Compass: Charting the Evolution of Outdoor Gear

Silva History

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1928

Gunnar Tillander invents the first orienteering (protractor) compass.

1932

The Silva company is established in December

1933

Bröderna Kjellström and Instrumentverken (Silva brand) established, based on invention of liquid filled compass

1946

Bjorn Kjellstrom begins Silva U.S.A. operations as The Silva Company (later Silva, Inc.). Compass assembly factory in Indiana.

Silva Orienteering Services established to support the sport of Orienteering in North America.

1948

Kjellstrom founds Silva Ltd. of Canada.

1958  

Silva expands with the acquisition of an injection molding plastic equipment

1964

Type 15 (Ranger) deluxe model compass introduced, with mirror sighting system, and adjustable declination

1973  

New manufacturing plant for Instrumentverken was built in Sollentuna

1980  

Tillander founder family become a 100% owner of all shares. Bröderna Kjellström company is renamed Silva Sweden AB

1981  

Silva launches its first marine electronic instrument

1981  

Silva Ltd in UK was established

1982  

Silva France S.A.R.L. was established

1987  

Silva Far East Hong Kong was established

1989  

Instrumentverken was renamed to Silva Production AB

1992

Launches the world first handheld GPS with an integrated digital compass

1995

Bjorn Kjellstrom dies

1996  

Silva Sweden AB acquires all shares in the Brunton Company in USA

2000  

Silva Production and Silva Sweden AB is merged into one company Silva Sweden AB

2002  

Silva Germany was established

2004  

Silva China, production plant, was established

2005  

Silva’s Marine business is gathered into one company Silva Nexus Marine AB

2006 

Fiskars Corporation acquires Silva Sweden AB

Silva Sweden AB now