Munkfors history
history

1948

At the age of 23, Anders Hallberg starts his own saw works under the name Hallbergs Sågindustri. With a loan of 1 500 kronor he buys the basic equipment he needs and begins work in a small shed, just 15 m2, in his father’s garden.

Munkforssågar

1953

Anders buys a press to produce his own saw blades. He also changes the name of the company to AB Munkforssågar. The first logotype was created.

Munkfors History

1955

Production is moved to a 50 m2 basement in a new house built for Anders. He hires his first employee, Gunnar Larsson.

1965

Increased business motivates a move to bigger premises, a 340 m2 former joinery works in Forsliden. It is here that the company begins to manufacture wide bandsaw blades for industrial woodworking and sawmills.

Hallberg sågar

1966-1969

During the time in Forsliden, our first export order (to Norway) is received. New product, meat band saw blades is introduced, nowadays our main product. Forsliden plant is expanded three times and two more employees are recruited.

1970´s

Further expansion leads to construction of a new factory in Näset totaling 1000 m2.  Production is expected to double and the workforce of seven is set to increase. Anders becomes a pioneer in tooth point hardening with high frequency induction heating and invests in a 6 kW Philips unit for induction heating in the early 70:s.

1981

Jarl Hallberg, Anders’ son, becomes President and finds a partner­ – the company Weldaco of Halmstad – to help realize his ideas about grinding saw teeth. This results in a patented profile-grinding machine, which together with the skilled personnel of Munkforssågar, leads to the company being a world-leader in band saw blades for cutting meat. These products have since been exported to about 80 countries.

Swedish royal family

1984

The Swedish King, Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visits Munkforssågar.

Muknfors logotype

1986

Munkfors changes its logotype.

1989

Munkforssågar exhibits at IFFA in Frankfurt for the first time.

1994

Another factory expansion of 1000m² leads to a total area of 3500 m². Industrial robots are used for the first time in production of saw blades. Perforating rules becomes a new product line.

1997

Yet another factory expansion of 1000m² leads to a total area of 4500 m², to make more space for further automation of the production process.

ISO 9001

1999

Munkforssågar is certified for ISO9001.

ISO 14001

2002

Munkforssågar is certified for ISO14001.

Logo Munkfors

2006

Since the Näset factory was built in 1970 it has been expanded five times. Anders Hallberg, the founder of the company, passes away in June. He was still very active in the everyday operations of the company to the very end. With his sons, Jarl and Per-Olov, still in the company, his granddaughter, Pernilla Melén, is now the President of AB Munkforssågar.
Munkfors new trademark and logotype is created.

Munkfors building

2011

Further expansion and a facelift of the factory.

Munkfors progress

2014

LEAN production is introduced as method to work in producing our sharp products.

Swedish quality

2018

Munkfors celebrates its 70th anniversary!

Development

2020

Further expansion of the factory, now totalling 9300m2. Pernilla Meléns cousin Peter Hallberg becomes the Managing Director.