Jordan A/S

Jordan A/S is a Norwegian manufacturing company headquartered in Oslo and best known for oral-care products, particularly toothbrushes and related dental-hygiene items. Its history began in 1837, when Danish immigrant Wilhelm Jordan established the business in Oslo under the name W. Jordan Börste & Penselfabrik. The company initially made combs and later broadened its manufacturing activities into brushes, creating the industrial foundation for the Jordan name. Jordan entered toothbrush manufacturing in 1927. Toothbrushes eventually became the company’s central consumer-facing business, and from 1960 the company placed greater emphasis on international exports. This export-oriented development helped transform Jordan from a Norwegian brush manufacturer into a multinational producer and distributor of dental-hygiene goods. Its portfolio has included toothbrushes and other oral-care products, while the broader manufacturing business has also covered painting brushes and cleaning brushes. The company expanded into toothpick production in 1966. This became an important part of its manufacturing base, particularly after the development of additional production capacity outside Oslo. Jordan opened a factory at Flisa in 1969. The original Oslo production facility was later closed in 2000, and toothbrush production was transferred from Flisa to England in 2002. Flisa continued to manufacture toothpicks and cleaning equipment, preserving a Norwegian production presence while the company reorganized its manufacturing footprint. Jordan also expanded through corporate acquisitions. In 1987 it acquired or brought under its control Peri-dent, a producer of dental floss, strengthening the company’s position in oral hygiene beyond toothbrushes. Over time, production and sales operations were organized through subsidiaries and associated companies in countries including India, China, and Malaysia. This structure supported both manufacturing and international distribution. In 2012 Jordan was acquired by the Orkla Group. Under Orkla ownership, Jordan became part of a larger Nordic branded-consumer-products group while retaining its identity as an oral-care and brush-products business. The Jordan brand is therefore associated with a combination of heritage manufacturing, mass-market dental hygiene, toothpicks, and selected technical brush categories. Publicly available reference material does not provide sufficient detail to establish a complete current product range, executive roster, financial profile, or country-by-country sales footprint.

Jordan traces its origins to 1837 in Oslo, Norway, where Danish immigrant Wilhelm Jordan founded W. Jordan Börste & Penselfabrik. The early business manufactured combs and subsequently expanded into brushes. This progression established the company as a diversified brush producer before it entered the oral-care market. A major change came in 1927, when Jordan began manufacturing toothbrushes. Toothbrush production eventually became the company’s most recognizable activity and provided the basis for its later international development. From 1960 onward, Jordan increased its emphasis on exports, moving beyond its original Norwegian market and building an international commercial presence. Jordan broadened its product base again in 1966 with the introduction of toothpick production. In 1969 it opened an additional factory at Flisa, Norway. The company maintained production in Oslo for many years, but the Oslo factory closed in 2000 as the manufacturing network was reorganized. Toothbrush production was subsequently moved from Flisa to England in 2002. The Flisa site continued to produce toothpicks and cleaning equipment. The company also developed through acquisitions and international subsidiaries. In 1987 Jordan acquired Peri-dent, a dental-floss producer, adding another oral-hygiene category to its portfolio. Its manufacturing and commercial activities later extended through daughter companies or controlled operations in India, China, and Malaysia, including a sales company in Malaysia. Jordan’s activities were not limited to dental products: painting brushes, cleaning brushes, and related cleaning equipment remained part of the wider business. In 2012 Orkla Group acquired Jordan. The transaction placed the long-established Norwegian company within one of the region’s larger branded consumer-goods groups. Jordan continued to be identified with toothbrushes and other dental-hygiene products, while its historical brush and toothpick manufacturing activities remained part of the company’s broader industrial heritage. Available reference material does not document all subsequent organizational changes, current executives, detailed financial results, or the full contemporary geographic scope of the business.

1. 2012Acquired by Orkla

   Jordan became part of the Orkla Group through an acquisition.

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2. 2002Toothbrush production moved to England

   Toothbrush manufacturing was transferred from the Flisa operation to England, while Flisa continued making toothpicks and cleaning equipment.

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3. 2000Oslo factory closed

   The company closed its original Oslo production facility as its manufacturing structure changed.

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4. 1987Peri-dent acquisition

   Jordan acquired Peri-dent, a dental-floss producer, broadening its oral-care portfolio.

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5. 1969Flisa factory opened

   Jordan opened an additional production facility at Flisa in Norway.

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6. 1966Toothpick production introduced

   Jordan expanded beyond brushes and toothbrushes by beginning toothpick production.

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7. 1960Greater emphasis on exports

   The company increased its focus on international export markets.

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8. 1927Entry into toothbrush manufacturing

   Jordan began producing toothbrushes, establishing the product category that would become central to the brand.

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9. 1837Company established in Oslo

   Wilhelm Jordan founded W. Jordan Börste & Penselfabrik in Oslo, initially producing combs and later expanding into brushes.

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A heritage Norwegian brush manufacturer with a consumer-facing focus on everyday oral hygiene, supported by toothpick production and additional brush and cleaning-equipment businesses.

• Jordan toothbrushesOral care1927

  Toothbrushes are Jordan’s principal consumer product category and the basis of the company’s international brand recognition. The company entered toothbrush manufacturing in 1927 and later increased its export orientation. Production was historically conducted in Norway before toothbrush manufacturing was moved from Flisa to England in 2002.

• Jordan dental-hygiene productsOral care

  Jordan’s oral-care portfolio extends beyond toothbrushes to dental-hygiene products associated with everyday personal care. The acquisition of Peri-dent in 1987 added dental floss to the company’s historical product scope. The available references do not provide a complete current catalogue of oral-care items.

• Jordan toothpicksOral and personal care accessories1966

  Jordan began producing toothpicks in 1966. Toothpick manufacturing became associated with the Flisa facility, which continued this activity after toothbrush production moved to England. The product line reflects Jordan’s historical expansion from brushes into adjacent everyday-use hygiene products.

• Painting brushesBrushes

  Painting brushes form part of Jordan’s broader manufacturing heritage. The company originally developed as a brush producer before toothbrushes became its most recognizable consumer category. Public reference material confirms the category but does not specify the current range, brands, or distribution channels.

• Cleaning brushes and equipmentCleaning products

  Jordan has also produced cleaning brushes and cleaning equipment. The Flisa facility continued to manufacture cleaning equipment after the transfer of toothbrush production. The available sources do not establish the complete contemporary product assortment or its current sales status.

• 2012Acquisition by Orkla GroupM&A

  Jordan became part of a larger Nordic branded-consumer-products group.

  What changed. Orkla Group acquired Jordan.

  Aftermath. Jordan continued within Orkla’s portfolio as a company associated with oral care, toothpicks, and brush-related products. The available source does not disclose transaction terms.

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• 2002Transfer of toothbrush manufacturing to EnglandStrategy

  Following the closure of the Oslo factory and a broader manufacturing reorganization, Jordan adjusted the location of toothbrush production.

  What changed. Toothbrush production was moved from Flisa to England.

  Aftermath. Flisa continued producing toothpicks and cleaning equipment, while toothbrush manufacturing became located outside Norway.

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• 2000Closure of the Oslo factoryStrategy

  Jordan reorganized its production footprint after maintaining manufacturing in Oslo since the company’s early history.

  What changed. The original Oslo factory was closed.

  Aftermath. Manufacturing continued elsewhere in the network, with Flisa retaining toothpick and cleaning-equipment production and toothbrush production later moving to England.

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• 1987Acquisition of Peri-dentM&A

  Jordan sought to expand its dental-hygiene activities beyond toothbrushes and related brush products.

  What changed. The company acquired Peri-dent, a producer of dental floss.

  Aftermath. The transaction broadened Jordan’s historical oral-care portfolio, although the available reference does not provide financial terms or detailed integration results.

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1. Jordan (dental company)
2. Jordan Oral Care official website