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Talmu pedestrian reflector history
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Talmu pedestrian reflectors are a
Finnish invention. Talmu was established after the Second World War, at a
time when Finnish society was in a state of upheaval and the country was
becoming increasingly industrialized. Mr. Arvi Lehti, a farmer from a
Finnish village called Pertteli, felt this upheaval and experimented with
different business ventures during the 1940s and 1950s. At the same time,
the plastics industry gained a foothold in Finland. Mr. Lehti also became
interested in this field.
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1950:
In 1955, Mr. Arvi Lehti purchased a
plastic injection molding
machine, which he first used to produce household goods
in his barn and later reflectors for horse carts and carriages.
The name of the company was T:mi Talousmuovi Lehti & Kumppani.
In
1956, Talousmuovi started to produce plastic parts for radio
and television for the Salora
company. This became the main production area for the company.
At the end of the 1950's, the
reflector market for cars and other vehicles grew when laws came into
effect concerning safety equipment on vehicles.
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1960:
In the
1960's, the Finnish Traffic Police and
the Finnish Traffic Safety Organization
turned to Talousmuovi in order to obtain a reflector that could be used
by pedestrians. As a result of product development, a product was
created that was officially approved by the authorities as a safety
device.
In 1965, the first rectangular shaped pedestrian reflector was
created. During the same year, the former Talousmuovi name changed to
T:mi TALMU-Tuote and exports to Sweden began.
In 1965, the first rectangular shaped
pedestrian reflector was created. During the same year, the former
Talousmuovi name changed to T:mi TALMU-Tuote and exports to Sweden began.
In 1968, Talmu bought the company
called MK-TIKKA, and became the market leader in vehicle light and
reflector production in
Finland.
In 1969, Talmu made the snowflake
pedestrian reflector for the Finnish Red Cross. New traffic safety
regulations increased the demand for Talmu warning triangles, which became
the main export product.
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1970:
 In
1972, exports to Germany began.
In 1973, Talmu produced the first
custom-made pedestrian reflectors for companies. During the same year, our
own product range was supplemented with new pedestrian reflector models
shaped as hearts, clovers, smaller rectangles and snowflakes.
In 1974,
the pedestrian reflector range increased to incorporate round models.
At the end of the
1970's, the Japanese market opened up
when the law concerning warning triangles came into
effect: there was no warning triangle producer in the country.
Talmu seized the opportunity and at the end of the 1970s approximately
half of all
manufactured triangles went to Japan. Talmu held a strong position within
the reflector market, particularly concerning pedestrian reflectors, since
Talmu was practically the only producer within the Nordic countries.
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1980:
 By the
1980's, Talmu had developed into a
concern comprising eight units. The business focusing on lights for
vehicles and pedestrian reflectors took place within the company, Autocomp
Oy, and its parent company was Oy Talmu Ab.
Since 1980, pedestrian reflector sales
in Germany have been conducted together with our co-operation partner,
M.B.W. Vertriebs GmbH.
In 1982, a new pedestrian model was
launched: Flower.
1983 was the Year of Nordic Traffic
Safety, involving Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. During that year,
many million Talmu pedestrian reflectors were sold only in the Nordic
countries.
In 1984, a new pedestrian reflector
model was launched: Triangle.
In the 1980's, the German Hella
Concern became a partner of Talmu, owning 50 % of the company; later
becoming the sole owner. At this stage, Talmu products included vehicle
warning triangles, lights, accessories and reflectors.
In 1987, a new pedestrian reflector
model was launched: Bus.
In 1989, a new pedestrian reflector
model was launched: Car.
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1990:
In the 1990's,
the company was certified with the quality management system complying
with ISO 9001/QS 9000 and ISO 14001.
In 1993, a new pedestrian reflector
model was launched: Dinosaur.
In 1995, a new pedestrian reflector
model was launched: Clown.
In 1996, a new pedestrian reflector
model was launched: Mouse.
In 1999, a new pedestrian reflector
model was launched: Birdie.
In 1999, the company name changed to
Hella Lighting Finland Oy. During the same year, the first pedestrian
reflectors were engraved with the CE certificate.
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2000:
In 2000, a new pedestrian reflector model was launched: Bottle.
During the same year, the Talmu pedestrian reflector range expanded
to
include soft reflectors and slap-wrap reflectors.
In 2003, a new pedestrian reflector model was launched: T-shirt.
In 2003, Talmu was certified with the ISO/TS 16949 standard.
In 2004, a new pedestrian reflector model was launched: Mobile
Phone
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