Berner

What Berner does

Berner is a fifth-generation Finnish family-owned diversified manufacturer and distributor founded in 1883 in Helsinki, operating four business areas — Consumer Goods, Healthcare and Laboratories, Agriculture, and Industry — across Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Baltic countries, with 36% of FY2025 revenue (EUR 677.6M) generated outside Finland. The group produces personal care, cosmetics, hygiene, and vinegar products in its own Finnish facilities (notably Heinävesi on 99.9-100% renewable energy, plus Kouvola, Kokemäki, Lapua, Kaipiainen, Mietoinen, Ylöjärvi, Raahe, and Kokkola) under proprietary brands such as XZ, LV, Oxygenol, Ainu, Korrek, HETI, Herbina, and Rajamäen, while holding exclusive Nordic distribution rights for international principals including 4711, Nuxe, Mavala, Kikkoman, BIC, OMRON, Aerogen, and Manfred Sauer. Professional and industrial operations span Berner Medical (infection control, medical devices, assistive technology, professional cleaning), Berner Lab (laboratory equipment and consumables in the Nordics), Viljelijän Berner and Gullviks (agricultural inputs and advisory), Berner Industries (industrial chemicals, food and feed raw materials, magnesium products, and water treatment chemicals via the Chemigate and Voda Nordic subsidiaries), and Berner Turf (professional turf inputs). Berner generates revenue primarily through wholesale and direct distribution to retail, B2B customers, and public healthcare, supplemented by direct-to-consumer e-commerce (BernerShop.fi) and the Helsinki Berner Shop; the group is family-controlled with no public listing, no external institutional investors, an equity ratio of 52.8% (2025), operating profit of EUR 39.8M (2025, +23% YoY), and EcoVadis Platinum sustainability status placing it in the top 1% of rated companies.

Name

Berner

Legal name

Berner Ltd

Website

https://berner.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1883

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Berner is a fifth-generation Finnish family-owned manufacturer and distributor founded in 1883, operating across Consumer Goods, Healthcare and Laboratories, Agriculture, and Industry in six Nordic and Baltic countries, with EUR 677.6M revenue in 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diversified Consumer Goods and Industrial Manufacturing

NAICS

Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42345), Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (4246), Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047), Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonfood Grocery & HBC Wholesale (Paper, Cleaning, Personal Care) (AFAIABAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water & Home System Care (Water Softeners, Septic Treatments, Drain/Openers, Appliance Cleaners) (CRADAKAK)

Keywords

• Consumer goods manufacturing
• Personal care products
• Healthcare product distribution
• Agricultural crop protection
• Industrial specialty chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consumer Goods: Development, manufacturing, and distribution of consumer products including cosmetics, personal care, baby care, oral hygiene, car care, household, and food products. Own brands (XZ, LV, Herbina, Ainu, Tummeli, Heti, Oxygenol, Provisor, Bea Pro) and international brands (4711, Nuxe, Mavala, BIC, Kikkoman, OMRON). Revenue from wholesale distribution and direct-to-consumer e-commerce.
2. Healthcare and Laboratories: Distribution of healthcare products, medical devices, assistive technology, professional cleaning products, and laboratory equipment. Serves public healthcare, private healthcare, care sector, and professional cleaning companies in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Estonia. Revenue through distribution agreements and service contracts.
3. Agriculture (Crop Production): Agricultural supplies including crop protection products, fertilizers, seeds, and advisory services for farmers. Viljelijän Berner in Finland and Gullviks in Sweden serve farmers directly. Revenue from product sales and distribution margins.
4. Industry: Supply of industrial chemicals, food and feed raw materials, water treatment chemicals, starch-based binders and adhesives, and magnesium products to manufacturing industry and infrastructure sector. Revenue from product sales and distribution.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Berner manufactures and distributes consumer goods (skincare, haircare, oral hygiene, baby care, cleaning, car care, food, footwear) through own Finnish brands like XZ, LV, HETI, Oxygenol, Korrek, Ainu, and Atopik, and represents international brands including Kikkoman, BIC, Mavala, Nuxe, 4711, and OMRON. The company also distributes healthcare and laboratory products (Berner Medical, Berner Lab), agricultural supplies (Viljelijän Berner, Berner Turf), and industrial chemicals (Berner Industries, Chemigate, Voda Nordic) to professional and B2B customers across the Nordic and Baltic countries.

Product overview

Berner is a diversified Finnish family-owned company (founded 1883) operating across four business areas: Consumer Goods, Healthcare and Laboratories, Agriculture, and Industry. The company both manufactures products in Finland (Heinävesi, Herttoniemi, and other locations) and distributes international brands. Consumer products include skincare (XZ, LV, Tummeli, Provisor), cosmetics (GOSH COPENHAGEN, Murumuru, Natuk, Ekopharma, Pure=Beauty, Unna Nordic), oral care (Oxygenol), baby care (Ainu), automotive care (Korrek, Lasol), cleaning (HETI), food products (Rajamäen vinegars, Kikkoman, Limmi, Sacla), and various consumer goods. Professional offerings include Berner Medical (healthcare and cleaning solutions), Berner Lab (laboratory equipment), Berner Industries (industrial chemicals, including Chemigate and Voda Nordic), Viljelijän Berner (agriculture), Berner Turf (professional turf), GreenCare Pro, and B2B/B2C e-commerce platforms (Berner Proshop, Viljelijän Berner, Berner Shop). The company serves consumers, professionals, and industrial customers across Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Baltic countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LV: Finnish skincare brand designed especially for sensitive skin, suitable for allergic or atopic skin
• XZ
• HETI
• Oxygenol
• Korrek
• Ainu
• Herbina
• Rajamäen
• GreenCare
• Btb13
• Atopik
• Natuk
• Murumuru
• Pure=Beauty
• Ekopharma
• Unna Nordic
• by Raili
• Free
• Tummeli
• Provisor
• Bea Pro
• Berner Lab
• Berner Medical

Products and services

• Berner Consumer Goods Manufacturing and Distribution Manufacturing and distribution of consumer personal care, cosmetics, household cleaning, oral hygiene, baby care, automotive care, food, footwear and wellness products under Finnish own brands (XZ, LV, HETI, Oxygenol, Korrek, Ainu, Atopik, Herbina, Rajamäen, Tummeli, Provisor, BTB13, Nokian Jalkineet, etc.) and Nordic representation of international brands (Kikkoman, BIC, Mavala, Nuxe, 4711, OMRON, M2 Beauté, GOSH COPENHAGEN, UHU, Tabac, Route 66, Ballograf, Limmi, Sacla, Aceto Balsamico del Duca, Foldermate, mec, Citizen).
• Berner Shop (BernerShop.fi) Direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform operated by Berner Oy selling Berner own-brand consumer products (skincare, haircare, cleaning, oral hygiene, baby care, car care, food, footwear, pest control) and selected represented international brands. Operates 24/7 with delivery within Finland. Located at Hitsaajankatu 24, Helsinki.
• Berner ProShop B2B e-commerce platform offering Berner's professional product portfolio for healthcare professionals, professional cleaning companies, kitchen hygiene professionals, and animal welfare professionals. Customers access infection control, surgical products, personal protection, healthcare consumables, assistive devices, and professional cleaning solutions through the dedicated online shop.
• Viljelijän Berner (Farmer's Berner) Agricultural supplies direct to Finnish farmers including plant protection products (crop protection), fertilizers, leaf fertilizers, seeds (forage and consumer), measuring equipment, and cultivation advisory services. Operates e-commerce platform viljelijanberner.fi and direct sales force with shared advisory services. Includes Hyvän Maan regenerative farming program aligned with sustainability and emission-reduction targets.
• Berner Medical Trusted partner for healthcare and cleaning professionals operating in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Estonia. Provides infection control, surgical products, personal protection, healthcare consumables, assistive devices, medical supplies, orthoses and supports (via Haltija Group acquisition), respiratory care solutions (via Aerogen partnership), and urology product lines (via Manfred Sauer distribution agreement).
• Berner Lab Comprehensive equipment and service solutions for laboratories serving food industry, chemical industry, environmental laboratories, academia and research institutes. Provides analytical chemistry, automation, biology/life science equipment, basic instruments, consumables, and technical service across Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Estonia.
• Berner Industries (Teollisuuden Berner) Supply of industrial chemicals, food and feed raw materials, specialty chemicals, water treatment chemicals (via Voda Nordic), starch-based binders and adhesives (via Chemigate), and magnesium products to manufacturing industry and infrastructure sector. Operations cover all continents with particular focus on Finnish and Nordic industrial customers in paper, board, mining and cleantech sectors.
• Berner Turf Distributes professional turf seeds, fertilizers, and maintenance products for golf courses, football fields, municipalities, and landscaping professionals across Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Established in 2025 with strategic cooperation agreement with Barenbrug (2026) covering exclusive distribution of Barenbrug's professional turf seed portfolio in the Nordic and Baltic markets.
• GreenCare Pro Professional turf and lawn care product line combining expertise and ease for grounds maintenance professionals. Covers fertilizers, grass seeds, and complete lawn care solutions for golf courses, sports grounds, and landscaping professionals.
• Chemigate Manufacturer of modified starch-based binders, adhesives, and specialty chemicals for the forest industry (paper and board) and industrial applications. Raw materials are ecologically sustainable Finnish barley and potato starch. Operates three production plants in Finland and continues as an independent subsidiary following Berner's 2021 majority acquisition. Includes associated Finnamyl Group majority holding acquired in 2022.
• Voda Nordic Supplies water treatment chemicals for municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment plants. Products include iron- and aluminum-based precipitation chemicals, organic coagulants, polymers, and pH adjustment chemicals. Operates liquid ferric chloride production facility in Raahe and liquid ferric sulfate production facility in Kokkola, with solid water chemicals delivered from logistics terminals in ports. Acquired by Berner in June 2025.
• KS Tutkinto Online crop protection exam service approved by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (TUKES), enabling professional pesticide applicators to obtain their certification to handle plant protection products.

Quantifiable outcome

• EcoVadis Platinum rating score 86/100, top 1% of all rated companies
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BarenbrugcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 May 2026Strategic cooperation agreement making Berner Turf the exclusive distributor of Barenbrug's professional turf seed portfolio in Finland, Sweden, and Norway, extending to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Also cooperation in consumer grass seed in Finland. Barenbrug is one of the world's leading grass seed breeders. Cooperation enters force during 2026 season with full portfolio available for 2027 growing season. Builds on existing forage seed cooperation between Berner's agricultural businesses (Viljelijän Berner and Gullviks) and Barenbrug. Barenbrug also provides technical support across the entire region.
• Manfred SauercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2026Expanded exclusive distribution partnership covering all four Nordic markets (now including Denmark). Berner Medical distributes Manfred Sauer's IQ-Cath intermittent catheter and urology product range. Manfred Sauer GmbH is a leading German manufacturer of urology medical devices founded in 1974.
• AerogencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2026Deepened long-term strategic partnership between Berner Medical and Aerogen, the world leader in acute care aerosol drug delivery. Expanded to cover Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Renewed multi-year distribution agreement. Berner Medical distributes Aerogen's respiratory care solutions across all four Nordic markets.
• Voda Nordic LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 June 2025Berner acquired Voda Nordic Ltd, a company specializing in water treatment chemicals. Founded in 2013, Voda Nordic operates a liquid ferric chloride production facility in Raahe and liquid ferric sulfate production facility in Kokkola. Solid water chemicals delivered from logistics terminals in ports. Turnover EUR 7.6 million in 2024.
• Indigrow AB (Sweden) and Indigrow AS (Norway)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 April 2025Berner acquired the operations of Indigrow AB in Sweden and Indigrow AS in Norway, expanding its long-standing distribution of professional turf products for golf courses, football fields, and landscaping. This led to the establishment of Berner Turf as a new Nordic business unit. Personnel, warehouses, and customer accounts transferred to Berner.
• Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2023Berner joined the Science Based Targets climate initiative. Set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. Targets approved by SBTi in 2025. Includes Scope 1, 2, 3, and FLAG emissions reduction targets.
• UN Global CompactcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Berner is committed to the UN Global Compact corporate responsibility initiative. Commits to the 10 principles covering human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
• Responsible Care programme (chemical industry)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Berner participates in the chemical industry's international Responsible Care programme, demonstrating commitment to environmental and safety standards.
• ClaraLab AB (with LAB Sweden AB, LAB Norway AS, LAB Denmark Aps)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 March 2022Bröderna Berner AB acquired ClaraLab AB, a Swedish laboratory equipment distributor operating in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Complements Berner's existing laboratory business. Products for analytical chemistry, automation, biology/life science, basic equipment and consumables. 25 employees. Continues as independent subsidiary.
• Finnamyl GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Berner subsidiary Chemigate acquired majority vote in Finnamyl Group, Finland's leading manufacturer of starch potato products. Supports Berner's position in the Finnish potato starch production chain.
• Apetit Plc's grain trade businessminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Acquisition of Apetit Plc's grain trade business strengthened Berner's agricultural business and diversification.
• Finnamyl and Lapuan Peruna (Helmi project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaboration in the Helmi project to develop starch potato cultivation with Finnamyl and Lapuan Peruna. Focus on improving cultivation profitability, securing long-term raw material supply, and incorporating sustainability aspects including nutrient use efficiency, crop diversification, and field-specific emission calculations.
• Haltija Group LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 October 2021Berner acquired Haltija Group Ltd, the leading actor in assistive technology and service industry in Finland. Serves public and private healthcare sectors and consumers with assistive devices, medical supplies, and orthoses/supports. Turnover EUR 25.5 million in 2020 with 120 employees. Complements Berner Pro product portfolio.
• Chemigate LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 June 2021Berner acquired a majority stake in Chemigate Ltd, a manufacturer of modified starch-based binders, adhesives, and specialty chemicals for the forest industry. Raw materials are ecologically sustainable barley and potato starch from Finnish nature. Three plants in Finland. Turnover EUR 60.8 million in 2020. Chemigate continues as independent subsidiary.
• Dolema ABcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 March 2021Bröderna Berner AB acquired Dolema AB, a Swedish medical device distributor. Strengthens Berner Medical position in the Nordics. Main product groups include respiratory products (nebulisers), urology products (catheters, ostomy care). 12 employees in Sweden and Norway.
• Suomen MediTuote LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Acquisition of majority stake in Suomen MediTuote Ltd in 2020 strengthened Berner's MedTech position in Finland.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Orkla: Norwegian-listed conglomerate with branded consumer goods, industrial chemicals, and Nordic-wide distribution. Closest direct comparable to Berner given overlapping four-segment structure (consumer, healthcare/industrial, agriculture-adjacent), Nordic geographic footprint, and acquisition-led growth history.
• Fazer: Finnish family-owned conglomerate spanning bakery, confectionery, and foodservice. Comparable to Berner on Nordic consumer goods breadth, multi-country operations, and long-standing family ownership with diversified portfolio.
• Paulig: Finnish family-owned food and consumer goods company (coffee, seasonings, snacks). Comparable to Berner as a Finnish family-owned branded consumer manufacturer with Nordic distribution and category-led brand portfolio.
• Lantmännen: Swedish agricultural cooperative with significant consumer food and grain processing operations. Comparable to Berner on the agriculture-to-consumer vertical integration logic, Nordic footprint, and farmer-as-owner governance structure.

Broad incumbents

• Beiersdorf: German personal-care CPG major (NIVEA, Eucerin). Comparable to Berner's XZ, LV, Atopik, and Oxygenol consumer skincare portfolio in category positioning, but at vastly greater scale and international distribution.
• Huhtamäki: Finnish-listed global consumer packaging manufacturer with industrial scale well beyond Berner. Comparable as a Finnish diversified industrial/consumer company with manufacturing roots and Nordic-headquartered operations.
• Brenntag: Global chemical distribution leader. Comparable to Berner Industries' chemical distribution business model (Voda Nordic, Chemigate), though Berner also manufactures while Brenntag primarily distributes.
• Henkel: German global CPG leader spanning adhesives, beauty care, and laundry/home care. Relevant to Berner on consumer products + Chemigate starch-based adhesives overlap, but operates at far greater scale and global reach.
• Bayer Crop Science: Global agricultural inputs giant covering crop protection, seeds, and digital farming. Comparable to Viljelijän Berner / Gullviks agricultural crop protection and seed distribution in the Nordics, but operating at vastly greater scale.

Regional players

• Raisio: Finnish-listed food company (plant-based ingredients, consumer foods). Comparable to Berner's food products segment (Rajamäen vinegars) and as the previous employer of incoming CEO Pasi Flinkman — relevant signal on leadership transition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=G2f9fPYr07A
• Facebookfacebook.com/BernerOy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/berner
• Instagraminstagram.com/berneroy1883
• Xx.com/berneroy

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Berner