"Iron-Birger" Olsson

The King of Orsa

Birger Olsson, also known as Järnbirger (Iron-Birger) built an imperium with hardware stores, chain factory and together with Erik Timander Orsa sågbladsfabrik, Orsa saw-blade factory.

Birger Olsson, also known as Järnbirger (Iron-Birger) built an imperium with hardware stores, chain factory and together with Erik Timander Orsa sågbladsfabrik, Orsa saw-blade factory.

Hardware dealer Birger Olsson, b. 1884 in Ulricehamn, d. 1962. Järnbirger came to Orsa in 1909. He first worked as a clerk at Forsberg's hardware store. He took over the business, moved into the house called Titanic and renamed it Birger Olsson's hardware store. Forsberg's hardware store was bankrupt, but Birger Olsson managed to build his company into a million-dollar industry.

The new company was called Järnbirger AB (Iron-Birger). It also included Orsa Kättingfabrik AB, Orsa Sågbladsfabrik AB, Älvdalens Järnaffär AB and AB Bertas & Co. He came to be called the King of Orsa, and was described as a man of action, with iron-hard will.

Senast uppdaterad: 26 juni 2023