26
Treading
carefully
into the future
Klässbol Linen Weaving Mill is a place you
will not want to miss, with a factory and
shop attracting about 80,000 visitors every
year.
The key to its success has been both
stubbornness and an innovative approach.
An unbroken chain of four generations
of weavers in the Johansson family have
upheld traditions while making use of new
techniques.
The 90-year-old history of the mill is
still alive here in the factory.
– Our visitors can walk around on their
own and have a look at our entire produc-
Klässbol is a locality 20
kilometres south of Arvika
in Värmland. Today, it is
closely associated with the
linen weaving mill which
represents Swedish design
and quality at its very best.
Klässbol Linen Weaving
Mill: Family business,
now run by the fourth
generation. Founded in
the kitchen of Hjalmar
Johansson in 1920.
Older weave patterns
are still in use. Has
supplied tablecloths and
napkins to the annual
Nobel banquet, as well
as to Swedish and
Norwegian embassies
worldwide, among other
commissions. In 2010,
the company celebrated
its 90th anniversary. All
visitors can walk around
on their own in the
factory, with or without a
guide. Shop.
Klässbol Linen
Weaving Mill,
Arvika
tion, says CEO Andreas Johansson, who
took over the business in 2003 from his
father Dick Johansson. It’s usually popular
for people to see how the products they’re
thinking of buying are made.
– Those who contact us beforehand
can get a guided tour where one of us
talks about the history of the company,
how we work today, which projects have
had an impact on the development of the
business and how we work with design, he
continues. The older handlooms that we
have here work and are still in use. They
are living exhibits.
Andreas Johansson is proud
of the
family and company heritage.
– My great grandfather was born here in
Klässbol in 1884. At the start of the 20th
century he left his home here and later
trained as a weaver in Borå.
After gaining some work experience he
returned to Värmland in 1918 together
with his wife Augusta and their eight child-
ren. Hjalmar Johansson took on the task of
trying to save Stafnäs Spinning Mill. It did
not go so well, but he had begun to weave
linen sheets and towels commissioned by
friends and acquaintances, sitting at his
handloom at home in the kitchen. The linen
came from farmers in the local area.
In 1921 he bought his first mechanical
loom – a very important milestone in
the family history. It was installed in the
kitchen, however the ceiling was not high
enough. In order for the Jacquard to fit,
he had to make a hole straight into the
bedroom on the second floor.
The next step was taken in 1924 when
he could afford to buy a soldier’s cottage
and was able to move the weaving mill
there. He invested in two more looms.
– But Hjalmar passed away unexpec-
tedly when he was only 44 years old, says
Andreas Johansson. Just when the business
began to grow.
The oldest children, Stina aged 19 and
Vitalis aged 17, took over responsibility
for the mill. Hjalmar had also been wise
enough to take out life insurance, without
his wife knowing. The money came in
handy. The 4,443 kronor and 76 öre
were used to pay off Hjalmar’s debts. The
weaving mill could keep on going.
– My father Dick Johansson and his
brothers Sven-Olof and Torbjörn took over
at the next generational shift in 1975, he
continues.
Linen sheets have always
been known for
their healing qualities. Linen is a natural
material which gives an airy product that
easily absorbs moisture and dries quickly.
Klässbol Linen Weaving Mill
64 | naturally
