Nearly 170 years of experience & innovations
History
Curiosity, persistance, nose for business and a genuine interest in solving everyday problems in smarter ways is Kährs' hallmark and has been so throughout history.
In many ways we are still driven by the same incentives today, transformed to large scale strategies and with our focus solely on putting smarter flooring solutions on the market.
Kährs was founded in Sweden
Swedish Johan Kähr Sr founded a small turning shop, making household utencils of wood.
1941
The multi-layer parquet was invented
Gustaf Kähr, grandson of the founder - was dedicated to find efficient ways of using the wood raw material & improving its stability as building material.
He worked to solve the problem of gapping, twisting and cupping of wood floors. In 1941 Kährs was awarded a patent for the multi-layer floor, today's modern engineered hardwood floor.
1955
Upofloor was founded, producing resilient flooring
Manufacturing of resilient coverings begins in Nokia. Production expands in 1960s to include public spaces' resilient mats and flexible vinyl mats.
1981
Karelia Parketti was founded
Karelia Parketti begins from Parkettiliike Väänänen Oy, founded by Heikki Väänänen to engage in hardwood flooring installation, wholesale and imports.
1992
Own wood floor production of Karelia brand begins
Tuupovaara hardwood flooring factory acquired by Karelia Parketti Oy. Production of hardwood flooring with Karelia trademark begins in 1992.
2000
- Woodloc® worlds’ first glue-less locking system on wood flooring
- Karelia & Upofloor merged
Kährs introduced the world’s first wood floor with a glueless Woodloc® joint - today referred to as Click-flooring. The technology was revolutionary, resulting in faster installation and giving perfect results, as well as eliminating gapping between the boards, caused by indoor climate-changes.
2004
World’s first PVC-free resilient flooring launched
Upofloor became a pioneer in PVC-free floorings with the introduction of safe and environmentally preferable, durable products for areas with heavy wear. The flooring material Enomer® was invented.
2012
Kährs & Karelia-Upofloor merged, creating Kährs Group, a world-leading flooring company
Creating a leading flooring company with offering in both residential and commercial flooring - already at that time with a strong offering targeting healthcare and education with Upofloor PVC-free resilient products.
2019
Kährs becomes full range flooring supplier adding Kährs Luxury Tiles
Through the acquisition of Ehrenborg (2018), Kährs Group strengthens its sales and distribution to customers in commercial projects and broadens its product portfolio with new products in project sales as Luxury Vinyl Tiles. In 2019 LVT is integrated into the Kährs offering. kommersiellt bruk under varumärket Kährs.
2021
Introducing Kährs Life, a new generation durable wood flooring
Real wooden floors with properties that are close to those of durable vinyl floors. Kährs Life veneer flooring combines the best of two worlds where the beauty of the wood meets the practical properties of a vinyl floor in a perfect balance of aesthetic and the practical. With excellent wear and impact resistance Kährs Life is designed to last - even in commercial use.
2024
Kährs Infinity launched
The Enomer family is expanded with a new PVC-free option for hardwearing premises. With excellent performance and sustainability properties, made from 50-90% recycled material.
2025
Kährs Life Authentic
A new chapter of Kährs Life. Real wood flooring that’s durable, practical, and ideal for renovation - now with elevated design and an enhanced wood feel, offering a wider range of options to express individual style and taste.