Målerås Glasbruk

AB Målerås Glasbruk was formed in 1924 in Sweden’s Småland district, initially specialising in art glass and tableware.

Folke Walwing joined the company in 1924 and worked his way to becoming the chief designer and art director by the 1950s. During his tenure, he designed numerous types of cut, engraved, and pressed glass, including the ‘Nebula’ range in the 1960s. He retired in 1970.

Mats Jonasson joined Målerås as an apprentice engraver in 1959 and left to join Kosta in 1969. He then returned in 1975 as a designer.

In 1959, the nearby Flygsfors glassworks was acquired by the Gadderås factory, who then purchased Målerås in 1965 and formed the Flygsfors Group. Gadderås closed not long after the merger, and Målerås was sold to Krona-Bruken AB (Royal Krona) in 1974. This group was now made up of five Smålands glassworks – Åseda, Björkshult, Gullaskruf, Målerås, and Skruf.

Despite initial success, with input from ceramic designers Lisa Larsson and Marianne Westman, Royal Krona went bankrupt in 1977 and Målerås was acquired by Kosta Boda. By 1980 the company was threatened with closure so Mats Jonasson, along with other employees and villagers, bought the company.

With Jonasson as art director, the company thrived by producing his moulded and engraved crystal sculptures. In 1988, Jonasson acquired enough shares to become the majority shareholder, which prevented a takeover bid from Orrefors. Since this time he has been both the managing director and the chief designer.

Målerås Glasbruk is thriving today, and Mats Jonasson is still at the helm.