The story of Texcon

The story of Texcon began long before the internet and streetwear, but the name Texcon itself is fairly recent – established in 2007 when Tekstilkjeden and Herrcon merged.

The roots of what is today Texcon go back to visionary fashion merchants across Norway who dared to take risks and face challenges together to secure stronger results for their businesses. Along the way, they built not only commercial success but also friendship, solidarity and values – values which remain at the heart of Texcon today.

It all started in Southern Norway

Anyone familiar with Norwegian history knows that bringing several “local kings” together under one roof is never simple. The Texcon story is no exception.

The origins of Texcon trace back to 1962 – a time when words like merchant and disponent still belonged to everyday vocabulary, and menswear dominated the textile trade.

The initiative came from a group of retailers in Kristiansand who quickly saw the benefits of joining forces in purchasing, challenging the power balance where brands held most of the control. In 1962 four merchants sat down for a conversation that became an agreement.

The four founders – Asbjørn Reinertsen, Kristoffer Onarheim, Karsten Johannessen and Øystein Pettersen – together acquired the small wholesale firm Knut Hagen & Co.

From business to friendship

The collaboration soon proved successful. From four partners in 1962, membership grew to thirteen by 1966.

That March, while Europe debated whether the controversial miniskirt should be 12 or 7 centimetres above the knee, thirteen Norwegian retailers sat around a long table in Kristiansand to plan their common future.

They decided to form a purchasing alliance headquartered in Kristiansand – challenging the strong position of fashion brands, negotiating agreements and securing prices that would benefit their own members.

Equally important, they built trust, solidarity and friendship. Being an independent fashion retailer in the 1960s and 70s could be a lonely job. The network gave members the opportunity to share experience, tackle challenges together, and build safer frameworks for their businesses.

Early supplier partners included Salhus Tricotagefabrik in Bergen (knitwear) and Nordisk Hattefabrikk (hats) – respected Nordic producers of the time.

Herrcon is born

In March 1968 Knut Hagen & Co was transformed into a limited company. Membership had grown to fifteen, and each partner purchased one share of NOK 1,000.

By 1972, renewal was needed – and AS Herrcon was born.

With more members and bigger ambitions came the need for professional leadership. In May 1973, the same year as the world’s first mobile phone call in New York, Kjell Molstad became the first director of Herrcon. A sharp salesman and businessman, he gave the group formal structure, focusing on purchasing agreements and bringing both national and international fashion brands into the network.

Buying fairs and Caledonien dinners

1972 and 1973 also marked the beginning of Herrcon’s first trade fairs, held at the stylish Caledonien Hotel in Kristiansand.

These buying fairs showcased invited brands and collections, selected by Herrcon’s “product council” – a group of 4–5 members. The first fair in 1972 gathered 25 suppliers. The fairs were staged twice a year, in January and August, and all members could participate.

The Caledonien fairs continued until 1986, when the hotel tragically burned down.

Moving to Oslo – closer to fashion’s capital

Since Molstad’s appointment in 1973, the location of Herrcon’s head office had been an ongoing debate. Oslo was emerging as the national fashion capital, with designers such as William Duborgh Jensen and Kjell Torheim shaping the scene.

On 7 June 1978 the general assembly decided to move Herrcon’s headquarters to Waldemar Thranes gate at St. Hanshaugen, Oslo. At the same time a new director, Steinar Johansen, joined from competitor Samtex (now Voice of Europe).

Johansen focused strategically on expanding the trade fairs, moving them from Kristiansand to Exporama in Sandvika and later to Bolkesjø Hotel in Telemark.

The Bolkesjø fairs quickly became a success for both buyers and brands. Herrcon study trips abroad – to Wrangler in Scotland or Levi’s in San Francisco – became legendary, with 30–40 members travelling together. These journeys created bonds and friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Merger with Tekstilkjeden – the birth of Texcon

By 1994 Herrcon was growing but needed stronger resources. Tekstilkjeden offered the perfect match: Herrcon had strength in menswear, Tekstilkjeden in women’s and childrenswear. Both had similar member profiles, operating models and challenges.

In 2018, Thomas Vethe took up the position as Managing Director, with the vision “Texcon – dressed for the future”. He came from Onninen AS where he had been Sales Director, and his task was to build further on the solid foundation – as well as to introduce more systematics for agreements covering everything from lighting and telephony to technology, interiors and digital marketing.