We’re excited to share some truly sweet news: Vanajan Keksit has been awarded Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 in Hämeenlinna.
This honour is more than just a title for us, it’s recognition for the passion, precision and teamwork that go into everything we bake. For us, it’s a celebration of where we’ve come from and the direction we’re heading.
Our story began back in the 1960s, in Kantola, Hämeenlinna — and that’s still where our baked goods are made today. In 2007, under the leadership of our CEO Jouko Salonen, the company stepped into a new era as Vanajan Keksit. Since then, we’ve grown steadily and thoughtfully. Today, our team of 34 dedicated professionals craft biscuits, wafers and crisp rolls — and one in five now finds its way to biscuit lovers beyond Finland, across the Nordics.
Our quality benchmark is simple: if people come back for our biscuits again and again, we’ve done our job right
WHY LOCAL BISCUITS MAKE Sense – QUALITY, SUSTAINABILITY & Competitiveness
At Vanajan, we believe that great biscuits start with quality ingredients and responsible choices. That’s why we source local ingredients whenever possible and constantly develop our production to be more environmentally friendly. For example, waste and side streams from our baking process is repurposed as bioenergy, and next year, our factory rooftop will feature our own solar power system.
But responsibility doesn’t end at production. It’s also about what’s inside the package. Vanajan was the first biscuit bakery in Finland to move from palm oil to a rapeseed oil–based recipe. The change was driven by a desire to offer a better option for both the environment and the people who enjoy our products. When taste stays great and nutritional quality improves, we know we’re on the right path. That’s why many of our products carry the Heart Symbol standing for healthier choices.
“Our quality benchmark is simple: if people come back for our biscuits again and again, we’ve done our job right,“ says our CEO Jouko.
