In Its 130th Year, Swedish Knifemaker Morakniv Appoints New CEO

March 9, 2021

Mora native Johan Burtus assumes control of the company amidst a milestone anniversary

Mora, Sweden – March 9, 2021 – Morakniv®, creator of quality Swedish knives since 1891, is proud to announce the hire of Johan Burtus as CEO. Born and raised in Vattnäs, Sweden, just outside of Mora in the county of Dalarna, Burtus returns to the area with a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from a career mostly spent abroad.

Burtus has spent a significant part of his career abroad, including placements in Poland, Finland, and China. For several years, he has run his own consulting business and helped clients, mainly in Asia, with issues concerning leadership and team development. He has also run projects to improve turnaround, and has been involved in both the establishment and liquidation of companies and manufacturing units. Burtus comes to Morakniv from a position as CEO of Willab AB, a privately-owned company active in agriculture, animal health, and equestrian sports.

“I am happy for the trust the board shows me, and it will be extremely fun and exciting, but also challenging, to return to Mora to become CEO of Morakniv,” says Burtus. “It has been over two decades since I left Mora to study and pursue a career elsewhere. Now, however, I feel that it is time to return home and give something back to the area where I grew up.”

“With Johan, Morakniv’s journey into the world will continue at an even higher pace than before,” says Pierre Bengtsson, Chairman of the board of Morakniv. Burtus says he is aware of the challenges that lay ahead, but confident in his expertise, which will prove crucial in guiding Morakniv through its 130^th year and beyond. “We have a challenging journey ahead of us, with expectations of continued growth, increased momentum in our international expansion, and sustainable profitability,” Burtus says. “Here I bring important experiences from international trade, streamlining of manufacturing and logistics, as well as brand building and positioning. I also bring with me important lessons from different leadership situations around the world in our quest to be Mora’s most attractive employers.”

Burtus’s roots in Dalarna and his dedication to Mora feel especially fitting as Morakniv celebrates 130 years of knifemaking heritage. Earlier this year, Morakniv announced a limited run of a special anniversary edition of its legendary Mora 2000 knife, which celebrates 30 years in 2021. Each knife in this special collection will be engraved with the years 1891-2021, and will only be produced this year. The first shipments will arrive in the United States later this month.

If you’re interested in carrying the Mora 2000 (S) Anniversary Edition or would like more information, please contact sales@industrialrev.com. For media inquiries, please contact dan@darbycommunications.com

About Morakniv®

Building on more than 400 years of Swedish tradition, Moraknivhas produced knives of unparalleled quality for hunters, adventurers, fishermen, farriers, chefs, craftsmen and other skilled trades and hobbyists since 1891. Thoughtfully designed for precision and power, Morakniv products are still produced in a factory in Mora, Sweden. Morakniv is distributed in the U.S. and Canada by Industrial Revolution, a Seattle-based company that manufactures and distributes products enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. For additional information, visit moraknivusa.com.