Visiting Sjöbergs – Our journey to the oldest workbench manufacturer in Sweden

Behind every Sjöbergs workbench stands a person. A person who, with hand, heart, and dedication, creates a workbench from wood that will last a lifetime.

Meeting these very people is part of the Iconic Tools philosophy. So we set out again. This time to Sweden. A place where every workbench is still made with real tools, genuine craftsmanship, and great pride.

But what makes a Sjöbergs workbench so special? Why do craftsmen around the world swear by this traditional Swedish brand? In this travelogue, we'll show you how true craftsmanship is created, why sustainability isn't just a cliché here, and why our factory tour was more than just a simple business meeting.

Arrival in the heart of Småland

It's the end of March. Our ferry glides through the darkness across the Baltic Sea. Travemünde slowly disappears on the horizon, and we set course for Trelleborg. Our car is packed with camera equipment, a tripod, microphones, and even small regional gifts from East Westphalia. Our destination: the Sjöbergs factory in Stockaryd, southern Sweden, one of the world's most renowned manufacturers of workbenches.

After a night on the ferry, we leave the port of Trelleborg early in the morning. We continue straight on. Our first stop in Sweden is the university town of Växjö. Due to its location in a densely forested area, forestry is also an important industry. This city is known for its proximity to nature and modern wooden architecture. Växjo is considered the "greenest city" in Europe. 50 percent of all buildings were recently constructed using wood. We, too, are impressed by the architecture.

After a short coffee break, we feel a sense of relaxation as we continue our journey. The roads are wide, long, and, above all, empty. We are surrounded by seemingly endless forests, tranquil lakes, and picturesque houses painted in their typical Falun red.

In the late afternoon, we reach Stockaryd. Located on the outskirts of town, we find the Sjöbergs factory, a family business with over 100 years of experience in building durable workbenches for professionals, DIY enthusiasts, and schools.

We're staying at the nearby Best Western Hotel in Vrigstad. It's a peaceful place to arrive, just a few kilometers away. It's modern, quiet, and we relax in the Swedish sauna after our long journey. A perfect place to unwind body and mind.

In the evening, we meet our host Maria. Maria is Swedish and lived in Germany for many years. She not only knows the history of Sjöbergs, but also supports Sjöbergs' partners in German-speaking countries. Over dinner, we talk about quality, craftsmanship, the differences between the German and Swedish education systems, and, incidentally, we hear from her about the world's smallest workbench.

The story of Sjöbergs: how a small workbench conquered the USA

In 1959, Sjöbergs ventured into the US market for the first time. Not with a shipment or a major sales campaign, but with an inconspicuous exhibit: a handmade miniature workbench, barely larger than a shoebox.
Exhibited at a trade fair in California, the model became a surprise success. Visitors were fascinated by its precision, Scandinavian design, and palpable attention to detail, even in its miniature form. Shortly thereafter, the first orders poured in from the USA. Not for miniatures, but for real, solid workbenches made of Swedish beech.
This small bank had created trust in quality, origin, and genuine craftsmanship.

A look into production: This is how a Sjöbergs workbench is made

The next morning, our tour of the Sjöbergs factory begins. We start our tour in the beautifully designed showrooms. We learn about the special features and differences of the products and receive all sorts of tips on the many possibilities Sjöbergs offers. And we quickly realize that anyone who chooses a Sjöbergs workbench isn't getting a simple, mass-produced product.

After the showroom, we finally headed to the factory. On the way from the showroom through the production hall, this small symbolic moment occurred, which wasn't surprising, but still touching. While we were talking about processes, craftsmanship, and high-quality tools, about what's going well and the few things that could be improved, there it was: a Tormek T-8 . And it became clear to us once again that here, in the midst of a Swedish company, Swedish quality works with Swedish quality.

Then we start in the approximately 1,000 m² receiving hall. The air here is filled with the aroma of freshly processed beech and birch. This is where the delivered wooden scantlings from sustainable Swedish forestry are temporarily stored, inspected, and pre-sorted.

Turned gluing for maximum dimensional stability

The next stage of processing involves a technique that requires manual labor, eye for detail, and experience to prevent any warping of the workbench tops: reverse gluing. This involves gluing the scantlings alternately with their left and right sides facing up. This balances out the wood's natural tensions. The result: a stable, even work surface with a long service life.

After several sanding steps at the following stations, the edges are smoothed by hand. This creates the worktops for which Sjöbergs is known. Each workbench is then constructed modularly, with holes and milling for sophisticated clamping systems, bench dogs, and clamps, all with a clear focus on functionality and ergonomics. The surfaces are simply oiled for protection. And every bench is precisely inspected for quality, readjusted, and only packaged when in perfect condition. Whether it's a Scandi 1425 , an Elite 2000 , or the popular Junior/Senior model for schools and training, every workbench is built for the person who will be using it.

Workbenches with responsibility – quality from Sweden

For over 100 years, Sjöbergs has been producing exclusively in Sweden, out of conviction. The company stands for durability, sustainability, and repairability. All workbenches are manufactured according to ISO standards and come with a 10-year warranty. Incidentally, sustainability down to the last chip. In keeping with the circular economy, all leftover wood is put to good use: either as CO2-neutral fuel to heat the workshops or as training material in schools, non-profit youth workshops, and social projects.
These values ​​align with the mission statement at Iconic Tools. That's why we view our collaboration with Sjöberg not just as a dealer, but above all as a partner. We believe that quality begins at the source, and trust develops when we meet on equal terms.

Conclusion: A workbench from Sjöbergs is a decision for life

Our visit to the factory convinced us: A Sjöbergs workbench isn't a compromise, but a statement. It represents genuine craftsmanship, thoughtful workmanship, and tools that will last for generations.
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