Viking Tyres

Viking Tyres is a Norwegian-origin tire brand whose history is connected to the rubber-manufacturing business established by Peter Mathias Røwde. The enterprise began in 1906 as A/S Viking Gummivarefabrikk. After the original factory was destroyed by fire in 1913, Røwde established Askim Gummivarefabrikk in Askim on 17 January 1920 as a continuation of the earlier business. The company initially concentrated on rubber footwear, including galoshes, but changing consumer tastes in the late 1920s reduced demand for galoshes and encouraged growth in snow socks, sneakers, boots and other rubber and leather products. During the 1930s, the business broadened its manufacturing range to include vehicle tires alongside rubber flooring, stair coverings, hot-water bottles, school backpacks, gloves, camping mats and rubber bands. The factory was destroyed by fire again in 1934 and subsequently rebuilt. With approximately 1,100 employees, the rebuilt operation became one of Norway's larger companies of its period. This broader industrial background helps explain why Viking developed as a rubber-products business before becoming principally identified with tires. Viking achieved a particularly strong position in its domestic market during the 1970s. Following a 1971 reorganization, the company operated under the name Viking-Askim, and its tire business held more than half of the Norwegian tire market according to the brand's historical account. The company later underwent significant structural change. In the mid-1980s, Borregaard became its majority shareholder, the wider Viking group was dissolved, and tire production was separated in 1984 into Viking Dekk. Viking Dekk was acquired by Gislaved, a Swedish tire manufacturer that was then controlled by Nivis Tyre. Continental AG acquired Nivis Tyre and the Viking tire brand between 1990 and 1991. The Askim factory was closed in 1991, marking the end of the brand's historic Norwegian manufacturing base while the brand itself continued under Continental ownership and production arrangements. Viking therefore represents a Norwegian tire marque that became part of a larger international tire group through a sequence of ownership and industrial reorganizations. The brand is associated primarily with passenger-vehicle tires, especially products designed for winter conditions, although its range also includes summer and all-season applications. Its intended market position is generally built around practical safety, traction and suitability for climates with snow and low temperatures rather than around luxury or motorsport specialization. Viking's products are marketed in multiple regions, including Europe and North America, but detailed current product catalogs, corporate leadership information and country-by-country distribution data are not established by the available reference material. The brand's first reported annual sales above one million tires occurred in 2008.

Viking's corporate and brand history reaches back to 1906, when Peter Mathias Røwde founded A/S Viking Gummivarefabrikk. A factory fire in 1913 led to the creation of Askim Gummivarefabrikk in Askim on 17 January 1920. The new operation continued the earlier rubber business and initially produced galoshes and other footwear. As fashion changes reduced galosh demand late in the 1920s, the company increased production of snow socks, sneakers, rubber boots, work boots, leather shoes, hunting shoes and football boots. Vehicle tires became part of a much broader product portfolio during the 1930s. The company also made rubber flooring, stair coverings, hot-water bottles, school bags, gloves, camping mats and rubber bands. A second major fire destroyed the factory in 1934, after which a new plant was built. The rebuilt company employed about 1,100 people and ranked among Norway's larger businesses at the time. In the 1970s, Viking held more than 50 percent of Norway's tire market and was the domestic market leader. A 1971 reorganization resulted in the name Viking-Askim. Ownership and structure changed substantially in the following decade. Borregaard became the majority shareholder in the mid-1980s, the Viking group was dissolved, and tire production was separated into Viking Dekk in 1984. Viking Dekk was acquired by Swedish manufacturer Gislaved, which was controlled by Nivis Tyre. Continental AG acquired Nivis Tyre and the Viking tire brand during 1990 and 1991. The Askim factory closed in 1991, ending the brand's historic Norwegian factory operations. Viking continued as a Continental-owned tire brand, with production and distribution integrated into the larger group's international activities. In 2008, Viking recorded its first year with sales exceeding one million tires. The available sources do not provide a complete account of subsequent product generations, manufacturing locations or executive appointments.

1. 2008Annual sales exceeded one million tires

   Viking recorded its first annual sales volume above one million tires.

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2. 1991Askim factory closed

   After Continental's acquisition of Nivis Tyre and the Viking brand, the historic Askim factory was closed.

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3. 1984Tire production separated into Viking Dekk

   Following ownership changes involving Borregaard, tire production was spun off into a separate company named Viking Dekk.

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4. 1971Reorganization as Viking-Askim

   A corporate reorganization resulted in the Viking-Askim name during a period when the tire business led the Norwegian market.

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5. 1934Askim factory rebuilt after fire

   A factory fire destroyed the plant, which was subsequently rebuilt into a large operation employing approximately 1,100 people.

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6. 1930Expansion into vehicle tires

   During the 1930s, the company added vehicle tires to its diverse rubber and footwear manufacturing activities.

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7. 1920Askim Gummivarefabrikk established

   Peter Mathias Røwde founded Askim Gummivarefabrikk on 17 January as a continuation of the earlier rubber business.

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8. 1913Original factory destroyed by fire

   A factory fire forced the business to reorganize and later continue through a new operation in Askim.

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9. 1906Founding of the Viking rubber business

   Peter Mathias Røwde founded A/S Viking Gummivarefabrikk, establishing the industrial heritage from which the Viking brand developed.

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A practical passenger-tire brand with Norwegian heritage, emphasizing safety, traction and winter-weather performance.

• Winter tiresPassenger-car tires

  Winter tires are the product category most closely associated with Viking's brand positioning and Norwegian heritage. They are intended for passenger vehicles operating in cold conditions, with tread and compound characteristics designed to support traction on snow, ice and wet winter roads. The available reference material does not identify specific current model names or technical specifications.

• All-season tiresPassenger-car tires

  Viking offers all-season passenger-car tires intended to provide a compromise between warm- and cold-weather use. These products serve drivers seeking one tire type for changing conditions rather than a dedicated seasonal replacement cycle. The available sources do not establish the current model range or detailed performance claims.

• Summer tiresPassenger-car tires

  Summer tires form part of Viking's passenger-vehicle offering for warmer-weather driving. They are positioned as a complement to the brand's winter products, supporting year-round coverage across seasonal markets. No specific model names, launch dates or technical data are confirmed in the supplied references.

• 1991Continental acquired the Viking tire brandM&A

  Viking's tire business had passed to Gislaved and then to Nivis Tyre during the industry's consolidation.

  What changed. Continental AG acquired Nivis Tyre and the Viking tire brand between 1990 and 1991.

  Aftermath. The Askim factory closed in 1991, while Viking continued as a Continental-owned brand.

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• 1984Separation of the tire businessStrategy

  The wider Viking group was dissolved after Borregaard became its majority shareholder, and tire manufacturing was separated from the broader rubber-products operation.

  What changed. Tire production was placed in a separate company named Viking Dekk, which was subsequently acquired by Gislaved.

  Aftermath. The restructuring began the sequence of ownership changes that ultimately brought the Viking tire brand into Continental AG.

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1. Viking Tyres
2. Viking Tyres official website