Production in West Sweden

Many of the Scandinavian Outdoor companies have their roots in the countryside with nature right around the corner serving as inspiration and a test environment. SOG invited an international group and went on a road trip to visit companies in the small towns to the east of Gothenburg.

Eric Gustavsson, Thule

“We want to be involved in developing standards and legal requirements throughout the world. A substandard rooftop cargo carrier, regardless of which company manufactured it, risks reducing trust in the entire industry.

Anders Göthager, Ivanhoe

“The outdoors and fashion are converging more and more, and this suits us very well. But that does not mean transitioning to fast seasonal collections. Natural materials, function and quality are still our focus.”

5 LOCAL HEROES WITH A HERITAGE

1 Thule The open-air enthusiast Erik Thulin started Thule in 1942 with the Gäddsax fishing tackle. Now they manufacture everything from rooftop cargo carriers to backpacks.

2 Seger Gunnar Segerqvist was only 16 years old when he invested in a knitting machine in 1947 and started making socks and stockings in his parents’ woodshed.

3 Ivanhoe When the company was founded in 1946 by Martin Göthager together with three colleagues, it was called Gällstads Ylle. Back then, the focus was on knitted women’s fashion.

4 Wildo Founded in Borås in 1979 by Ingvar Svantesson and Jan Andersson – whose son Erik runs the company today. Wildo produces lightweight, durable and compact tableware and accessories.

5 Icebug Founded in Gothenburg relatively recently in 2001 by Eliza Törnkvist and her son David Ekelund. Icebug manufactures shoes with good grip for use year-round.

Seger have supported many athletes.

For the outdoor companies of western Sweden the woods are never far away.

Patrik Svedberg