Early Life
Antti Herlin was born on November 14, 1956, in Kirkkonummi, Finland, into the Herlin family, which has been involved with KONE Corporation since 1924. His father, Pekka Herlin, was the chairman of KONE. Antti Herlin graduated from Finnish Yhteiskoulu (SYK) in Helsinki in 1976 and studied agriculture at Iowa State University in the United States.
Rise to Success
Antti Herlin's career is deeply intertwined with KONE Corporation. He served as CEO from 1996 to 2006. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in expanding the company's global presence through acquisitions and strategic alliances. He is the current chairman of KONE Corporation.
Key Business Strategies
Herlin's leadership at KONE involved strategic acquisitions and alliances, which significantly expanded the company's operations. Herlin also holds shares in the Finnish media firm Sanoma, where he has served as chairman since 2013. The Herlin family has maintained control of KONE since 1924.
Philanthropy
Antti Herlin established the Tiina and Antti Herlin Foundation in 2014. The foundation focuses on supporting social welfare, culture, the environment, and science, including their teaching and research. In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the foundation granted approximately $8.5 million for environmental projects aimed at global emission reductions in the steel industry.