Discover the Legacy

In the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, back in 1930, Leo Nippa (Niippa) began building wood-burning sauna stoves that would ignite a lasting legacy. Inspired by the rich sauna culture of Finland, Leo brought his craftsmanship and innovation to Bruce Crossing, Michigan—creating what would become one of America’s oldest and most respected sauna stove brands: NIPPA® Sauna Stoves.

From Finnish Roots to Michigan Tradition

Leo Nippa’s mission was simple—build a sauna stove that could withstand the test of time. NIPPA stoves were hand-crafted with a rolled firebox, a feature that minimized warping and cracking from years of heat cycles. Combined with a baffle system designed to trap and retain heat instead of losing it up the chimney, NIPPA’s engineering quickly set a new standard for durability and performance.

Word spread fast through the Finnish-American communities of the Upper Peninsula. Soon, NIPPA stoves were being shipped across the United States, becoming a staple in lakeside cabins, hunting lodges, and backyard saunas.

A Michigan-Made Legacy

By the early 2000s, NIPPA had become synonymous with quality sauna craftsmanship. In 2005, the company moved from its U.P. roots downstate to Benzie County, bringing the “Cadillac of sauna stoves” reputation to a new home along U.S.-31 in Beulah. The move positioned NIPPA to better serve a growing base of sauna enthusiasts while maintaining its commitment to hand-built Michigan manufacturing.

In 2024, ownership passed to Philip Casteleyn & Jerry Wilson, with Philip as the managing partner, they have continued the brand’s legacy of reliability and heat efficiency. Through each change of hands, one thing has remained the same—NIPPA’s promise of strength, simplicity, and authentic sauna performance.