A unique shift in the Swedish design world
In an unusual and significant deal in the world of Swedish design, Norrstigen, as the new majority owner alongside H&SP, has acquired Bruno Mathsson International AB, thereby taking over one of Sweden’s most influential design legacies.
Bruno Mathsson’s iconic designs and the production of his furniture have been firmly rooted in Småland since the 1930s, where every piece of furniture is still crafted according to the principles that defined Mathsson’s original vision. In an industry where the pace of change is rapid, this continuity has become a central part of the brand’s identity.
The deal also marks the end of an important chapter in the company’s ownership history. Henry Thelander began working for Bruno Mathsson in 1948 and eventually came to act as his right-hand man. Henry Thelander eventually became the owner of the companies and devoted his life to managing and developing Bruno Mathsson’s legacy. His sons, Bo Thelander and Dan Thelander, took over the reins in the 1990s. After more than 40 years of dedication, it is now time to hand over the reins to new owners.
“It has been a privilege to manage Bruno Mathsson’s legacy. Handing it over to new owners now feels both natural and reassuring, as we can see that they understand both the value and the responsibility that comes with this part of Sweden’s cultural heritage,” say Bo Thelander and Dan Thelander.
With H&SP and Norrstigen, a new phase is now beginning. The focus is on strengthening the brand’s international position, developing its digital presence and deepening its relationship with a new generation of design enthusiasts – without compromising on quality, heritage or craftsmanship.
“Bruno Mathsson occupies a unique place in the history of Swedish design. For us, it is about stewarding this significant legacy with respect and a long-term perspective. Together with the company’s management, we want to create the best possible conditions to ensure that these iconic pieces of furniture remain relevant for many generations to come,” says Hampus Hellermark, co-founder of Norrstigen.
“Our craftsmanship remains in Småland, and it is from there that we are now building on our legacy – with great humility towards our heritage and a strong vision for the future,” says the new CEO, Thomas Hagström. He and the incoming marketing director, Marcus San Pedro, will become owners alongside Norrstigen.
At a time when design heritage is often reinterpreted rather than preserved, the acquisition of Bruno Mathsson’s legacy stands as a rare example of continuity – where the next chapter does not rewrite history, but builds upon it.
About H&SP
H&SP is an entrepreneur-led holding company founded by Thomas Hagström and Marcus San Pedro. Read more at www.hosp.se
About Norrstigen
Norrstigen is an investment firm that helps timeless Nordic companies write their next chapter by managing and revitalising them through technology, long-term capital and active engagement. Find out more at www.norrstigen.com
Royal visit
Den 20 mars 2013 besökte kung Carl XVI Gustaf och drottning Silvia Bruno Mathsson Center i Värnamo. Efter det att Konungen och Drottningen anlänt och hälsats välkomna förevisades Bruno Mathssons alster och historik. Kungaparet, som själva hade valt ut detta resmål, tycktes uppskatta förevisningen mycket.
This was followed by a sitting where the royal couple were offered hot water and a kind of candy called polka-pigs. This very odd menu was served together with the background story: When Bruno Mathsson arrived at the office in the morning, water would be heated in a coffee pot, after a while he lifted the lid of the coffee pot to smell if the water was hot enough. When the water was hot enough, it was served together with a polka-pig that melted in the mouth.
The Edith Farnsworth House, Plano, Illinois
The Edith Farnsworth House, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, was completed in 1951 and was originally furnished with, among other things, Bruno Mathsson furniture.
In 2020, Bruno Mathsson International AB contributed furniture to an exhibition intended to recreate the interior.
Artwork in the skatepark
In connection with the opening of the new skatepark in Värnamo on 20 May 2017,
a work of art in the form of Lounge chair model 36 was unveiled there. The work of art is on a scale of 2:1 and is cast in aluminium.
Bruno Mathsson Design Residency
29 september 2023 skapades ett nytt internationellt residens i Värnamo. Bruno Mathsson Design Residency drivs av Region Jönköping och Vandalorum. Det har som syfte att erbjuda en internationellt verksam designer tid för efterforskning, utveckling, nätverkande och fokus i en stimulerande arkitektonisk miljö, inom ramen för Vandalorum och regionens omfattande tillverkningsindustri. Under vistelseperioden erbjuds designern att under en månad bo i ett hus ritat 1955 av Bruno Mathsson. Det är beläget i Bruno Mathssons hemstad Värnamo. Residenset drivs av Region Jönköpings län och Vandalorum med stöd av IASPIS/Konstnärsnämndens internationella program inom bild- och formområdet och Värnamo kommun, i samarbete med entreprenör och möbelsamlare Johan Sjöberg, Bruno Mathsson International och Stiftelsen Karin och Bruno Mathssons fond.
Den första stipendiaten i det nybildade Bruno Mathsson Design Residency är den välrenommerade formgivaren Stephen Burks från New York.
Stephen Burks med sin tolkning av fåtöljen Eva
Easychair Eva in bronze
In October 1986, at Storgatsbacken in central Värnamo, two armchairs Mina and a memory board cast in bronze was unveiled.
The then governor Gösta Gunnarsson and the municipal council Stig Fransson gave the opening speech.
Train named after Bruno Mathsson
Since the 1990´s, trains named after famous småland profiles roll along on the småland (province in the south of Sweden) railways.
Among others Kristina Nilsson (opera singer), Dag Hammarskjöld (UN Secretary-General), Pär Lagerqvist (Nobel Prize winner) and Bruno Mathsson.
Bruno Mathsson place
On Saturday 27 August 1994, Centralplan in central Värnamo changed its name to Bruno Mathsons Plats (Bruno Mathsson´s Place).
Many had gathered for the opening, which was conducted by the chairman of the municipal council, Bo Zaar.
The marching band Lyran with the Drill girls brightened the opening.
The Bruno Mathsson Center becomes a building monument
The Bruno Mathsson Center in Värnamo consists of Bruno Mathsson's parents' home, a wooden villa which then also housed the furniture workshop, as well as his first glass house from 1950. In 1993, a new glass building was erected on the site. It is based on Bruno Mathsson's sketches but for various reasons could not be realized during his lifetime. The new building connects the wooden villa with the original glass house.
In 1945, an experimental house had been erected in the garden in Värnamo in which Bruno Mathsson tried out his ideas. According to the building permit, it was supposed that this house would only stand for one year, but it ended up standing until 1985.
The experimental house came to be recreated with largely the same building elements and plan as the original house. On June 26, 2014, County Governor Minoo Akhtarzand inaugurated the newly constructed building. At the initiative of the county board, the entire Bruno Mathsson Center was declared a building monument at the same time.
Even Bruno Mathsson's own factory building, also located in Värnamo, was declared a building monument.
About 200 people attended the ceremony, which ended with a speech by the chairman of the municipal board, Hans-Göran Johansson.
