Silva
Three entrepreneurial brothers. One great invention. In 1933, Björn, Alvar and Arvid Kjellström invented the first ever liquid-filled compass, and our story began. Not only was it the first compass of its kind, but is also set the global standard for how navigation works. The SILVA brand was born. TIMELINE: 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 More info at
https://silva-canada.com/pages/about-silva