History
The history of Arvika Redskapfabrik, or as it would later be known Arvika Yxfabrik, is a short one. The company would only last 50 years before being closed. Eventually to have the brand bought by Hults Bruk.
In 1909 a new factory was planned just west of Palmviken’s sawmill. In July 1909 the Swedish grip and shoemaking company had its first general meeting. The owners expected to get started with production that same Autumn. The number of workers needed would be at least 100 men.
The plan to build a business like this was daring because business in that industry was already difficult at the time. The new factory location was chosen primarily for its proximity to rail transportation.
By October parts of the outer walls had been built on the site South of Haga. However, production could not start until January 1910.
In the Summer of 1913, another small tool factory from Viksgatan was bought by the company. The factory was AB Yxfabriken Thor, founded only a few years prior to 1901. That July the factory was moved to Haga as well.
During 1914 to 1918 Arvika had a very successful business. Then in 1918, a fire started that eventually burned down everything but the western part the factory, including the neighboring sawmill. The smoke was so thick that no one even realized the fire had spread to two rail cars which would ignite a Nilsson & Mr. Anderson’s houses just North of town as well.
The rail car fire continued to spread to multiple rail cars. Burning out & cracking much of the tracks as well. Adding to the destruction the local phone lines where cut when the line poles began to crack from the heat of the nearby fire.
The smoke was so thick it even ruined nearby potato & vegetable fields. Eventually, the fire dept and residents succeeded in getting control of the massive fire.
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In January 1919 they partnered with Vedevag Koppom AB. The plant was rebuilt and production was restarted. They continued under the name Arvika spade, grip and Yxfabrik.
Then in January 1923 the name was changed to AB Arvika Tool Factory. Later in 1935 Arvika carried out a large expansion to produce tools for the shipbuilding industry.
In 1940 the war started and staff quarters were built. However, after WWII tensions continued to rise. By October 1954 only 40 workers remained. In the Fall of 1957 the factory was sold to Falu Industri AB. With the tools being sold to Wedevags Bruk. The day after the site was sold all the workers were laid off and the buildings all turned into a warehouse for the Tobacco Factory until 1959.
Then in the 1960s the Arvika brand name was bought by Hults Bruk. Eventually to become the Arvika 5 Star line.
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