29.04.2008: FW originator receives award

Heikki Koivurova (left) receives his award

Heikki Koivurova, the man who set the whole Flaxwood idea in motion, was recently awarded a prestigious prize in Helsinki by an important national industrial association. The prize was awarded to Heikki mainly for his ground-breaking work with the mold-injection production of alternative materials, applying techniques normally used with plastics to create new and exciting natural fiber composities.

Originally he was intrigued by the idea of producing a violin using mold-injected wood, but after having met our master-luthier Veijo Rautia, he was convinced of the potential it had for electric guitars. Hundreds of guitars and millions of watts of shredding-power later, Flaxwood is a testimony to the fact that he was on to a very good thing. We are gaining in markets on three continenets, and Flaxwood is producing a growing army of players who are now less sceptical about the power of innovation in the guitar world, and who swear by their newfound Flax-guitars.

The patented material and producton method is now proving itself invaluable as a tonewood for a growing array of instruments, that all seem to hold their own against the most expensive exotic-wood instruments; our proto snare at Frankfurt's Messe received raves.

And all this started abt. 6 years ago with Heikki having a cup of coffee down in the Joensuu Science Park cafeteria, exchanging ideas with some colleagues, and succeeding in getting permission to make some initial tests....

We all congratulate Heikki from the bottom our hearts, and wish him continued success in his endeavours. His contribution is helping the music industry to find new, more environmentally friendly, but above all, GREAT SOUNDING alternatives. Thank you Heikki, and the best of luck!

Kim Lerche
Marketing Manager

Flaxwood Guitars