Grain

Grain processing is a traditional yet modern sector of the foodstuff manufacturing industry focusing on research and development in the Lahti region. There is a strong concentration of grain processing companies in the Lahti region that forms the region’s ‘Grain Cluster’. The strengths of the Grain Cluster include extensive primary production based on the clean nature as well as tight cooperation and companionship in the entire processing chain – from the field to the table of the consumers. Both small and large companies are equal when it comes to development of the sector. This is the largest concentration of grain experts in Finland: the operations model is unique even when studied globally. The Grain Cluster employs more than 3.500 persons in the region, and its annual turnover is ca. € 400 million.

For groups interested in visiting the Grain Cluster, we offer two tour packages:

Beer chain: Beer and Whiskey from barley

During the tour, you’ll get to know the most important companies manufacturing beer in the Lahti region as well as have a delicious brewery dinner in a beer restaurant full of feeling. The tour takes ca. 3.5 hours including 3 – 4 targets to visit. The customer can choose the targets to visit themselves from a selection of companies. (+ Possible lunch).

Tour Targets:
Viking Malt – a 120-year-old global company at the top of the malt production sector: A presentation of Polttimo Companies Group and a tour of the factory.
Sahtimessi – A terrace restaurant in the Vesijärvi Passenger Harbour: Presentation of making homemade beer and tasting the beer (possibility for having soup for lunch).
Hartwall – Top-modern soft drink production facility: Presentation of operations of the facility, a tour of the plant and tasting the products.
Brewery & Distillery Teerenpeli – An idyllic small brewery and distillery in the heart of the city: Getting to know manufacturing of beer and malt whiskey (possibility for dining).
Farm Restaurant Hollolan Hirvi – A traditional farm brewery and restaurant using local raw materials in Hollola: Getting to know the history of beer in the region, information about manufacturing traditional beer (possibility for lunch).

Bread chain: From the field to the table

During the tour, you’ll get to visit the best bread-making companies in the Lahti region. The tour takes ca. 3.5 hours including 3 targets to visit. The customer can choose the targets to visit themselves from a selection of companies. (+ Possible lunch).

Tour targets:
Vääksy Mill – Mill activity honouring traditions in Asikkala: Presentation of operations of the small mill, possibility to purchase the products (a tour of the Mill Museum also available).
Sinuhe Bakery – A company based in Lahti; one of the ten largest bakeries in Finland: Presentation of bakery operations, possibility to purchase the products (possibility to have lunch or coffee with pastries).
Fazer Group Mill and Bakery – A top producer of Finnish rye bread whose operations started already in the 1940s by the name of Oululainen: A corporate presentation, a tour of the bakery (a tour of the mill based on a separate agreement), possibility to purchase the products.

Visits on the farms available only during the cultivating season, 15 May – 15 September.