The Hilleberg History
In 1971, Bo Hilleberg, a professional forester, founded
his own company, Hilleberg AB. That same year, while on a ski vacation in the
Austrian Tyrol, Bo met Renate Neuner. After a couple of years, the two had
fallen in love, married, and she had moved with him to Stockholm, Sweden. Their
marriage was the final, necessary ingredient in the mix that has become
Hilleberg the Tentmaker.
Before Renate, Bo’s fledgling company was primarily a
forestry equipment concern, with tent making as a hoped-for sideline. An avid,
lifelong outdoorsman, Bo was terminally frustrated with tents that required
pitching the inner tent first and then covering it with a loose rain fly that
usually displayed the same properties as a kite in the wind. He envisioned a
tent that had an outer and inner tent that pitched together, simultaneously –
but he didn’t have the necessary sewing skills. With Bo and Renate’s marriage,
conjugal and commercial became one: Renate took charge of the sewing while Bo
handled design and sales, a division of labor that has served the couple – and
company – admirably ever since.
For the company – and the family – each decade has brought
an obvious and significant growth, always based on family and company being
inextricably linked.
formative years
1971
Bo Hilleberg establishes his company, Hilleberg AB, and
meets his future wife, Renate Neuner.
1973
The new couple/company design their first production tent
the Keb, the first commercial tent to have a connected inner and outer. Its
obvious advantage – simultaneous pitching of both elements of the tent – made
it an immediate success.
1974 – 1976
Rolf and Petra join the family. Company and family move to
Jämtland, both to be near their production facility and to take advantage of
the area’s fantastic mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and of course, snowy
winters for skiing – everything an outdoors-oriented family could want!
Bo discovers that a certain type of silicone-coated fabric
is six to seven times stronger than nearly any other tent fabric, and, always
the early – or in this case, the first – adopter, switches completely from
polyurethane- to the silicone-coated fabric for outer tents. Dubbed Kerlon
1500, it has an exceptional tear strength of 15 kg/33 lbs.
1977 – 1978
Bo redesigns the linked inner and outer tent design so
that the two pieces can be disconnected, and incorporates this into a tunnel
tent design.
tunnel tents
1981
The introduction of the Keron, successor to the earlier
linked-but-separate inner and outer tent design.
1982 – 1984
The Nammatj and the original Stalon models are
introduced.
1987 – 1989
The first generation Nallo model is introduced to great
acclaim, both for its remarkably low weight and for its innovative integration
of the venting system into the outer tent door.
The first, extended vestibule GT versions – Keron and
Nammatj – are introduced.
dome tents
1990 – 1993
Saitaris, the first Hilleberg dome tent, is introduced, as
is the first Hilleberg tarp and their first single-wall, Gore-Tex model, the
Rupal.
The Staika, the first fully free standing Hilleberg tent,
joins the line.
The EX system is introduced in some tunnel tent models.
With its zip on, zip off vestibules, it foreshadows the Modular tents that will
come in the next decade.
All tents get adjustable pole holders, which makes
pitching even easier.
1995
After a number of years of internal testing to get it just
right, Bo and Renate debut the Akto, a roomy, very light, solo tent with true
all season function. It is an immediate hit.
The European Outdoor Award is given for the first time.
The Hilleberg Nallo wins best overall outdoor product.
1996 – 1997
The company buys property in Estonia and begins building
the new Hilleberg factory. It opens on February 2, 1997.
Unna, the second fully free standing tent – a solo model –
is introduced.
Adjustable peg attachments are added to the tents.
1998
The Saivo debuts. An immensely stable three person dome
tent, it also showcases Bo’s short pole sleeve and clip system, which makes
pitching tents with multiple pole crossings simpler and quicker, especially in
windy conditions.
the next generation
2000
Hilleberg, Inc., the US subsidiary in Redmond, WA, is
established – and run – by Petra Hilleberg.
2001
The Bivanorak is introduced. A patented hybrid of garment
and bivy bag, it is the commercial version of what was originally developed as
survival gear for Swedish Air Force pilots.
2002
Kerlon 1000, the Ultralight version of the established
Kerlon 1500, is introduced in the second generation of the Nallo. Its 10 kg/22
lbs tear strength make it five to six times stronger than most other “heavy
duty” fabrics. It is also used on the new GT version of the Nallo, which is so
popular that demand outstrips production.
2003
Rolf Hilleberg becomes Managing Director of Hilleberg the
Tentmaker in Sweden. Bo Hilleberg continues as Chairman of the Board.
After extensive development, both Kerlon fabrics boast an
improved tear strength: from 15kg/33 lbs to 18 kg/40 lbs, and from 10 kg/22 lbs
to 12kg/26 lbs. Fabric names are changed to “Kerlon 1800” and “Kerlon “1200” to
reflect this.
2005
The fully modular Stalon and Muddus are introduced. Also
new is the first Hilleberg Ultralight dome tent, the Jannu, which was designed
as the ultimate, high mountain assault tent.
2006
The company debuts the modular Atlas, the Ultralight
Kaitum, and the superlight single wall shelter Rajd. All are the epitome of the
Hilleberg low weight principle: the eight person Atlas weighs a remarkable 8.4
kg/18 lbs 11 oz; the two person Kaitum weighs just 2.8 kg/6 lbs 4 oz, yet
boasts two doors, two vestibules and exceptional roominess; the two person
shelter Rajd weighs a mere 950 g/2 lbs 2 oz, yet comfortably takes two plus
gear.
Hilleberg sweeps the prestigious Gear of the Year Awards,
given by the readers of the German magazine Outdoor. The Nallo 2, Keron 4 GT,
and Kaitum all won their respective categories, and the Kaitum also received
the Editor’s Choice award.
2008
The two-person Allak and solo Soulo are introduced. Both
represent the next evolution in Hilleberg dome tents: Ultralight, fully free
standing, including vestibule(s), with exceptional strength. Also joining the
line is the three person version of the Kaitum.
2009
The Kaitum GT is introduced, in both two and three person
sizes. Remarkably light and wonderfully spacious, the Kaitum GT completes the
Kaitum “family,” which is the Ultralight complement to the Keron models.
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Copyright 2010©Hilleberg, Inc.
