Historia
Harrods January 28 2013
Böle
launches the Made To Order selection at Harrods Exclusive. Anders Sandlund
takes over as Creative Director.
Flagship Store January 28 2013
The Böle store is renovated. The fragrance of spruce bark still permeates the walls.
Stockholm January 28 2013
The company opens a store in Stockholm and high quality and classic craftsmanship attracts many new customers.
Purveyor to His Majesty the King January 28 2013
The company is given the title of Purveyor to His Majesty the King and makes picture frames for the Royal Portrait presented on states visits. Böle have made a number of products for the Swedish royal family over the years.
Minister ‘s briefcase January 28 2013
The famous Minister’s briefcase is developed. Number 1 goes to the Minister for Trade at that time, Anders Sundström
Briefcase Era January 28 2013
The third generation takes over and new products are developed, including briefcases. David, in full winter clothing, falls into vat number 4. Assar starts to take things easier
Prime time January 28 2013
TV-feature about Böle Tannery on SVT Saturday evening at 9 p.m. (Half Sweden watches) Play movie here ( The link opens in a new window).
Voluntary work January 28 2013
Jan & Inger goes to Bangladesh to work for two years as volunteers. Mother Siri is worried.
Medial attention January 28 2013
The company and its much discussed and very special operations are featured frequently in the media.
Winter in Böle January 28 2013
When it was quiet in the shop and the snow was good it was advisable to make the most of it.
Charter Holiday January 28 2013
Summer sales have been high this year and Siri & Assar are off on their first charter holiday
Sunday outings January 28 2013
The family frequently take a trip into the country, up a nearby mountain or to the river rapids. They light a fire, make coffee on a primus stove, fry up some bacon to go with their picnic from the haversack
AW 1961/1962 January 28 2013
The demand for consumer products increases. The Böle bag, now a classic is launched alongside several ladies’ backpack models. Tourism increases as more people own cars, The shop in Böle booms, as many people begin to become interested in Böle’s special craftsmanship and in Böle itself as an interesting place to visit.
New opportunities January 28 2013
Five craftsmen sit and make peaked shoes, but times are still hard. Assar tries to find new products and channels through which to survive. The company succeeds in bringing home a big order for sheepskin seats for government company Vattenfall’s Volvo estate cars. New trade fairs such as ExpoNorr start up and become an important part of business operations
The Duke January 28 2013
The Sandlunds move to a new house beside the tannery. Agneta and Duke, the latter a car, are new additions to the family. Jan, age 7, falls into tannery vat number 13.
New Generation January 28 2013
Assar takes over the tannery in difficult conditions. The Farmers Association (ung.) launch a rubber boot that almost eradicates the traditional peaked footwear. Many tanneries go broke or turn to industrial tanning using chemicals. Assar insists on keeping up traditions and tanning leather with spruce bark and water. Assar takes an extra job as a swimming teacher.
Family life January 28 2013
The family increases in size with Jan, the third generation. Assar takes the opportunity to push the pram around the scenic paths that surround the tannery.
The Blockade January 28 2013
During the war years the tannery goes very well. Bengt, who is in charge and the sawmill owner, are the only people in the village to pay war profits tax. There is a shortage of leather and other goods owing to the blockade.
Jokkmokk Wintermarket January 28 2013
Böle participate at the Jokkmokk Winter Market for the first time. A lively trading centre and an event which has been held here for centuries. The company would participate at the market for 80 years in succession with Assar holding a personal record of 62 consecutive years, a year more than “Sausage Seller Inga”. When the temperature sinks down to around minus 40ᵒ C it is best to trade as quickly as possible.
Roknäs IF January 28 2013
Assar is a skilful and feared halfback with Roknäs football club. Begins to date Siri Viklund and works in the workshop with his father
The Star Cinema January 28 2013
Aunt Karin (married name Lindquist), sister to Bengt, Assar and Hilding plays the piano wearing a mink stole to the silent films shown at the Star Cinema that lies on the opposite side of the road from the tannery.
Good times January 28 2013
Oskar invests in a new tannery (this one) on the banks of the Piteå river. The regularly topped up water in the tanning vats has not been replaced since. Operations are focused on tanning leather for the local traditional peaked footwear. This is a big industry, the Piteå district alone contains some ten bark tanneries.
The Sandlund family January 28 2013
Oskar and Emma have many children, although many died young. Assar manages to survive and turns out to be a sterling fellow.
A tanning mecca January 28 2013
Conditions in the Piteå district are ideal for tanneries. Plenty of raw materials to be had in a flourishing farming community with a big demand for utility goods such as gloves, traditional peaked shoes and harnesses.
Böle January 28 2013
The family company of Böle is founded in 1899 by Oskar Sandlund on the banks of the Piteå river. The family’s own leather is tanned with spruce bark and water – and entirely without chemicals. The company’s own-designed leather goods are made using traditional methods with focus on classic craftsmanship and quality.