In this series of articles, we have already covered the company’s history until WWI, which also had a huge impact on Manner’s operations
Manner operated in a variety of activities in the first decades of the 20th century: in addition to sheet metal work, the company also repaired bicycles, motorcycles and even automobiles. The company was involved in a major project as the construction of the sewerage and water supply network in Hanko began in 1906.
Juho Manner had also become a significant force in the city of Hanko through his activities in the community; in addition to the city council, he was a member of many committees and boards which sought to promote the well-being of the city’s population, such as the water management committee and an organisation that helped the poor.
When World War I broke out, Manner began repairing Russian warships that used the port of Hanko. During the war, spa guests disappeared and with them a lot of work, but fortunately, there was something else to replace it. One such commission was the installation of the coastal artillery system at the Russarö Fortress.