At Te-Ri Products Limited, our business was born
out of our love for Finland. It began in 1972 with only one reindeer
hide. It was not that we wanted to sell it, but rather the demand
for it was so high we had no choice.
We have come a considerable way since then, and
are now considered one of the premier suppliers of top quality reindeer
hides. We take great pride in introducing commercially tanned reindeer
hides to Canada - and later, to the USA.
Each year, we visit the four corners of Finnish
Lapland to pick reindeer hides. We personally know the farmers who
raise the herds and the tanneries that finish the hides. Speaking
the language and knowing the culture has taught us how the lives
of Laplanders and their reindeer are interwoven.
Ritva & Ted recently had an official photo taken with Santa
Claus!
More than three decades ago, our first trips took
us to the outdoor corrals where the skins were traditionally treated.
Our hands nearly froze selecting those first reindeer hides in -40C/-40F
weather!
Some of the old ways changed since Finland joined
The European Union. What has not changed, though, is critically
important in providing our loyal customers with the best quality
reindeer hides on the market. That is, Te-Ri Products still hand-picks
its hides and antlers. Only the best reindeer hides make the trip
over the Ocean.
Our admired Fufel® Dolls are trimmed with the
same Finnish reindeer fur. The Fufel® Doll idea was born from
a souvenir we brought home from one of those early expeditions to
the land of the Midnight Sun. The late Eila, our talented and acclaimed
Toronto artist and designer from Finland had a great eye for design
and color. The Mountie Doll, one of our first creations, graces
the homes of many happy Japanese visitors to Canada. Today there
are more than 200 Fufel® Doll designs.
Over the years we have introduced several unique
items from Finland.
Finnish knives are well known and appreciated.
Sami drums, birch bark horns and bags are part of the mystique of
the country of the Midnight Sun.
The four corners of Finnish Lapland. The four corners
of the world. Te-Ri Products now travels to South America
to select exotic cowhides and to New Zealand for beautiful sheepskin
products.
Ted
Selecting Cow Skins.
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