” Wahlman explains. It typically takes a couple of months to build a boat, and up to five hulls can be in production simultaneously.

Although precise craftsmanship takes time, efficient small-scale production is the key to efficiency. “If a customer places an order at the boat fair in February, the boat will be ready by summer.” “Our approach is very customer-oriented, and communication is key during the order process. We discuss the details of the boats extensively and strive to meet our customers’ wishes.”

Marino aims to produce as little material waste as possible – consumers can purchase sleds and wood carriers made from fiberglass. “In fact, sleds were originally made in the 1960s for the personal use and gifts of employees’ families. People in the sledding hills would ask where they got such a fine sled. The mold for the sled was found by chance in storage and was brought back into production a few years ago,” says Marianne Grundström, Marino’s long-time financial and administrative manager.

Innovative Recycling Solutions for Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a lightweight and durable material, capable of lasting over a century when properly maintained. When the boats eventually reach the end of their lifecycle, their materials can be recycled efficiently and environmentally friendly.

Kuusakoski, located in the Helsinki Ring of Industry area, offers recycling solutions for decommissioned fiberglass boats, wind turbines, airplanes, and other industrial fiberglass composites, which are then delivered to the cement industry as raw material. The shredded composite material is co-processed, allowing it to be utilized 100% without residual ash. The new recycling plant in Hyvinkää is scheduled to be fully operational by late 2025.