HCA Melbye was founded in 1907 as a trading and industrial company. Today, the company operates as a holding company where all investments are brought together.
HCA Melbye was founded by Hans Christian Axel Melbye in 1907. The company originally started as an agency representing manufacturers of tinplate packaging. Hans Christian Axel Melbye ran the business on his own until 1913, when the company's first employee, Einar Becken, joined the business and became a valuable support. That same year, Melbye also secured two important agencies for overhead line equipment, high-voltage fittings, and electrical insulation materials. These agencies laid the foundation for the businesses that today form part of Melbye Group.
The agency business grew rapidly, and within a short time HCA Melbye expanded into the sale of rubber and electrical products. Later, the company also became involved in plastic and paperboard packaging. Achieving this level of success and remaining resilient through decades of social change and war has been made possible by strong core values and a clear strategy. For Hans Christian Axel Melbye, it was essential to believe in the products the company represented, approach business with enthusiasm, and maintain an honest relationship with customers. The company should work closely with its customers, act professionally, and continually pursue innovation—values that remain at the core of HCA Melbye and its businesses today.
"Golden eggs don't exist, they are created."
Listen to the history of HCA Melbye
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1907-1970
Since its founding in 1907, HCA Melbye has grown continuously. Over the years, the company has secured new agency agreements, expanded its team, and responded to increasing demand and new market opportunities. HCA Melbye began in a small office at Kongens gate 9 and relocated several times to accommodate growth and the need for larger premises.
Throughout its history, HCA Melbye has adapted to changing conditions, expanded, and continuously developed its business. This ongoing evolution has been a defining part of our journey and has helped establish HCA Melbye as a respected company and a successful family business. Through active ownership, we have invested our knowledge, capacity, relationships, and capital over four generations. Over the years, HCA Melbye has acquired, developed, and divested numerous companies through different ownership structures, agency partnerships, and strategic collaborations. This has enabled the company to evolve continuously, expand into new fields, and adapt to changing industries.
Throughout its history, HCA Melbye has adapted to changing conditions, expanded, and continuously developed its business. This ongoing evolution has been a defining part of our journey and has helped establish HCA Melbye as a respected company and a successful family business. Through active ownership, we have invested our knowledge, capacity, relationships, and capital over four generations. Over the years, HCA Melbye has acquired, developed, and divested numerous companies through different ownership structures, agency partnerships, and strategic collaborations. This has enabled the company to evolve continuously, expand into new fields, and adapt to changing industries.
The Beginning
1907
1907
In May 1907, Hans Christian Axel Melbye founded H.C.A. Melbye, securing the agency for Sandvikens Blikvarefabrik. The company began by selling tinplate packaging, automobile tyres, technical rubber products, and tin and lead tubes.
1913
1913
Acquires two significant agencies for overhead line equipment, high-voltage fittings, and electrical insulation materials. These agencies laid the foundation for the businesses that today form part of Melbye Group.
1918
1918
We begin manufacturing cast-iron cable joints.
1927
1927
Arvid R. Melbye joins the company alongside his father, marking the involvement of the second generation in the company's continued development.
1931
1931
Trade debt is converted into shares in Betonmast AS.
1940
1940
Arvid Røgler Melbye, son of Hans Christian Axel Melbye, becomes a partner and co-owner, helping to develop the company's electrical engineering business.
1950
1950
License acquired for the production of connector clamps for distribution systems – Mepro System is established.
1957
1957
Arvid R. Melbye takes over as the company's sole owner.
1962
1962
Hans Christian Aksel, son of Arvid, joins the company, marking the involvement of the third generation in the continued development of the family business.
1967
1967
We introduce Live-Line Working (AUS – Arbeid under spenning) to improve the reliability of the power transmission system.
1970
1970
We introduce glass-fiber and composite insulators.
With Arvid Melbye and Hans Chr. A. Melbye leading the company together, HCA Melbye expanded significantly throughout the 1970s, strengthening its presence in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. One important milestone was the acquisition of Nordisk Redskaps AB in Stockholm in 1975. Following 1990, the company's electronics businesses were divested, including Hefro to Sweden and Klöckner Moeller to Germany. HCA Melbye then sharpened its focus on trading operations, discontinued its own manufacturing, and completed several strategic acquisitions within the industry. During this period, the company also increased its investment in telecommunications, broadband infrastructure, ducts and cable conduit systems, and fibre networks.
From the beginning, our wholly owned subsidiary, Melbye Group, operated as an integrated part of HCA Melbye. In 1987, however, the power business was established as a separate subsidiary under the name Melbye Energi AS, later renamed Melbye Skandinavia AS. In 2022, the operations across the different countries were brought together under the Melbye Group brand, which today includes Melbye Skandinavia Norway, Melbye Skandinavia Sweden, Melbye Ltd, Raycore Taiwan, and Melbye Oy.
From the beginning, our wholly owned subsidiary, Melbye Group, operated as an integrated part of HCA Melbye. In 1987, however, the power business was established as a separate subsidiary under the name Melbye Energi AS, later renamed Melbye Skandinavia AS. In 2022, the operations across the different countries were brought together under the Melbye Group brand, which today includes Melbye Skandinavia Norway, Melbye Skandinavia Sweden, Melbye Ltd, Raycore Taiwan, and Melbye Oy.
1970-2000
The Next Chapter
1972
1972
A new production facility is built, and manufacturing is relocated to Bjørkelangen.
Norgear – Sandefjord Tannhjulfabrikk is acquired.
Norgear – Sandefjord Tannhjulfabrikk is acquired.
1975
1975
Hans Melbye becomes Chief Executive Officer.
We acquire Nordiska Redskap in Stockholm.
We acquire Nordiska Redskap in Stockholm.
1976
1976
We sell Norgear.
1983
1983
HCA Melbye sharpens its focus on its electrical engineering business and discontinues its packaging operations.
1985
1985
HCA Melbye is listed on the stock exchange.
We acquire Klöckner Moeller Norsk AS and Hefro Elektronikk AS.
We acquire Klöckner Moeller Norsk AS and Hefro Elektronikk AS.
1987
1987
We establish the power utility business as a separate company – Melbye Energi AS.
1988
1988
The Melbye family takes the company private.
1990
1990
Hans Melbye becomes the sole owner of HCA Melbye.
1991
1991
The fourth generation - Ida Melbye-Larsen, Axel Melbye, and Bjarne Melbye - gradually joins the ownership of the company.
1992
1992
Betonmast builds the world's longest fjord crossing in Grønland, earning a place in the Guinness World Records. The span measured 5,376 metres.
1993
1993
We introduce fiberglass and composite insulators.
1998
1998
We establish Melbye Sverige AB through the acquisition of a company specializing in cable termination solutions.
1999
1999
We sell Klöckner Moeller Norsk AS to its German principal supplier.
Betonmast AS is split, and HCA Melbye assumes ownership of Betonmast Entreprenør.
Betonmast AS is split, and HCA Melbye assumes ownership of Betonmast Entreprenør.
2000
2000
We sell the production facility in Bjørkelangen and relocate manufacturing to our facilities in Skedsmo.
With Arvid Melbye and Hans Chr. A. Melbye leading the company together, HCA Melbye expanded its operations significantly throughout the 1970s, strengthening its presence in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. One important milestone was the acquisition of Nordiska Redskap AB in Stockholm in 1975. Following 1990, the company's electronics businesses were divested, including Hefro to Sweden and Klöckner Moeller to Germany. HCA Melbye then sharpened its focus on trading operations, discontinued its own manufacturing, and completed a number of acquisitions within the industry. During this period, the company also increased its focus on telecommunications, broadband infrastructure, ducts and cable conduit systems, and fibre networks.
From the beginning, our wholly owned subsidiary, Melbye Group, was an integrated part of HCA Melbye. In 1987, however, the power utility business was established as a separate subsidiary under the name Melbye Energi AS, later renamed Melbye Skandinavia AS. In 2022, the operations across the different countries were brought together under the Melbye Group brand, which today includes Melbye Skandinavia Norway, Melbye Skandinavia Sweden, Melbye Ltd, Raycore Taiwan, and Melbye Oy.
From the beginning, our wholly owned subsidiary, Melbye Group, was an integrated part of HCA Melbye. In 1987, however, the power utility business was established as a separate subsidiary under the name Melbye Energi AS, later renamed Melbye Skandinavia AS. In 2022, the operations across the different countries were brought together under the Melbye Group brand, which today includes Melbye Skandinavia Norway, Melbye Skandinavia Sweden, Melbye Ltd, Raycore Taiwan, and Melbye Oy.
2000 to Present
Diversification
2000
2000
Melbye Energi AS changes its name to Melbye Skandinavia AS.
2001
2001
Melbye Skandinavia acquires QA Produkter in Sweden.
The company increases its focus on telecommunications, broadband infrastructure, ducts and cable conduit systems, and fibre networks.
The company increases its focus on telecommunications, broadband infrastructure, ducts and cable conduit systems, and fibre networks.
2004
2004
We establish Melbye Skandinavia Danmark AS.
2006
2006
We establish Betonmast Bygg.
2007
2007
With the theme "Looking to the Future" HCA Melbye celebrates its first 100 years.
We acquire the Danish company PHI International AS, a leading supplier of fibre solutions with operations in both Denmark and Sweden.
We acquire the Danish company PHI International AS, a leading supplier of fibre solutions with operations in both Denmark and Sweden.
2008
2008
We sell Betonmast's railway business to Strukton.
2011
2011
We sell Betonmast Anlegg to Implenia.
Melbye Skandinavia invests in Canadian composite pole manufacturer RS Technologies Inc.
Melbye Skandinavia invests in Canadian composite pole manufacturer RS Technologies Inc.
2013
2013
Melbye Skandinavia winds down its Danish operations while continuing its presence in Denmark through Melbye Skandinavia Sverige.
We establish Krafthuset Melbye AS together with Finn Lundstedt. The company becomes a leading advisory firm specializing in valuation and transactions within Norway's small-scale hydropower market.
We establish Krafthuset Melbye AS together with Finn Lundstedt. The company becomes a leading advisory firm specializing in valuation and transactions within Norway's small-scale hydropower market.
2014
2014
Melbye Skandinavia acquires Raycore AB and its operations in Taiwan (Fiber to the Home). The acquisition strengthens the company's sourcing capabilities in Asia, enhancing its long-term competitiveness.
2015
2015
Melbye Skandinavia acquires Viking Elektro Group AS.
2016
2016
Betonmast AS is named EY's Entrepreneur of the Year in the Norwegian national finals.
Melbye Skandinavia Sverige AB is recognized as one of Sweden's Super Companies by Veckans Affärer.
Melbye Skandinavia Sverige AB is recognized as one of Sweden's Super Companies by Veckans Affärer.
2017
2017
HCA Melbye celebrates its 110th anniversary under the theme "Golden eggs don't exist, they are created." Today, only 103 companies in Norway have a history as long as - or longer than - ours.
We help establish Cloudberry as a Nordic energy company focused on the development, ownership, and operation of hydropower and wind power assets.
Betonmast AS merges with Hæhre & Isachsen.
We help establish Cloudberry as a Nordic energy company focused on the development, ownership, and operation of hydropower and wind power assets.
Betonmast AS merges with Hæhre & Isachsen.
2018
2018
We sell our ownership stake in Canadian composite pole manufacturer RS Technologies to our Canadian partner while maintaining our agreement to supply composite poles to the Scandinavian market.
2019
2019
HCA Melbye sells its office and warehouse property in Skedsmo, while Melbye Skandinavia continues to use it as its headquarters.
HCA Melbye becomes the largest shareholder in Agaia AS (formerly Steen & Lund AS).
Betonmast and Hæhre & Isachsen separate. HCA Melbye remains a shareholder in both companies.
HCA Melbye becomes the largest shareholder in Agaia AS (formerly Steen & Lund AS).
Betonmast and Hæhre & Isachsen separate. HCA Melbye remains a shareholder in both companies.
2020
2020
Melbye Skandinavia launches its fibre solutions business in the United Kingdom and establishes Melbye Ltd.
2021
2021
Cloudberry Clean Energy is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and completes several equity raises to finance its growth, including a NOK 800 million private placement in September 2022.
HCA Melbye invests in Freber Elektronikk AS.
HCA Melbye invests in Freber Elektronikk AS.
2022
2022
Melbye Skandinavia AS changes its name to Melbye Group, with the subsidiaries Melbye Skandinavia Norge AS, Melbye Skandinavia Sverige AB, Melbye Raycore, and Melbye Ltd.
HCA Melbye invests in Futurehome AS.
HCA Melbye invests in Futurehome AS.
2023
2023
HCA Melbye invests in BOSI – EG.
Melbye Group enters the Finnish market.
Melbye Group enters the Finnish market.
2024
2024
HCA Melbye invests in BOSI.
Melbye Group establishes Melbye Oy.
Melbye Group establishes Melbye Oy.
Contact
Chief Executive Officer
Head of Administration
HCA Melbye AS
