In 1910, the duo of A. Kohlemianen and his son, A. P. Kolehmainen, joined forces with industrial entrepreneur H. G. Paloheimo to establish Riihimäki glassworks. Initially crafting simple household glassware, the enterprise quickly evolved, venturing into refined household glassware and crystal glass by 1911.

Breaking new ground, Riihimäki became the pioneer among Finnish glassworks by collaborating with artists, a pioneering move in the 1920s. Esteemed artists like Eva Gylden and Thyra Lundgren paved the way, setting the stage for a stellar lineup of designers including Aino and Alvar Aalto, Aimo Okkolin, and many others who would leave an indelible mark on the industry.

By the 1960s, Riihimäen glassworks, with its over one thousand employees, was the largest and most varied glass producer in the Nordics. In 1961, Riihimäki and Karhula-littala glassworks signed a business agreement stipulating that Riihimäki would continue to manufacture clear container glassware and Karhula focus on colored bottles and can production, along with glass for lighting.

However, the winds of change blew in 1976, as the Riihimäki factory ceased its production of art and regular glass, redirecting its efforts towards container glassware and plastic packaging. Though crystal grinding persisted until 1990, the landscape shifted when A. Ahlstrom Corporation acquired the factory in 1985. Ultimately, in 1990, Ahlström made the decision to consolidate its container glass manufacturing operations, leading to the closure of the Riihimäki works.