Stories 2022.05.24
Every bench tells a story
Today, cities all over the world are undergoing a transformation. As people seek to spend more time outside, and governments push to decarbonize, we are starting to pay more and more attention to urban outdoor areas – and this is where Byarums Bruk has an important role to play.
When the Bokinge brothers started Byarums Bruk in 1947, they produced aluminum products for the home. It was here in the foundry south of Jönköping that the frames for the mirrors in IKEA’s first catalog were manufactured. Then the foundry changed hands in the 1970s, and the new owner altered the company’s focus from machine parts to outdoor furniture. This has been the focus ever since: everything from outdoor sofas, benches and tables to large planters are sandcast by the master artisans at Byarums Bruk.
Byarums’ products can be found in all sorts of public spaces across the Nordics, from streets and squares to parks, cemeteries and golf courses. You might even recognize them, as Byarums Bruk is an official supplier to the Royal Court. Regardless of the product, Byarums has a distinct look and feel that CEO Joakim Ståhl says comes from strict design management. Part of that consistency comes from only working with a few, highly skilled and well-known designers.
“We were immediately drawn to Byarums because of the timeless design of their products, and their unique history,” says NOD’s CEO Therese Hillman. “The outdoor component also makes the brand a unique addition to the Group, and it’s a segment we believe will continue to grow in the post-pandemic world.”
Equal parts past and future
Byarums Bruk creates molds by pressing models down into a mix consisting mostly of sand, then they us these molds to cast the aluminum in. The company only works with a specific grade of recycled aluminum, which is environmentally efficient and is made to last a long time – even in the harsh Nordic climate. “This means that the park bench you’re sitting on might contain old soda cans – or even an engine block from a car,” says Joakim. It also means that having a low environmental impact is built into the fabric of the company.
Some of the challenges Byarums faces today include connecting with landscape architects, increasing exports, and at the same time ramping up our production. Even though Joakim says Byarums was not looking for a new partner or investors, he immediately knew he would be in good company at NOD. “All the companies in the Group will give us inspiration and opportunities to help us grow in these areas,” he says. “We can help them in turn with our knowledge of production and brand building.”