Our history
For half a century, Nordisk have been developing and producing air cargo pallets and containers for the global market. Based in the seaside town of Holmestrand, Norway, it was a brave decision and a major goal developing the know-how and resources to construct and efficiently produce state-of-the-art air cargo containers and pallets. However, Nordisk's history goes back further than that.
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Nordisk Aluminiumindustri
In 1917 Norsk Aluminium Compani (NACO), a manufacturer of primary aluminium in Hoyanger, founded Nordisk Aluminiumindustri in Holmestrand to help promote and increase the area of application for aluminium. In USA and Canada aluminium had already become popular in domestic utensils and for the military market. During the next 50 years, Nordisk Aluminiumindustri developed and manufactured a wide variety of aluminium products; from large industrial tanks, alloy wheels and other car body parts, tubes, cooking utensils, cans for tinned food, fan housing for electric locomotive etc.
Nordisk Aluminiumindustri expanded rapidly in Holmestrand. Both hot- and cold-rolling mills were built up as well as a new foundry. By 1963 the rolling mill had become one of the most technologically advanced mills in the world with top competence in anodizing of aluminium.
The introduction of air cargo containers
In 1969 Mr Magnar Henriksen, a Bachelor of Commerce with several years experience from SAS, was employed by Nordisk Aluminiumindustri and given transportation as focus area. Based on his experience from aviation, Mr. Henriksen soon saw air cargo equipment as an interesting market, and soon, Mr Henriksen and his team were given the go-ahead by the Directors of Nordisk to develop and produce ULDs in Holmestrand.The first AKE (LD3) container certified by Nordisk heafty container that weighed 135 kg or 298 lbs. As you can see from the picture, the container had 4 stiffeners on lower outboard. With the development of new and better aluminium alloys, more advanced manufacturing equipment and decades of experience in lightweight deisgns, Nordisk gradually reduced the AKE tare weight to the today's Ultralite at 55kg (121 lbs).
Nordisk Aviation Products has been at the forefront in the design, development, and manufacturing of air cargo containers for more than 40 years. For example, it was Nordisk who in 1975 invented the world's first hollow edge pallets - an industry breakthrough in weight reduction. Once again in 1983, Nordisk, together with British Airways, increased usable lower deck volumes with the world's first full width lower deck container.
In the following decade Nordisk developed a wide range of air cargo containers and pallets for civil aviation, and after 50 years we have produced and delivered close to 1 million ULDs.
Read more about the History of Nordisk Aviation here
In late 2023 Nordisk Aviation became partners with AmSafe Bridport, a partnership formed to bring their combined expertise in fire safety and cargo restraint solutions together.
Amsafe Bridport and Nordisk Aviation stand Amsafe Bridport and Nordisk Aviation stand AmSafe Bridport is a world leader in aerospace & defence safety and cargo restraint products. AmSafe Bridport’s engineered textile restraint and protection solutions provide highly engineered cargo restraint barriers and MANTLE® fire protection products ensure a safer aircraft environment. They are first tier suppliers to major aircraft manufacturers with over 40 years of experience, offering a complete engineered solution from concept and design through to manufacture and testing. Providing 24/7 AOG and aftermarket spares support. Operating from headquarters in Bridport, UK and with further facilities across the US and Asia to provide a truly global service.