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About Us
Kavli was founded in 1893, when Olav Kavli opened a small cheese shop in Bergen, Norway. In 1924, he established his first factory, where he went on to invent the world’s first spreadable cheese — Primula — marking the beginning of an exciting journey of innovation and growth.
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Today, Kavli Holding AS owns and operates food businesses in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the UK. The company employs more than 1,000 people and produces and markets strong brands with annual sales exceeding €400 million. Our most well-known brands include Kavli, Q-Meieriene, Skyr®, Primula, Castle MacLellan, Eriks, and Johnny’s.
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Kavli is driven by a unique purpose: creating value for good causes in a sustainable way. All profits are donated to the Kavli Trust, which supports meaningful and worthwhile initiatives — benefiting society while inspiring proud employees and conscious consumers who want to make a difference.
About Our Owner
Both Kavli’s founder, Olav Kavli, and his son, Knut Kavli, were deeply committed to social responsibility. In 1962, they established the O. Kavli and Knut Kavli Charitable Trust — today known as the Kavli Trust — and made it the sole owner of Kavli Holding. From the very beginning, the Trust’s purpose has been “to promote humanitarian work, scientific research, and culture.”
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Driven by a strong desire to give back to society, Olav Kavli believed that lasting impact requires long‑term business success. This long‑term perspective is safeguarded through ownership by the Kavli Trust.
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In 2021, profits from Kavli Holding enabled the Kavli Trust to distribute €9.5 million to good and deserving causes. The Trust supports a wide range of initiatives, with particular emphasis on two priority areas:
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Child and adolescent mental health
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Climate and the environment
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To learn more about the important work carried out by the Kavli Trust, please visit www.kavlifondet.no