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The company was
established in
1948
by Samson Lid and
initially received the
name S.G. Lid & Skutlaberg Metallindustri, with the
intention of producing
furniture mountings
and locks. This
production never
materialised, and
instead he chose to
produced an ice chain
for bicycles. Not
entirely without
problems ...
The 2nd world war had
just ended and the youth of Norheimsund looked to the future with
great optimism. Finally they could start to make plans of their
own. For many years Samson Lid had
worked in the furniture industry, and now they where short of locks
etc. Therefore, on October 20 1947, Samson Lid and Leiv
Skutlaberg agreed to start the production of
furniture locks and mountings. The pair were filled with enthusiasm and
already within a year S.G. Lid & Skutlaberg Metallindustri was
registered. In the beginning, the firm had their
quarters in one of the many barracks left behind by the Germans only
months earlier. The barracks was moved and placed on the Lid farm.
Because of the war, all
kinds of machinery and material for production were rationed. The
companies that had been in business before and during the war were
obviously made a priority. But with help from friends and family they
were able to buy a 16 ton eccentric press
from Denmark. This investment made a huge impact on their financial
situation, and since it wasn't possible to get additional tools,
the production of locks never materialised. The idea of
producing an ice chain for bicycles appeared, a product thought to be ideal for the icy roads on the West Coast of Norway.
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GRABB Bicycle chain
A bicycle
chain was the first product produced by the company. The chain
was called TRYGG (meaning safe), but when the bicycle producer
Helleberg from Lillehammer was made aware of the fact that Lid
was using their brand name, the initial series had to be
withdrawn from the market. This was far from the only problem
the newly started company experienced with their first
product.
[
Read more about the troublesome
start here ] |
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The ice chain was obviously a
seasonal product. The product range was therefore quickly
expanded with handheld carriages, prams and a washing machine with
an oak housing.
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Carrigages
The first
products following the ice chain were handheld carriages of
all kinds produced during the 50's.
New machines were purchased for welding the thin
pipes.
The target segment was farmers, and the sale developed nicely.
The eccentric press used for the
chain production, was also used for producing 1"
fence pole- cramps.
The machine now worked completely automatic and even weighed
the boxes automatically. |
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Ventilator
Samson had
learned from previous mistakes and therefor he patented this 6"
ventilator that he constructed
in the beginning of the 50's.
The fan and other
smaller products kept the eccentric press busy, but it wasn't a
big success in the market. Giving more work than profit, these
products faded away after a while. Only the ice chain
production continued in the eccentric press. |
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Entering the 1950's the problems of supply decreased. Getting
the required material was no longer a big problem. In 1953 Leiv
Skutlaberg was released from the company and the name Lid
Jarnindustri was taken. The production now turned to mech-anical industry and
production of larger series. Within the next year 150
square meters was added to the 50 square meters large building. The welding was done on the ground floor, and the wooden
work on the first floor. |
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Prototype of a pram
In 1950 Lid
planned to launch this pram on the Norwegian market. But the
production
stopped with this prototype ... |
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Almost 10
years had gone by since the war ended. The standard of living was
increasing, resulting in the introduction of washing machines in the
private households.
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DALEN Washing machine
DALEN
Washing machine was produced from the middle of the 50's.
The washing machine was very popular, and Samson Lid travelled all over the country to teach women how to wash their
clothes "the new way". "I can not say that I
was the right man for this job,
but at least I have a lot of interesting episodes to look back
at.
The machine was built
in a box made of oak, and it was controlled and approved by
the "Norwegian control of electrical
equipment". Everything
looked bright and Samson was preparing the production line. The
oak box was not ideal for this purpose so the work on
constructing a new box in stainless steel had started. When
this machine was finished, ready to be shipped
to Oslo for approval, the news
broke that the large English producer of washing machines,
HOOVER, where about to sue all the small producers that had
copied their patent. Samson knew
he wasn't entirely innocent at this, and therefor the
production stopped. |
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The washing machine was
the first product sold with the brand name DALEN. Since then Lid
Jarnindustri AS has produced a large range of products. Hangers for
both cars and trucks, wagons built in plastic, boats, different
equipment for the 2- wheel tractor etc.
Equipment for the 2- wheel tractor
In the
beginning of the 50's the 2- wheel tractor came from several
parts of Europe. These tractors made life easier for the
people on the steep West Coast farms. But there where a lack
of equipment for these tractors. In 1954 Lid signed a sales
contract for "MOTO Standard" giving him the
opportunity to sell the tractor in his district. Lid
Jarnidustri made different machines for this tractor.
The company was now
established in the agricultural market. But the
assortment were dominated by products for the winter season.
Therefor Mr Lid decided to start the production of car
trailers. The
timing was excellent. The agricultural market decreased, while the
car industry looked to the future with great optimism.
DALEN car trailers
The company started using plastic in it's production.
The hangers were equipped with plastic tops, and soon
afterwards caravans was produced at Lid Jarnindustri. The
possibility to work with plastic also lead to the a short
period of boat making in the 70's.
The hanger production stopped
after a few prosperous years. Having to support two different sales
channels (car- dealers and machine- dealers) was not possible for
the small business. The production was now fitted the larger
tractors. Especially the snow blowers would be important for the
further development.
Equipment for the 4- wheel tractor
Gradually the production
shifted to equipment for the 4- wheel tractor. Equipment that we
still make today. Since 1967 the
company has been one of the leading manufacturers of snow
blowers for the 4- wheel tractor.
On the 1st of January 1975 the company was registered at the stock.
Lid Jarnindustri AS continued to promote the products as the brand name DALEN.
Today we produce a large
range of tractor- mounted equipment within the categories SNOW
CLEANING, ROAD MAINTENANCE,
FIREWOOD PRODUCTION, GRASS HANDLING, and
LIFTING DEVICES. The
connection with the agricultural market started with
the introduction of the 2- wheel tractor in 1956.
This has been our most important market ever since. The
production is today mainly focused on 3- point mounted equipment for
the 4- wheel tractor. Our products are mainly sold through the large
tractor- selling chains.
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