In 1936, Tuomas Vohlonen founded Suunto after inventing a revolutionary way to make more accurate and reliable compasses. But one of the most important leaders in Suunto’s history is rarely mentioned. His wife, Elli Vohlonen, had been there from the beginning. When Tuomas passed away in the spring of 1939, Elli stepped in to lead the young company. | At a time when few women ran industrial businesses, Elli took responsibility for the company, its future, and the patents behind Tuomas’ invention. For the next 13 years, she guided Suunto through wartime and the difficult post-war economy. With a small team of fewer than 20 people, she helped the company adapt as compass demand shifted from the military to hikers, explorers and orienteers around the world. |
Elli remained CEO until 1952, making her the longest-serving CEO in Suunto’s 90-year history. | |
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This International Women's Day, we celebrate Elli Vohlonen and the generations of women who have shaped Suunto since – from the people designing and building our products to the athletes and adventurers pushing boundaries in the mountains, forests and oceans. Elli’s leadership helped shape Suunto’s early years. Today, women across our community continue to shape where we go next. |
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#Suunto #adventurestartshere |
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