The roots of Samhentir date to the firm Samhentir Kassagerð ehf., which was founded in 1996. Originally concentrating on the manufacture of giant crates, the company soon also began importing a large variety of paper packages, boxes, and cartons, including cartons for frozen fish. These developments were introduced because of market demand for a broader selection of the company’s goods. The founders were Bjarni Hrafnsson and two partners who soon moved on to other occupations, but in the following years, the company was to grow by leaps and bounds.
In 2002 the companies Innís ehf. and G. S. Maríasson merged with Samhentir. The Innís merger was accompanied by an increased emphasis on plastic products, and that with G.S.M. by packing machines and tape products.
In 2004, Samhentir purchased shares in the English firm Tri-Pack Ltd., a manufacturing company which specialises in polypropylene boxes and holds a patent on CoolSeal packaging. Today, Samhentir is a 50% shareholder in Tri-Pack Plastics.
In 2007, Samhentir purchased Valdimar Gíslason (VGÍ ehf.). This Samhentir acquisition marked a sizable expansion, adding to our selection such articles as tools, spices and mixes, as well as equipment for the meat industry. Since 2007, Samhentir also stocks and handles all of the labelled packaging which is used domestically by Icelandic Group.
The same year, Samhentir's owners purchased a 50% share of the Faeroe Islands company Vest Pack. This development greatly furthered Samhentir’s connections in the Nordic countries, both with suppliers and customers.
In February 2009 Samhentir moved into its new facilities at Suðurhraun 4, Garðabær, Iceland, thereby uniting its activities at one headquarters.
Over these 15 years the corporation has grown from a tiny start-up business into the largest packaging services company in Iceland. The key to this progress lies in our good connections with customers and suppliers, as well as our unending emphasis on quality and innovation.
