The log house market is growing against the trend – Ollikainen rose to a 10% market share
The position of log houses in Finnish construction is strengthening, even though overall demand for construction has been declining. According to the Log House Market 2022–2025 report published by Rakennustutkimus RTS Oy on January 1, 2026, the order backlog for industrial logs grew by as much as 46 percent in euro terms compared to the previous year. At the same time, order books for wooden and stone houses have been on a downward trend.
Leisure housing has been particularly popular: the largest growth in industrial log orders has been in leisure homes. Although the order book for construction in euros has decreased by 11 percent compared to the previous year, logs have risen as an exception in the market.
A small starter grew into a big player
Ollikainen Hirsirakenne Oy has benefited particularly from market growth, with its market share of domestic log construction growing exceptionally rapidly:
2023: 1.8%
2024: 3.9%
2025: 10%
- Log construction has clearly found a new role at a time when the construction industry is otherwise seeking direction. For us, growth has been the result of long-term efforts and the courage to invest even when the market has been uncertain, says CEO Tero Ollikainen.
Investments laid the foundation for growth
The rapid growth in market share of Ollikainen's log structures has accelerated the company's decision to invest in a new production line in Ruovesi. Launched in 2025, the €3 million investment will create the conditions for increasing capacity as demand for industrial logs strengthens.
- The market and our own order book clearly showed the direction in which demand is heading. With this investment, we are preparing for continued growth, Ollikainen says.
The growth of Ollikainen's log construction business is also directly reflected in the company's subcontracting chain. A single log house project employs a number of different operators, from earthworks contractors to transport companies and specialists, many of whom are small entrepreneurs or subcontractors to subcontractors.
— As construction progresses, the impact will not be limited to one company. We are talking about dozens of man-years and the preservation of local expertise in Finland, says Ollikainen .
Log will strengthen its position in the coming years
According to the RTS report, the market for industrial logs will develop much more positively than other small house construction between 2022 and 2025. This development is supported by factors such as the ecological nature of logs, their domestic origin, and interest in long-lasting and adaptable buildings.
Ollikainen's Log Construction division expects demand to remain stable in both the consumer and project sectors in 2026.
Source: Rakennustutkimus RTS Oy: Log house market 2022–2025, published on January 1, 2026
Further information:
Tero Ollikainen
Managing Director
Ollikaisen Hirsirakenne Oy
tel. +358 40 581 0188
email:tero.ollikainen@ohr.fi
www.ohr.fi
