"Iron-Birger" Olsson
The King of Orsa
Birger Olsson, also known as “Järnbirger” (Iron‑Birger), built an industrial empire that included hardware stores, a chain factory, and—together with Erik Timander—the Orsa Saw‑Blade Factory.
Hardware dealer Birger Olsson (born 1884 in Ulricehamn, died 1962) came to Orsa in 1909. He first worked as a clerk at Forsberg’s hardware store. When he later took over the business, he moved it into the house known as “Titanic” and renamed it Birger Olsson’s Hardware Store. Forsberg’s hardware store had gone bankrupt, but Birger Olsson succeeded in turning the business into a thriving, million‑krona enterprise.
His new company was called Järnbirger AB (“Iron‑Birger”). The business group eventually included Orsa Kättingfabrik AB, Orsa Sågbladsfabrik AB, Älvdalens Järnaffär AB, and AB Bertas & Co. Olsson became known as the “King of Orsa” and was described as a man of action with an iron-strong will.