Klässbols Linneväveri - the story
Genuine craftsmanship and a burning passion for the production of the unique and personal with the goal of maintaining and developing manufacturing in Klässbol that realizes customers' dreams and needs, this has always been the driving force for four generations.
Here is the story that began in 1920.
Our story begins in 1884 when our grandfather Hjalmar Johansson was born in Klässbol in western Värmland. The family was large and there were eight siblings. At the age of nine, grandfather Hjalmar started working at the local wool factory as an errand boy. It was there that his interest in weaving was awakened and it grew over the years. After jobs as a weaver in Arvika and Sågmyra, he moved to Borås to study at the weaving school. He gained professional experience at Borås Jacquard Mill and later at Västergötlands Woolen Mill in Tidan.
The year had already come to 1918 when he received a request to return to Klässbol. Stafnäs Wool Spinneri needed help due to a generational change. Grandfather Hjalmar, grandmother Augusta and their eight children then moved back to their hometown and grandfather started as a Weaver at the wool spinning mill. He soon realized that the wool spinning mill could not be saved, but in the evenings he had started weaving linen sheets and towels on a hand loom in his kitchen. Line came from the farmers in the area and grandfather wove for friends and acquaintances.
Over time, his clientele grew and in 1921 he bought his first mechanical loom. It was enthroned in the living room and the ceiling of the bedroom had to make room with a hole for the long-awaited jacquard. The loom ran hot day and night and in 1924 grandfather was able to buy a soldier's cottage about 400 m from the house where he moved his business. He also invested in two more looms. Grandfather Hjalmar managed to start seven patterns before he passed away suddenly in 1928, at the age of only 44. Little did he know that his craft would become the foundation of an international company.
With the strong influence of Glafsfjorden, Billingen and Sörtjärnet and its water systems, artisan traditions were nurtured for generations. The water systems were strong enough to power a score of mills and sawmills.
When grandfather passed away, his family was faced with a difficult decision - should they continue running the weaving mill? There were plenty of debts but no money. The answer came when the family found a life insurance policy that grandfather had taken out without grandmother's knowledge. It was worth 4,000 kronor, which was a fortune at the time. It was as if grandfather had sensed what was going to happen. Now the family could continue the business he had built up. Our father, Vitalis, took over responsibility for the weaving. Aunt Viola took care of the accounts, grandmother was in charge of sales and the other siblings helped as they got older. Despite tough times and many setbacks, they continued to run the weaving mill and thus carried on the tradition.
In 1975, the weaving mill was handed over to us sons, Sven-Olof, Torbjörn and the undersigned, all weavers since the age of 14.
Present:
Today, brother Urban and his son John, nephew Stefan, and niece Cenita are part of the company. Andreas, my son who also belongs to the fourth generation, has taken on the responsibility as CEO since 2003. Today, the entire fourth generation owns the family business , Cenita Åsen Johansson, Andreas Johansson, John Johansson and Stefan Johansson.
Just like for grandfather, quality is our clearest guiding star. Our weaving patterns are a cultural treasure that we have inherited and which we manage with the greatest respect. The joy of sharing these timeless patterns and other good design is our driving force that we hope will take Klässbols further on the journey that grandfather once started.
– Dick Johansson
Third generation and grandson of founder Hjalmar Johansson .
Klässbol Linen Mill owner and fourth generation Johansson
If you want to know more about Klässbol's history, our book "Weaving our history" is available for purchase at Väveriet in both Klässbol and Stockholm, as well as in some online bookstores line such as Bokus .
