Zwaluw brand
Who in the Netherlands does not know the brand Zwaluw? Zwaluw matches in the famous box is a must-have on the Dutch supermarket shelves. According to many the most beautiful and authentic A-brand of the Netherlands. The history goes back to Sweden, at the end of the 19th century. At that time there were more than 130 match factories throughout Sweden. One was in Uddevalla, which was taken over by Swedish Match around 1960. Today, Swedish Match Swallow Industries AB (SMI) is the only major player within Europe. Over the years, the group also combined numerous importers and local factories outside Sweden, including the Amsterdam importer J.W. Attema & Co. This company introduced Zwaluw, then produced in the Uddevalla Tändsticksfabrik, to the Dutch market in 1895. Attema thus stood at the foundation of a brand that has been available on the Dutch market for 125 years.
Made in Sweden
Sweden is still pre-eminently the country to produce matches. First of all, there is plenty of Aspen (poplar) wood available. This type of wood has ideal characteristics. It does not splinter, is somewhat flexible, does not break easily and is strong. The cool climate is ideal for allowing the matches to cool sufficiently during the process to ensure the desired quality.
Four medals
The four pictorial marks on the side of the Swallow are the medals the Swallow match won for match quality. In the 20th century, when lighters were hardly used, international trade fairs existed for the match industry. Zwaluw won the award four times as the best match on the market and still the quality standard of Zwaluw matches is unsurpassed in terms of safety and environment.
