for the long winter months. The region became a centre for horn working. A manufactory was not yet in sight at that time. After all, agriculture was the main source of income in the region, albeit a rather meagre one. But what to do if you can no longer go out and work in the fields after an accident? For Peter Hustved from Bøvlingbjerg there was only one way: back to the horn. That was in 1931. He started his new business in the hønsehus, the chicken coop. After four years, he dared to start his own factory – Hornvarefabrikken, which now, after almost 100 years, delivers its handmade spoons, forks, napkin rings, orange knives and herring skewers as far as the USA and Japan. But the success curve did not always point upwards. More modern products were in demand, made of plastic or stainless steel. »You must take care of a horn spoon, it’s a lot of work,« says Peder about the development, emphasising that the handmade products are very popular in Germany: »Germany is now the main market. People there love real handicraft made of natural materials.« The company owes its export success to the second generation: Asger and Eva Husted, who developed new business ideas and distribution channels. In addition, there was Eva’s vigilant thriftiness, without which there would be no horn spoons from Bøvlingbjerg today. ANOTHER ACCIDENT FOR SURVIVAL Successors had to be found. Agner Andersen, a carpenter by trade, broke his leg playing football, he was no longer able to climb ladders, and he knew as much about the trade as he did about business. In 1990, Agner took over the business together with his wife Inga. The time of modernisation and expansion began. But at some point, the time had come again. A generational change was to take place, but how? Bøvlingbjerg is not necessarily considered the hub of the world. Who wants to spend his time here working in an ancient craft? THE BUSINESS CONTINUES Sara Brunn Buch had left her hometown a long time ago, but why not return? As a designer and artisan, she could easily work from here. A change came just in time for the family. After a few trial jobs, she got the contract. Now, Sara runs the business together with her husband Peder and has added her own line to the old: jewellery from modest items to eye-catching designs, from simple men’s bracelets to multi-row necklaces. The products are highly sought after. Hornvarefabrikken now also offers its cow horn products in six of its own shops. The horn, however, does not come from Denmark. Danish cows graze hornless on the pastures. It comes from Sweden and from Nigeria, where the cows wear particularly imposing headdresses that can even be used to shape large salad servers. The horn from Nigeria is a waste product. If it were not shipped to the north of Denmark, the only option would be to burn it. So the horn is hollowed out on site, cleaned and examined by a vet before it starts its journey to the North Sea coast of Jutland. WWW.HORNVAREFABRIKKEN.COM read more 62
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