Linum was founded over 40 years ago by Sven Kempe after he had travelled in India. During his time in there, the idea of helping people to develop through their own work grew strong. Today, the will to support the development in southern India and to combine this with the best of Swedish design, is still the foundation on which our company culture and philosophy is built. The first product produced and sold in Sweden was handmade leather sandals. The Palaniswami family, who produced these sandals in India, are still the main suppliers for Linum and are responsible for 80% of the textile production.
1979
Thoughts about expansion were born at an early stage. Through personal connections , Sven came in contact with Joachim Heinz who founded Linum in Germany. Today, Germany is Linum’s biggest market.
1986
Linum receives the first honorary award from Svensk Form, a Swedish foundation for heritage and design. This award is followed by numerous
others for the company’s outstanding design.
1987
Linum discontinues the use of chlorine in the production process.
1993
Linum France is founded. Swedish Anna Bonde ran an interior design business in France and contacted Sven about stocking the Linum products in her shop. The efforts were very successful and the idea of establishing and promoting Linum as a brand in France was realised. At the age of 27, Anna’s daughter Ebba took the role as MD of Linum France and she still heads up the French operation.
2003
The interest in Linum’s products began to spread to the British Isles and the company established a UK operation.
