O. Mustad & Son

O. Mustad & Son is one of the oldest Norwegian industrial companies, which was founded in 1832 in Gjøvik. Mustad produced in earlier films nails, margarine and hardware, but is today known as the world 's largest producer of fish-hooks, which are exported to more than 160 countries.

History

Originally the company was founded as Brusveen Spiger -og Staaltraadfabrik, by Hans Skikkelstad in Vardal at Gjøvik. His son, Ole Mustad, took over the factory in 1843 and changed the name to O. Mustad. Mustads son, Hans Mustad, in 1874 co-owner, so the name was again changed to O. Mustad & Son. 1877 started the operation with the production of fishing hooks.

In the period 1875-1890, the operation opened a number of factories in Lilleaker in Oslo. Among other things, Nails ( 1876), margarine (1889 ), ovens (1889 ), Axes, bolts and other hardware items there were produced. The industrial area in Lilleaker has been completely taken over after nitroglycerin Compagniet was severely damaged by a large explosion on 24 April 1874. Reason for the takeover was the proximity to the market and a suitable port.

In the period 1890-1930 was marked by a great expansion with purchase and start-ups of more than 300 companies in most countries of Europe. The main production were nails for horseshoes, but also fish-hooks and screws were made. The main reason for the expansion were introduced in most countries now protective tariffs and the lower transport costs, which could be achieved with a local production.

After the Second World War Mustads factories were nationalized in Eastern Europe, and the company lost about half of their production plants and about 8,000 workers. However, the decentralized corporate structure, the rest of the company was free to continue working and experienced, like most other industries, a big boom in the 50s and 60s.

The oil crisis of the 70s stopped this growth, and how many other companies also underwent a restructuring Mustad. In 1970 the company was converted into a public limited company and is divided into the two companies Mustad Industrier AS and Mustad International Group BV in 1977, the former was later renamed Mustad AS.

End of the 70s the company started with the production of fishing accessories such as Fishing lines or bait. In the 80 years the production of screws and hardware was partially set and sold.

Vehicle

The company began in 1916 with the production of automobiles. In 1937 the production was stopped.

Sechsrad

The first model was offered 1916-1917. It was a great vehicle with six wheels, two in front and four behind. Initially, a four-cylinder engine was used, which was replaced in 1917 by a six-cylinder engine with 7000 cc and 85 hp. There was the body shapes sedan and torpedo.

Single-seater

1935, the next model was presented. These were a small coupe in the style of the Fiat 500 Topolino, which offered a person place.

Two vehicles of the same brand can be visited museum in Lillehammer at the Norsk Kjøretøyhistorisk.