Eivind Johansen

Born in Kroderen, Norway in 1920. His mother died when he was only 2 years old, so he was looked after by relatives in a local farm. Brought up in a poor family, he had to quit school quite early and help out on the farm. By the age of 15 he moved to his sister in the nearest city, Drammen. Eivind had saved up some money to go to school to get a “trade-letter” which was necessary to start a business.

In 1939 coincidence gave him the opportunity to buy a punch press and a sewing machine with which he established the company at only 19 years old. Brought up on a farm, it was easy for him to get wool from his old connections and began making woolen insoles.
The 2nd World War came to Norway only a year after he started business, and with this came very hard times. After the war, Norway lacked almost everything and anyone with production equipment had an opportunity to build a new and better future. Without any education in textiles, Eivind bought his first knitting machine in 1945 and hired his first employees. After some years he hired Elsa, who soon became his wife. Together they built a modern factory and established shops that served the local market with warm clothing. They got two children, Tone and Jan Eivind Johansen. Jan is now the owner of Aclima and still working in the company, he was able to get the textile education that his father missed.