Our Story
It all began just after the World War II. In the late 1940’s.
Finland was still suffering from the after-effects of a horrific conflict and food supplies were dangerously scarce.
Martti Nuotio, the grandfather of today’s CEO Reko Nieminen, built his first beehives back in that time.
He placed them deep in the heart of Finnish woodland. Exactly the same location as it is used for honey production today.
Martti studied all he could about beekeeping.
With a natural environment that was so abundant of flowers in spring and summertime, more honey than his family could have imagined flowed from the modest number of hives.
Martti sold honey to the neighboring villagers who without doubt would have considered this honey to be “a nectar of the Gods” in a time of such shortage.
Over the time the business grew into a modest commercial enterprise, one that you would hardly know existed. But why?
Because everything about harvesting and bottling honey was done in a delicate and gentle manner, ensuring that the honey remained in its totally natural state. And not forgetting the precious bees to remain unharmed and healthy during the time.
From the very beginning of Hikiän, there has been one strict rule that is the main secret for the health and wellbeing of the hives: Some for us, some for you.
Hikiän today
The industry in Finland has developed since the early days of beekeeping. However, Reko Nieminen chose to follow the footsteps of his grandfather.
The company rebranded its operations and corporate image in 2016, and since then has started to develop the business more actively.
Today Hikiän beehives have grown in number, but they are still located in the very same area of woodland used by Reko’s grandfather.
While in his youth Reko pursued his passion of motorcycle racing on the European Circuit while also working on IT.
However, Reko’s roots and family values were firmly embedded in the soil of southern Finland, and the lure of nature and unspoiled woodland proved too great – and he finally returned to Hikiä, a small village in southern Finland.
Hikiän has strict principles. We never want to see some of the traditional sustainable methods to change. We want to make sure we have bees also for the next generations. That is why we still have beehives made from wood so that the bees can have as natural habitat as possible.
Were the business to shut down tomorrow nature would reclaim the hives and the bees would carry on as if nothing has ever changed.
Today Hikiän is a globally awarded international company and has expanded the global reach to both Middle and Far East and the Orient. Lately market has been widened also in Europe.
Company values and actions are leaning strongly to the sustainability, 100 % naturalness as well as the wellbeing of the bees.
Hikiän team wants to bring added value to the clients and raise knowledge of nature, wellbeing and sustainable food production.
Welcome to join our journey!