The story of Private Case began in 1985, when architect and industrial designer Ari Korolainen couldn’t find a suitable briefcase to carry his drawings in, and decided to make one himself. This was the beginning for a collection which soon increased with other product categories. Recycled cardboard was chosen as the main material because of its sustainability and pleasant feel. Later, recycled leather was introduced as a new material. The new material enabled designing and making of entirely new kinds of products.

After over 30 working years, Private Case changed owner on August 1st, 2018. Jouni and Päivi Mikkonen started as new owners of the company. By coincidence, on the same day it was reported that the Earth had used up its renewable resources for the year and would be living in debt for the rest of the year.

The new entrepreneurs have a long, partly shared history behind them. In 1998, Mikkonen’s family moved abroad and examined the opportunity for Private Case to expand into a new continent. However, the time was not yet ripe for it, but the idea of Private Case products remained in the mind of the entrepreneur couple. “One day we want to be involved in Private Case’s story, if possible”, recalls Jouni Mikkonen.