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R & E Paint Supply's selection of Mirka Abrasives and Sand paper designed for automotive refinishing.
Mirka Abrasives
Sanding Solutions for Automotive Refinishing
Mirka Abrasives supplies sand paper and abrasives to the automotive refinishing aftermarket worldwide. Well known for thier unique products, complete sanding systems and sanding solutions. Mirka abrasives covers applications of highest importance, from tough down-to-metal sanding and leveling of fillers and stoppers to surface reconditioning and polishing. As one of the leading manufacturers in the automotive refinishing sector, they have the resources to meet virtually all of your demands within automotive refinishing.
Mirka Abrasives History
Mirka Abrasives was founded in 1943 in Helsinki by the engineer Onni Aulo. Due to the war-time circumstances and technical problems, the production did not start until January 1946. Despite obstacles and strict regulations at that time, Onni Aulo succeeded in just half a year's time to learn how to manage the production process, something which was quite an achievement. After many moves and various economic successes the company decided in 1962 to move to Kiitola in Jeppo, where they had found suitable premises. In 1966 Oy Keppo Ab bought Mirka Abrasives and in 1973 the two companies were merged.
Already in the early 1960'es a considerable part of Mirka Abrasives products were exported to the USA, as well as to Great Britain and Iceland. Thanks to the growing export markets, the productivity more than doubled in 1965. At the end of the 1970's, exports amounted to 54 % of the turnover.
In order to survive on the international sand paper market, it was necessary to give up the cheap bulk products and concentrate instead on product development and high class industry products. In 1969, the first high class products reached the market and in the same year the manufacturing of self-adhesive discs started, which is still today the most important product group.
Since the new products required better production equipment and enlarged facilities, it was decided in 1972 to invest in a modern factory which was ready the following year.
In 1977 parts of the production were moved to Oravais. The Oravais factory has been gradually expanding over the years, most recently in 2003. The factory in Jeppo has been gradually expanding during the 1980's and 90's. The automated warehouse, the Jumbo Tower, Mirka's landmark in Jeppo was ready in 1996 and in September 2004 the newest building, hall 9 and office facilities, were inaugurated.
The first sales companies were founded in the UK in 1976 and in Germany in 1980. The subsidiary in the USA was founded in 1985, followed by Sweden and France in 1992, Italy in 1995 and Spain in 2003. An export office was founded in 1996 in Malaysia and was in 2000 moved to Singapore and is now upgraded to a branch office. During 2006 Mirka opened subsidiaries in Brazil and Mexico and a representative office in Shanghai, China.
Today Mirka Abrasives is an international company and a member of the KWH Group. The KWH Group was established in 1984 when Oy Keppo Ab bought half the shares of Oy Wiik & Hglund Ab. The KWH Group is an internationally recognized actor in the business world of today.
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