Sven-Åke Sundberg founded Torverk in 1962. He despises throwaway products and wants to manufacture the most durable and robust doors possible.
Together with engineer Arne Eriksson, he designs every detail with a focus on durability and functionality. Since all resources go into development, the door installers travel by train or bus with a toolbox in hand.
The Energy Crisis Changes Everything
Customers love the sturdy steel doors until 1973. Then Egypt and Syria attack Israel, leading to a global oil crisis.
From having almost free energy in the early ’70s, crude oil prices double 14 times over the next ten years. Heating oil is rationed, and the government urges everyone to add extra insulation to houses and buildings to save energy.
Insulation Becomes More Important
In response to the new market conditions, Sven-Åke and Arne decide to develop their doors to also become the most well-insulated doors possible.
They place seals around the entire door and between each section. But the floor seals drag on the ground and wear out in no time. So they invent a hinge that lifts the door a few millimeters before it opens, eliminating the problem.
Transitioned to Sandwich Production
After Sven-Åke’s son Lars takes over as CEO in the ’80s, all development focuses on reducing the customer’s operating costs by making the door more durable and better insulated.
They switch to sandwich production with super-insulating foam and gas-insulated windows with thermal breaks. They add strong reinforcements at all load-bearing parts of the construction and invent pinch protection and clever safety features.
The Economy Declines When Product Development Stops
But when the company gets new management in the early 2000s, product development comes to a halt, and Torverk’s economy declines until the company is sold to the current owners in 2017.
Now Investing in Product & Production Development
Today, we once again prioritize product development. Just like Sven-Åke Sundberg, we want to build the most durable and well-insulated door possible, because it’s the only logical choice in a time when the Earth’s resources are strained.
Throwaway products are not compatible with a sustainable world or a clear conscience.
