Company

History

Oriola has more than 100 years of experience in the pharmaceutical wholesale markets in Finland, Sweden, Russia and the Baltic countries. The wholesale operations in Sweden were started already in 1907 and the Finnish Oriola Oy was founded in 1948. The Baltic wholesale operations were started in the 90’s and the Russian wholesale operations in 1996. Oriola has gone through major changes to become a one strong Oriola wholesale brand.

Apteekkitavarakauppa Oriola Oy's founders: on the left Sauli Sipilä (Master of laws trained on the bench) secretary of the board of directors at that time, archiatre Arvo Ylppö, chairman of the Orion Oy's board of directors and professor Erkki Leikola, Managing Director of Orion Oy. (Photo 1979)

Sipilä, Ylppö, Leikola

Oriola Oy moved from Vallila to Espoo's Mankkaa 1968. warehouse

Oriola Oy's new central warehouse was inaugurated in 11.11.1988. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Helena Pesola (on left) on excursion in the new central warehouse. minister at warehouse

Extension of the central warehouse was celebrated in Espoo 20.11.2011. construction

Milestones

1948

Oriola was founded in Finland as part of the Orion Group under the name Apteekkitavarakauppa Oriola Oy with the purpose of importing, selling and distributing pharmaceuticals and other chemical products as well as sanitary goods and other closely related products.

1954

Apteekkitavarakauppa Oriola Oy changed its name to Oriola Oy.

1970

Oriola Oy’s Medical Products department started in the beginning of 1970 in Finland.

1972-1979

The Laboratory Supplies department started in 1972 in Finland. Hammasväline Oy, a dental supplier, became a wholly-owned Oriola Oy’s subsidiary in 1974. In 1979 Oriola Oy entered the X-ray business.

1986

Oriola bought Reformi-Keskus, which was specialized to natural products and health food and Oriola’s food and natural product business expanded.

2006

Oriola becomes a part of Oriola-KD after the demerger of Orion Group. Oriola-KD becomes the leading player in the pharmaceuticals wholesale trade in Finland and Sweden as measured by market shares at the time.

2007

Oriola-KD and Lifco AB created a joint company and 70 percent of Oriola-KD’s dental business was sold to Lifco.

2007

Oriola Oy’s laboratory supplies department, Medical Products department and X-Ray business were combined into Healthcare Trade Business.

2008

Consumer Health business unit was born on the basis of Reformi-Keskus. Consumer Healht’s products include many leading health and wellbeing brands such as Gefilus and Lysi.

2010

Oriola’s new brand was launched in Finland. The Healthcare Trade business was sold to Mediq N.V. and Oriola Oy concentrated on development of the pharmaceutical distribution and Consumer Health business.

2011

KD Pharma in Sweden and Moron in Russia were rebranded to Oriola, and Oriola Oy is part of strong international Oriola wholesale brand.