Pedestrian Safety Reflectors - Reflector History

TALMU PEDESTRIAN REFLECTOR HISTORY:

1950 | 1960 | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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