Our story
Where did Bobi originate?
From a bank return box to a mailbox
Envelopes known as payment envelopes required a return box so that customers could handle their banking without having to wait in line. One of the people involved in the design of the box was Martti Lehtimäki, who worked as a designer at an advertising agency. Lehtimäki designed a stylish steel return box for the bank hall. Leinolat Oy – a top expert in sheet metal manufacturing from his hometown – agreed to manufacture the box. This was to ensure excellent quality and efficient manufacturing expertise.
This is how the first Bobi was born. Already in its very first brochure, Bobi was presented in the colors of different banks. Responsibility for Bobi’s sales and distribution was taken on by Martti’s brother, Lasse Lehtimäki, who succeeded in placing Bobi boxes in banks across nearly all of Finland.
Bobi gets Posti's stamp
At the same time, in the early 1990s, mailboxes began to be installed in groups in Finland. Boxes lined up, side by side significantly accelerated mail delivery instead of individually installed mailboxes and door delivery. People who worked in banks started asking if they could get a mailbox version of the return boxes. When the request was repeated several times, Lasse, who oversaw sales, suggested to his brother Martti that he would also design and manufacture mailboxes.
The mailbox had to be stylish and functional and withstand Finnish weather conditions from rain to frost. It was also essential to comply with the strict regulations required by Finland’s postal office on the size of the mail slot and mailbox. Bobi's functionality was finally tested in practice at Posti's headquarters when a brick-sized phone book was pushed through Bobi's mail slot. The phone book slipped into the box and the development work was sealed when Finland’s Posti approved Bobi. In use, it was also noted that the curved shape was not only beautiful and classic, but also suitable for Scandinavian conditions. The curved top of the mailbox did not collect water or snow but effectively drained them. The mail remained dry.
Bobi's journey continues
A timeless, classic, high-quality product often arouses widespread interest. That’s why Bobi has spread from Finland to around the world – to Europe, Japan, and the US. Our operations are still guided by the idea that a product must suit its user. This is why we remain at the forefront of development, manufacturing mailboxes and parcel boxes that meet today’s delivery needs in close collaboration with partners and delivery companies in various countries.
The company has also come full circle in terms of ownership. Stepping back from day-to-day operations, the founders – the Lehtimäki brothers – wanted to ensure that Bobi’s journey would continue into the future. Bobi.com became part of the Leinolat Group, whose subsidiary Leimec has manufactured the steel Bobi mailboxes from the very beginning.
Finland / Suomi 
Great Britain 
Sweden / Sverige 
Denmark / Danmark 
France (Belgium) 
Germany / Deutschland 
Netherlands / Nederland 
Norway / Norge