Autoteollisuus-Bilindustri
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| Company type | osakeyhtiö |
|---|---|
| Industry | automotive |
| Predecessor | Munkkisaaren Autotalli ja Konepaja |
| Founded | 25 June 1928 |
| Founder | Mauritz Packalén |
| Defunct | 20 October 1932 |
| Fate | discontinued after putting together its operations with O/Y Autokoritehdas |
| Successor | O/Y Suomen Autoteollisuus A/B |
| Headquarters | Helsinki , Finland |
| Products | bus coaches and lorry cabins |
| Owner | Mauritz Packalén Birger Holmström Arne Söderberg[1] |
O.Y. Autoteollisuus – A.B. Bilindustri was a bus coach and lorry cabin builder which operated in Helsinki, Finland in 1928–1932.[1]
The company was founded by Mauritz Packalén and it built coaches and cabins mainly on Chevrolet and G.M.C. chassis. After falling into financial problems, the funding banks forced the company to put together its operations with the neighbouring competitor O/Y Autokoritehdas; this led to foundation of O/Y Suomen Autoteollisuus A/B.
Mauritz Packalén, a Helsinki businessman who had gained experience in automobile business, founded together with Gustaf Wrede, Birger Sourander and Birger Holmström a company called O.Y. Henry-Auto A.B. for automobile trading in 1924. At an early stage Henry-Auto and Metro-Auto Oy founded jointly Munkkisaaren Autotalli ja Konepaja, "Munkkisaari garage and engineering works". The line of business was officially "automobile coach production, automobile repairing and retail". However, it was soon discontinued, as Metro-Auto gave up with the business.[1]
Foundation
Packalén invested the funds which had remained from Munkkisaaren Autotalli ja Konepaja on new company, O.Y. Autoteollisuus – A.B. Bilindustri; the name means "automobile industry" both in Finnish and Swedish. A suitable location was found in Fleming Street in Kallio, Helsinki where were many workshops and also a plenty of skilled workers. The new company continued the operation of its predecessor.[1]
Ownership and management
At the initial stage the major owner was Packalén and other shareholders were Birger Holmström and Arne Söderberg. Later Söderberg sold his part and Gustaf Wrede became an owner with a minor share. At the beginning Packalén was both the chair and General Manager; Kosti Nieminen held the manager's post for some time until Packalén took it again. However, he was not willing to stay on the leadership, but gave it to young engineer Tor Nessling at the end of 1929. Nessling remained the manager until the company was discontinued.[1]
