The news of the founding of a porcelain factory on "villa Arabia" comes in February 1873, and the fall of the same year, production is partially running. Arabia porcelain factory founded as a subsidiary of Rörstrand of GH Ray and Robert Almström and purpose of the factory is to get closer to the Russian market. The first products left the factory were copies of Rörstrand models or completed intermediate goods delivered from the factory in Sweden, it involved both on stoves, faience and porcelains. In 1874 production was in full swing and sales exceeded expectations good, very dependent on the then so popular majolikan. Arabia's production of majolica was mainly tiled side and foreign demand was so great in these ovens, they had to hire a special agent in Leipzig to meet the orders. 1881 appointed secretary of the Prison Board, M. Hornborg, to Rörstrands representative at the factory and in 1884 becomes Arabia an independent company, with Rörstrandsgatan as the largest shareholder.

 

Arabia had about 200 employees in 1880, all under the leadership of Engineer Herlitz and financial managers Schelin, both from Sweden and appointed by Rörstrand, moreover, they had three foremen. Sales amounted then to about 600,000 Finnish marks annually and most of it was exported to Russia.

Arabia has so many other companies have had their fair share of problems. 1891 detected including serious thefts of porcelain from the factory and not less than 50 people indicted in the scandal.

 

During the 1890s, the factory was controlled by Colonel Antell, engineering Herlitz, manufacturer Almström, Superintendent Sanmark and chief engineer Tallqvist. In 1916 became Arabia completely retrenched from Rörstrand, then could the one controlling the manufacturing process as they wanted. Arabia grew and was in 1940 the largest porcelain factory in Europe. Today the factory is a part of Boda Nova, Hackman and Rörstrand and owned by the Finnish Iittala. The group is relatively comprehensive in terms of household products in both porcelain and metal.

Below left is the first ad from Arabia Porcelain Factory. It was published extensively in the Finnish newspapers throughout 1875.