WHO WOULD’VE THOUGHT?

1953

ONCE UPON A TIME

The company Nobex Maskiner, which produces oil burners and eventually will blossom into Nord-Lock Group, is founded in Spånga in 1953 by Bengt Persson and Nils-Einar Olzon. The name is comprised of the founders initials together with an ‘x’ from the word ‘experiment’. Bengt’s wife, Mary Persson, that handles administrative and financial matters, is about to play a critical role in the company’s relocation northward.

1960

SHORT ON SPACE? WELL, THERE’S THAT TINY BARN AT MY PARENTS’ PLACE

The lack of space and trouble finding suitable premises spark ideas of moving parts of the production north. Bengt and Mary frequently visit Mary’s family farm in Halabacken, Jämtland. The farm’s neighbors, brothers Gösta and Evert Bylund, offer Bengt and Mary the opportunity to convert an unused barn into a small industrial plant. Construction starts, and some of Nobex’s production gets relocated.

1970

ALL IN ON HALABACKEN – AND SAWS

Following a bankruptcy and ceasing of operations in Spånga, Nobex Maskiner is reorganized under municipal ownership to save jobs and renamed Halabackens Industri AB. Although still manufacturing oil burners, Bengt Persson now begins designing what will become the company’s main products – miter saws, hose reels, saw guides, and angle squares.

1975

A SON WITH THE BLUEPRINTS, A POLITICIAN WITH THE STEERING WHEEL

Bengt Persson’s son, Kurt Persson, is appointed supervisor, and the company reclaims its original name, Nobex AB. The following years see an increase in turnover, primarily due to successful sales and growing international exports of mitre saws. Åke Andersson is recruited from municipal politics to Nobex’s management team and drives the successful development in marketing, selling, and exporting of mitre saws.

1980

IT TAKES A VILLAGE… AND SOME GLOBAL NETWORKING

With governmental and municipal support, and employees voluntarily working overtime, Halabacken sees the rise of a new factory. At the same time, Åke Andersson announces his resignation. The board now realizes the need for a full-time CEO. Hans Erik Eriksson, who has marketing and technical expertise along with extensive international contacts, becomes the new CEO.

Hans Erik Eriksson informs the board about plans to invest in a wedge-locking washer invented by Bengt Frieberg in the US. The rationale behind the investment is to provide Nobex with a second leg and ensure steady development to establish the company in the industrial sector.

1981

we got it!

Nobex purchases Bengt Frieberg’s wedge-locking washer business in the US and Canada. The story of how the Nord-Lock patents came about stretches far back in history. However, the patents acquired by Nobex were developed by Bengt Frieberg, who cultivated the original patents into the first original wedge-locking technology.

This year, the company also sees the rise of a new 2000-square-meter factory, which is inaugurated by the Minister of Industry, Nils G Åsling. Nobex now transforms into a comprehensive group, with Nord-Lock subsidiaries responsible for producing and selling the newly acquired wedge-locking washers under the parent company Nobex AB.

1982

BUT FIRST: SWEDISH QUALITY STANDARDS

The factory in Halabacken receives materials for the production of the wedge-locking washers from the US. Nobex representatives do not initially believe the original wedge-locking washers are of acceptable quality, and a process is set in motion to improve materials, tools, and the technical process to manufacture high-quality, marketable products. The Junker test is adopted to demonstrate the superior effectiveness of the wedge- locking washers. At the Technical Fair in Stockholm in 1982, the lock washers are presented for the very first time.

1985

THINGS OUGHT TO TURN UPWARDS FROM HERE, RIGHT?

Nobex has a turnover of around 10 million Swedish kronor. The mitre saws continue to perform well, while the production of wedge-locking washers is making a loss. The production of the washers still represents only a small fraction of Nobex’s total output. However, this year marks the turning point at which the sales of wedge-locking washers start to improve at a steady rate.

1994

NOBEX, YOU’RE GONNA GO FAR

After almost a decade of increasing sales of wedge-locking washers, the product now accounts for Nobex’s surplus and performs well over budget. Nobex’s journey does not go unnoticed, and in 1994, the company is acquired by the Latour group.

2001

I GUESS THE SAWS DIDN’T CUT IT ANYMORE ONCE UPON A TIME

Since the sales of wedge-locking washers continue to grow while the sales of mitre saws have been declining for some time, Nobex decides to shut down saw production. With this major change of direction, with wedgelocking washers becoming the main product, Nobex changes its name to Nord-Lock AB.

2005

FROM HALABACKEN TO THE WORLD

Growing demand for the wedge-locking washers leads to a doubling of the factory’s production area in Halabacken, along with new machinery for increased productivity. Nord-Lock AB’s international expansion gets seriously underway with new subsidiaries in the UK, France, and other countries.

2021

THE MORE, AND BIGGER, THE MERRIER

Nord-Lock has come a long way, not least by being the original company behind the Nord-Lock Group, which comprises three other technology brands. This year, Nord-Lock reaches a big milestone by upgrading production to 8700 square meters of high-technology factory facilities, which accounts for a remarkable 65% area increase.