The history of Raahen Valu

Raahen Valu was founded in 1955 by brothers Eino and Olavi Tuomaala. The foundry is one of Finland’s oldest craft foundries, where bronze products are made using sand casting in two-part flasks.

Brothers Olavi, Eino, and Martti Tuomaala were skilled foundrymen, and their work spoke volumes of their immense craftsmanship.

Iron castings were once produced up to 2000 kg. At its peak, the foundry employed 12 people. Iron castings for Rautaruukki and other industrial facilities were discontinued in the 1970s. Eino continued working at the foundry, shifting his focus from iron to bronze casting. The masterfully crafted reliefs, chapel bells, dinner bells and ship bells, door signs, Pekka statues, and especially the Old Gentleman keychains, have traveled from Raahe all over the world. If a bell didn’t ring beautifully, it was considered a scrap and went straight back into the melting pot to be recast.

Eino worked as a foundryman for over 60 years. Even today, an unfinished molding flask can be found on the floor of the foundry, set to be cast the ‘following’ week in January 2009. However, the 84-year-old foundryman’s work was cut short when his journey came to an end on January 9, 2009. Eino began his casting career at the age of 16 at Ruona Oy. His work was interrupted at the age of 18 when he was called up to defend his country. Throughout his career, he also

became familiar with the Finnish foundries of Haapakoski, Tikkakoski, and Rautpohja, as well as the Oulun Konepaja on Pikisaari.

International Mercur once ordered 10 numbered bronze apples—so-called “golden apples”—from Eino Tuomaala. Although no actual gold casting was involved, these unique bronze apples were crafted at the foundry. The client presented the “golden apples” to individuals who had promoted Finland internationally. The recipients include Teemu Selänne, Martin Saarikangas, and Tove Jansson.

At Raahen Taitopaja, the casting tradition lives on. We produce small-scale, sand-cast products upon request, such as nameplates, memorial plaques, and grave plaques. On display are foundry tools and original casting patterns from the early years of the foundry. Through our live demonstrations, you can experience the rich casting heritage firsthand.