Mountains, Fjords & Factories - Sykkylven Scandinavian Furniture

Scandinavian furniture holds roots strongly to a specific region in Norway called Sykkylven which is a part of the Sunnmøre area. Not only does this region contain the picturesque Sunnmørsalpene mountains and Hjørundfjord fjords but is also quite well known for its furniture industry. In this article we’ll take a look at this region and the importance it has not only on the people in this area but on the products they make and distribute throughout the world as well.

Sykkylven is a municipality of about 7,500 residents that covers a 337 square km area towards the southwestern part of Norway. What is pretty interesting about this region is that a large percentage of the population is involved in the production of furniture. In the 1930’s is when this area truly began to focus on furniture manufacturing. Besides making furniture many of these manufacturers were also involved in manufacturing furniture components as well.  Whole generations of craftsmen have honed their skills in furniture design and construction in Sykkylven over the many decades. This is most likely why the area manufacturers have been so successful in making and creating quality furniture. Several of the largest furniture manufacturers in Sykkylven are Ekornes®, Hjellegjerde® and Brunstad®.

Ekornes® was founded in Sunnmøre by Jens Ekornes in 1934. He started out the company producing steel spring components for various furniture and mattress manufacturers. He would soon create his own line of mattresses which would come to be called Svane® mattresses in 1938. With their success in mattresses, he would move the company forward when they would begin producing wooden furniture components and then foamed plastics. This experience in building furniture components would lead to the creation of his own Ekornes® furniture brand in 1966. Followed up by the successful launch of his Stressless® recliner, introduced in 1971. Today, Ekornes® products are sold in over 30 countries.

Hjellegjerde® was founded by two brothers, Otto and Mindor Hjellegjerde in 1941. They began their company in the cellar premises of the Hjellegjerde family. The cellar would see several extensions to make room for production which would eventually lead the company to build a factory which is located directly across the fjord from the Ekornes factory. Hjellegjerde® upgraded its facilities in 1983 and created a modern production facility which allowed them to enter into the international market. Hjellegjerde® products including Fjords® are sold across three continents.

Brunstad® was founded by Hjalmar Brunstad when he was 22 years old. A furniture maker he began the business in his small basement workshop in 1941. The company would grow from his desire to build furniture from the best materials available and using only solid wood which are manufacturing standards still applied by the company today. Brunstad® continues its strong furniture traditions and is managed by Hjlamar Brunstad’s son Helge Brunstad.

In this article we’ve taken a look at the Sykkylven region of Norway and the part it has played in helping to be one of the leading furniture manufacturing hot spots in the world. Among the top brands found here which include Ekornes®, Hjellegjerde® and Brunstad® the area itself concentrates heavily on furniture design and manufacturing as much of the area population is committed to making furniture. It’s no wonder why these companies have enjoyed so much success with such a high percentage of the population having worked in furniture for generations. So when you hear Sykkylven you should surely think of quality Scandinavian furniture.