Jøtul north america expands operation to include wood stove production

GORHAM, Maine – All Jøtul brand wood and gas stoves and fireplace inserts sold in the North America will now be manufactured in Gorham, Maine. The transfer doubles production at the company’s Gorham facility. The Norwegian trade union and Ratos AB, private equity owners from Stockholm, Sweden, have approved the production transfer.

 

“Doubling our manufacturing capacity and hiring several new employees over the next six months will be extremely challenging, but it is a challenge we gladly accept,” said Bret Watson, President and CEO of Jøtul North America. Jøtul’s Gorham, Maine manufacturing plant, which is also the brand’s North American headquarters, will absorb nine unique wood burning models that are currently manufactured in Fredrikstad, Norway.

 

Mr. Watson also stated about doubling Jøtul North America’s manufacturing, “Having designed and/or manufactured all of Jøtul’s gas products as well as many of the current wood products over the last 15+ years, this is a logical progression for us.  Having more control over quality, better on-time delivery, and locating assembly closer to engineering can only be positive news for our customer base.”

 

Jøtul North America currently imports approximately 9,000 wood stoves from their parent company in Fredrikstad, Norway to be sold throughout North America. Jøtul AS will continue to produce the cast iron parts and flat pack them to Jøtul NA where they will be assembled.

 

Jøtul North America employs approximately 75 people and sells approximately 17,000 wood and gas stoves and fireplace inserts throughout North America annually.  It is considered the dominant cast iron player in the North America hearth products market.

About Jøtul North America

The company was founded in Maine in 1980. The parent company, Jøtul AS, was founded in Norway in 1853; Jøtul stoves have been imported in the U.S. since the early 1970s.

 

In the early 1990’s, Jøtul North America was a pioneer in the gas hearth products market in the U.S. with its freestanding gas room heater. In 1998, Jøtul North America's Maine facility added Product Development as well as the final assembly of the product line of gas room heaters designed for the North American hearth products market.  In July 2005, Jøtul North America re-located to the former Sebago shoe manufacturing facility in Gorham Industrial Park where they began a two-shift sheet metal production operation to keep up with demand for its gas and wood stove and insert business.  The current face of Jøtul includes a full spectrum of high-end stoves and fireplace inserts from the steadfast and often-mimicked traditional Norwegian cast iron designs to cutting edge contemporary units.  All units are constructed with a keen eye on quality craftsmanship and maximum efficiency through Jøtul's clean burn technology.