The Swedish Rope program is marketed in Sweden by:
AB KNUT WESTERBERGS REPSLAGERI
…which can be described in brief with the following historical data:
AB Knut Westerbergs Repslageri
1889
Knut Westerberg (1865-1950) founds the company under the name ”Knut Westerberg Repslagare”.
1918
Knut takes over P. Janssons Repslageri at Lindåker in Norrköping.
The 1940s
Up to now, production has only taken place with natural fibres. The most common materials were hemp and cotton. Close collaboration with the textile industry in Norrköping guaranteed ample supplies of cotton raw materials. After the end of the Second World War, polyamide became available. This was the first synthetic fibre used by the company.
1950s
In the early 50s, polyester fibre was then introduced. This rapidly gained popularity among rope producers on account of its good abrasion resistance and UV resistance. In conjunction with the textile industry in Norrköping, a rope from mixed polyester fibres (spun yarns mixed with multifilament yarns) was developed at Westerbergs Repslageri (by 2nd and 3rd generation ropemakers in the family, Tomas and his son Hans) and rapidly became the company”s main product.
1959-1960
The company moves its production facilities to brand new premises (new ropewalk and a new factory for industrial production) in Smedby, outside Norrköping. The company becomes ”AB Knut Westerbergs Repslageri”.
1988
The fourth generation of Westerbergs (Hans”s son Olle) takes over and proceeds developing the company.
1996
A new warehouse is built along with a new office and a shop. The first Roblon machine for yarn twisting is purchased.
2000
New production facilities are built inside the new warehouse with four new Roblon machines to increase production of polyester ropes (2-8mm).
2002
Another two new Roblon machines are purchased to increase production capacity.
2004
A new phase in the company”s history begins with the construction of an additional 560 square metres of warehouse for the new Swedish Rope program.
2008
Construction of a further 460 square metres of warehouse for the Swedish Rope program.
2009
Introduction of new Garda 24 mooring lines, Arkö 24 anchor ropes and braided mooring hawsers from Timm.
2010-2011
A number of new products are added to the Swedish Rope program – Tarline XP = Our new range of ropes for wooden ships – Danline MX = Morring ropes for smaller and medium sized ships – A new range of 24-braided ropes with REFLEX marker
2017
The fifth generation of Westerbergs (Olle’s son Markus) takes over as CEO for the company.
2018
A separate website with webshop is launched at www.repolina.se.
Autumn 2018
A 470 square meter solar power plant is installed on the roof of the warehouse. The plant produces enough electricity to supply the entire company with pure solar electricity, and more. From this day AB Knut Westerbergs Repslageri is not only a producer of rope but also a producer of electricity.
