Albert E. Olsen

Albert E. Olsen (commonly abbreviated AEO) was a Norwegian group and nationwide chain of machinery and industrial supply warehouses. Founded in 1902 in Trondheim by the machinist Albert E. Olsen, the company grew into a distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products serving professional customers in both the private and public sectors. Its product range covered clothing and footwear, electrical articles, hand tools, lifting and transport equipment, machinery, chemicals, ladders and scaffolding, welding and gas equipment, protective equipment, and goods within hydraulics, cleaning, and locks and fittings. The business remained family-owned across four generations, with the founder succeeded by his sons and later by the fourth generation. Expansion accelerated from the mid-20th century, beginning with a branch in Mosjøen in 1956, followed by Harstad (1968), Kristiansund (1981), Tromsø and Alta (1985), Oslo (1991), Kirkenes (1993), Bodø (1995), Stord (1997), Florø (2001), Orkanger (2005), and Bergen (2011). This branch network made AEO a nationwide supplier to industry, workshops, and public institutions. Despite its long history and broad footprint, the company filed for bankruptcy in August 2019. Following the bankruptcy, the Norwegian industrial and maritime supplier TESS acquired AEO's inventory and operating equipment. The AEO brand thus ceased active trading, leaving a legacy as one of Norway's older industrial supply chains.

Albert E. Olsen was founded in 1902 in Trondheim by the machinist Albert E. Olsen. The company was established as a machinery and industrial supply business and remained under family ownership, with the founder succeeded by his sons and, in time, by the fourth generation of the Olsen family. For much of the 20th century, AEO operated as a regional supplier based in Trondheim. Its expansion into a nationwide chain began in earnest with the opening of a branch in Mosjøen in 1956. Further branches followed: Harstad in 1968, Kristiansund in 1981, Tromsø and Alta in 1985, Oslo in 1991, Kirkenes in 1993, Bodø in 1995, Stord in 1997, Florø in 2001, Orkanger in 2005, and Bergen in 2011. This network allowed AEO to serve professional customers across Norway, including industry, workshops, construction, and public sector buyers. The company's product portfolio was broad, covering clothing and footwear, electrical articles, hand tools, lifting and transport equipment, machinery, chemicals, ladders and scaffolding, welding and gas equipment, protective equipment, and goods within hydraulics, cleaning, and locks and fittings. This made AEO a full-line MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) distributor. Despite its long history and extensive branch network, Albert E. Olsen filed for bankruptcy in August 2019. After the bankruptcy, the Norwegian industrial and maritime supplier TESS acquired AEO's inventory and operating equipment. The AEO brand ceased active operations, and its website (aeo.no) no longer represents an active trading company.

• 2019

  Company filed for bankruptcy in August; TESS acquired AEO's inventory and operating equipment.

• 2011

  Branch opened in Bergen.

• 2005

  Branch opened in Orkanger.

• 2001

  Branch opened in Florø.

• 1997

  Branch opened in Stord.

• 1995

  Branch opened in Bodø.

• 1993

  Branch opened in Kirkenes.

• 1991

  Branch opened in Oslo.

• 1985

  Branches opened in Tromsø and Alta.

• 1981

  Branch opened in Kristiansund.

• 1968

  Branch opened in Harstad.

• 1956

  Branch opened in Mosjøen, marking the start of nationwide expansion.

• 1902

  Albert E. Olsen founded in Trondheim by machinist Albert E. Olsen.

Nationwide Norwegian supplier of machinery and industrial supplies for professional customers in the private and public sectors.

• Clothing and footwear

• Electrical articles

• Hand tools

• Lifting and transport equipment

• Machinery

• Chemicals

• Ladders and scaffolding

• Welding and gas equipment

• Protective equipment

• Hydraulics

• Cleaning supplies

• Locks and fittings

1. 1Albert E. Olsen – Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Albert E. Olsen – Wikipedia (Norwegian)no.wikipedia.org