Welcome to Our New Company Members Mid-Year 2025
- ethanmorgan8624
- Jul 31
- 4 min read
We’re pleased to welcome new members to the New Zealand Scandinavian Business Association.
It’s great to see our community growing with people and businesses who are interested in building strong connections between New Zealand and Scandinavia.
Here’s a quick introduction to our newest members
Ekopaints
Since 2016, Ekopaints Ltd has been selling Ottosson linseed oil paints made in Sweden into New Zealand and Australia. Their house paints are eco-friendly, sustainable, renewable and durable. Ottosson linseed oil paint is for both interior and exterior use, and it's natural colours provide a beautiful long lasting finish. Linseed oil paint spreading further, and is proven in international trials to outlast and out-protect acrylic paints.
Linseed oil paint contains no toxins, so it is great to work with and creates a healthy environment to living in. Ottosson paints use natural pigments rather than the synthetically produced pigments in acrylic paints. Also, unlike acrylic paints, linseed oil paint contains no plastic polymers, and no nasty solvents. Ottosson linseed oil paint stops wood from rotting and metal from rusting.
Linseed oil paint only contains linseed oil, natural pigments and some zinc oxide to protect the paint against mould. The linseed oil works in two ways in the paint, first it is the solvent and second linseed oil’s chemical characteristics mean that it soaks into wood, which then protects the wood against moisture damage. Linseed oil also allows the wood to breath, so that any moisture in the wood can escape from the wood, so the wood remains dry.
Because there is no plastic in linseed oil paint, unlike acrylic paint, linseed oil paint does not crack or peel, so it ends up protecting the surfaces it is painted on for decades, not years as is the case with acrylic paints.
Linseed oil paint has been used for hundreds of years in Scandinavia to paint houses, and Ottosson Färgmakeri AB is the largest manufacturer of linseed oil paint in the world. Ottosson Färgmakeri has been steady growing over the last decade, with 30% sales growth in 2022 during Covid and has had 10% sales grow in 2024.
Ekopaints also sells Speedheater Systems infrared lamps, also made in Sweden, which quickly and easily removes old flaking and cracked plastic paint to prepare and dry out wood to be repainted with linseed oil paint. Using Speedheater Systems infrared lamps is a much safer way of removing paint as compared to paint stripping chemicals that are harmful.
Over the last few years, Ekopaints has had some sales and has had excellent testimonials from customers in New Zealand. This year, interest in linseed oil paint has increased, and Ekopaints had its biggest sale last month to repaint a chalet in Victoria, Australia, where the architects chose linseed oil paint over Dulux paints. Recently, there have been almost weekly enquiries from customers in Australia.
Helpful links:
InterHealth Solutions: Your Partner in Life Sciences
At InterHealth Solutions, we specialise in providing comprehensive support to private and public sector organisations in the life sciences sector, with a strong focus on pharmaceutical products and nutritional supplements. Our expertise spans across Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, enabling organisations and individuals to successfully navigate regulatory landscapes, market entry strategies, and commercial growth and sustainability.
Our Expertise
Regulatory & Compliance Support:
Seamless market entry with full compliance with local regulations.
Market Access & Strategy: Tailored strategies for effective product positioning and distribution.
Business Development & Partnerships: Connecting key stakeholders to foster collaboration and business growth.
Sales & Marketing Solutions: Impactful sales and marketing approaches to elevate brand visibility.
Supply Chain & Distribution: Optimising logistics for efficient and reliable product availability.
Partner With Us
Are you looking for expert guidance in the pharmaceuticals or nutritional supplement space? Let’s collaborate.
Robert Dornheim
Founder & CEO, InterHealth Solutions AS
Muuto
Muuto Opens in Newmarket: Scandinavian Design Arrives in NZ.
On June 5th, 2025, Muuto opened its first New Zealand store in the heart of Newmarket, Auckland. Known globally for its contemporary Scandinavian design, Muuto brings together furniture, lighting, and accessories that are functional, sustainable, and crafted with purpose. The new showroom invites visitors to explore how thoughtful design can shape mood, experience, and well-being, drawing inspiration from neuroaesthetics to create calm, sensory-rich environments.
Rooted in Scandinavian Tradition, Designed for Modern Life
Muuto’s design philosophy centres on human experience. Every product is created with an emphasis on natural materials, honest expression, and emotional connection, from modular shelving and lounge seating to curated accessories. Visitors will find a balance of timeless form and modern function, with each piece designed to support the way we live and work today. The space itself reflects Muuto’s values: soft tones, tactile finishes, and a layout that invites pause and connection.
A Longstanding Partnership with Unison Spaces
For over a decade, Unison Spaces has brought Muuto’s collections into New Zealand’s workplaces, hospitality venues, and homes. This new retail location marks a natural next step in their partnership, offering the public a chance to engage directly with Muuto’s evolving range. A full website is coming soon at unisonspaces.nz, and more on Muuto’s story, design philosophy, and sustainability practices can be found below:
Muuto New Zealand
8 Kent Street, Newmarket, Auckland 1023
Mon–Fri: 9 am–5 pm | Sat–Sun: 10 am–4 pm
Website coming soon: unisonspaces.nz
Opened: 5th June 2025
We’re looking forward to growing our NZSBA community even more.
Welcome aboard!
NZSBA
Comments