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From Forsa to the World - The Story of Holma Helsinglands
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Holma Helsinglands has been around since 1898 and has been an important part of the Swedish textile industry ever since. With over 126 years of innovation, persistence and quality, we have turned flax from the soil of Hälsingland into sought-after weaving yarn - both in Sweden and abroad.
Our story begins in Forsa, where the love of yarn still has its roots.

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An idea that started it all

It all started with a meeting between three men: our founder Axel Leman and two flax farmers - both named Lars. Together they saw an opportunity in the flax grown in the area. Their idea was simple but bold: to start Hälsingland's first flax spinning mill and process the flax by machine.
And that's exactly what they did. It was the start of a long journey that is still ongoing.

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‍Whena whole village moved to Forsa

As the factory grew, more hands were needed, but people with the right skills were in short supply. So Axel took a bold step - he persuaded an entire village in Bohemia to move to Forsa. 125 people came, with their families and their skills. A Catholic church was built next to the factory and a separate parish was formed.

It says something about who Axel was - a person who could bring people together and make them believe in a common future.

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Gender equality and caring - way ahead of their time

Back in the early 1900s, Holma Helsinglands was a workplace that welcomed women - and paid equal pay for equal work. It was unusual then. Axel's wife Freja Leman played a big part in that. She was a strong force for welfare and social responsibility.

In 1907, she started Sweden's first industrial kindergarten. That alone says a lot. Freja deserves a chapter of her own in our history - and we will come back to that.

The future is ours to weave

Today, we look to the future, with the same values we had from the beginning: quality, sustainability and care. We want to continue to be the obvious choice for those looking for really good weaving yarn - no matter where in the world you are.

Together we are spinning towards the future. 100 more years, at least.

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