6 I Jotun Group Report 2021 A legacy of innovation
Now in its 96th year, Jotun’s has grown from a small paint supplier serving the local merchant fleet
based in the port town of Sandefjord, Norway, into one of the fastest growing paints and coatings
manufacturers in the world. Now active in more than 100 countries on five continents, Jotun’s
remarkable history is grounded in the company’s core mission: Jotun Protects Property.
THE JOTUN STORY BEGINS
Former seafarer, Odd Gleditsch Sr. opens
a ships chandlery in the port town of
Sandefjord, Norway. In addition to ship
supplies, he sells marine paints.
1926
Odd Gleditsch Sr. establishes Jotun with the
purchase of the Jotun Kemiske Fabrik A/S
(Jotun Chemical Factory).
1928
To accelerate production and develop his
own products, Gleditsch Sr. buys Gimle
Oljemølle (Gimle Oil Mill).
1932
Jotun launches Arcanol, a marine coating
that provides highly effective protection
against corrosion. Arcanol would soon
become the company’s leading brand,
helping to differentiate Jotun from the
competitors.
1926
1932
SURVIVING THE WAR
Despite restricted access to raw materials
during the German occupation of Norway,
Jotun manages to produce paints using
alternatives to stay in business.
1948
Jotun rival Fleichers Kjemiske Fabrikk
launches Drygolin, and exterior wood
protection paint which rapidly became
Norway’s bestselling exterior paint. The
technology was further developed by Jotun
after companies merged in 1976.
1951
Jotun opens a new five-story factory at
Gimle in Sandefjord, Norway, where a whole
floor was devoted exclusively to research and
development (R&D).
1953
Jotun launches Fenom, a decorative paint
that soon becomes a market leader in
Norway.
1948
1953
1962
1976 EXPLORING NEW MARKETS
In addition to establishing itself in overseas
markets, Jotun pioneers the development of
solvent free powder coatings.
1962
The son of the founder, Odd Gleditsch Jr.,
opens the company’s first overseas factory
in Tripoli, Libya. Six years later, Jotun opens
another factory in Thailand.
1968
Jotun partners with the visionary Norwegian
chemist Gunnar Myhre to create Corro-Coat
A/S and finance its first powder coatings
factory in Larvik, Norway.
1970
Jotun purchases Henry Clark & Sons, a
highly regarded marine paint manufacturer
in the UK, helping Jotun to become an
international player.
1972
Jotun merges with former rivals Alf Bjercke
A/S, Fleischer and Denofa Lilleborg’s paint
division. Together, the four companies
become a strong domestic player with the
resources to expand overseas.
1975
Jotun opens a factory in Dubai, the
company’s first factory in the Middle East.
1976
A fire destroys Jotun’s factory and
warehouse in Sandefjord. The fatal
accident forever shapes Jotun’s approach
to workplace safety. Later that year, Jotun
launches the Jotun Multicolor machine, the
industry’s first computerised in-shop tinting
machine, which would secure Jotun’s market
position in Norway and beyond.
Introduction