Website norrona.com Founder Jørgen Jørgensen | Founded 29 April 1929 | |
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Products Clothing and sports gear CEO Jørgen Jørgensen (Jan 2005–) Profiles | ||
Norr na who am i
Norrøna is a Norwegian brand of outdoor clothing and sports gear. The company was founded in 1929 by Jørgen Jørgensen and is run by his great-grandson, also named Jørgen Jørgensen.
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Norr na in waves
History
Norrøna was founded on 29 April 1929 by Jørgen Jørgensen. He was succeeded in turn by his son Bjarne, by Bjarne's son Ole Jørgen, and in 2005 by Ole Jørgen's son Jørgen Jørgensen, who opened the company's first shop in November 2009, and won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the retailing category in 2012. The company has expanded over the years into areas including garden furniture, but now again concentrates on outdoor clothing and expedition equipment. The first children's collection is to go on sale in August 2014. Norrøna's annual turnover increased 44% to 235 million Norwegian kroner in 2011, and 22% to 245 million kroner in 2012.
Norrøna is known for innovation, and currently employs 17 of its 55 staff in research and development. The company introduced the first tunnel tent for mountaineers, developed an ergonomic standard for backpacks, and introduced Gore-Tex to Europe. They have worked with expedition leaders and sportsmen including Lars Monsen, cyclist Kurt Asle Arvesen, polar explorer Børge Ousland, freerider Christine Hargin, urban skier Even Sigstad and snowboarder Andreas Wiig.
Norrøna popularised "flashy" colours in outdoor wear. Their flagship product is the Lofoten, a snow suit with a roomy cut that adapts well to cross-country or downhill skiing or snowboarding, sells some 500 units a year, and has been widely imitated. Their collections are traditionally named for locations.