OUR HISTORY
From practical household vessels…
John E Jonsson was not particularly interested in farming, despite coming from a farming family. It was evident from an early age that John E Johnsson was more curious about technology and design.
Together with his father-in-law, John E Johnsson started the company that would eventually become the leading provider of outdoor stoves in Sweden. In the beginning, they produced household pots that were primarily bought by farmers and workers. The Swedish holiday reform in 1938 led to Swedes having more free time, which resulted in a sudden increase in the demand for camping equipment. John, being a bit of an inventor and an opportunist, didn’t take long to develop a an outdoor cooking stove. John’s two sons, Olle and Eric, shared his interests and soon joined the business.
In 1951, they launched the first prototype of the Trangia stove; a complete cooking system with a burner, pot and windshield. They decided to use liquid fuel due to its efficiency and user friendliness. Trangia has since become one of the leading outdoor industry brands, both in Sweden and around the world. Generations of scouts, mountain hikers and outdoor enthusiasts have cooked their meals on a Trangia stove, still made in the village of Trångsviken, in northern Sweden.
”A talent for innovation can go a long way. This was the case for John E. Jonsson, and it is in his spirit that we continue to develop Trangia today.”
Our history in photos
Fritjof Svensson showing Camping set 24. Together with his son-in-law John E Jonsson, he started Trangia in 1925
Sune Sandström packs Open spirit stove, around 1965
John E Jonsson 1947
Uno Hemmingsson, at the new factory. The factory in the 80s
Eivor Hemmingsson packaging stoves, 80’s
Trangia factory in the 80's
Trangia factory 1950
Frasse (Ragnar Olsson) & Uno Hemmingsson 1950. Two young guys who were with Trangia for a long time. Frasse also has a machine named after him that is still on Trangia today
From left: Sune Sandström, Olle Jonsson, Sune Torgersson, Olle Pål Eriksson, Walter Sundell, Erik Jonsson, Gustav Färnström, Ragnar Frasse Olsson.
Staff outside Trangia 1948
Trangia 1948
Lars-Erik Olsson dips Open spirit stove in aluminum paint, around 1965
"New" Trangia factory 1978
Yvonne Hemmingsson polishing 4.5 billys, 80’s
Jan Bergman at the old Trangia factory
Frasse again, in the 50's
The governor visits the old Trangia Factory in 1955
Jan Bergman worked at Trangia for over 40 years! The factory in the 80s
Three generations – Bengt, Sara & Erik Jonsson. 1999