History of Thule Group

In 1942, Thule Group was founded by the Thulin family, when Erik Thulin, a true lover of the outdoors, put the Thule name on a so called pike fishing trap (a fishing gear) that he designed and began to sell to the fisherman of Scandinavia. It wasn’t long before he added other practical things to his company’s portfolio. Business grew, gaining profitably year after year.

By the 1960s, the company began to concentrate its business on car-related products that would make it easier for people to bring different gear with them. The first ski rack was introduced in 1962. In the 1970s, new product categories were added with the growth of new sports such as alpine skiing and new markets were also opened all over the world (e.g. USA, Japan).

Thulin family sold the company in 1979 to the, at that time public company, Eldon Group. But the entrepreneurship and passion remained and Thule Group has continued to grow, with various private owners, both organically and through acquisitions ever since. Today Thule Group is a publicly listed company and a world leader in products that make it easy for people to bring everything they care about – securely, safely, and in style. We are a sport and outdoor company, continuing the tradition of Thule Group by developing smart solutions that are safe and easy to use and that enable active lives.

Below are some milestones from our history.