# Jotun Proudly Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary

> From a small chemical factory in Norway in 1926 to a global coatings leader, Jotun marks a century of innovation, growth, and strong corporate values.

Published: 2026-04-17T13:16:00+00:00
Language: en
Categories: [Paints and Coatings](https://chemexworld.com/en/categories/sectors/paints-and-coatings.md), [News](https://chemexworld.com/en/categories/news.md)

Canonical URL:
https://chemexworld.com/en/news/jotun-celebrates-100th-anniversary

## Content

### A Century-Long Journey: From 1926 to the Future

Jotun, one of the world’s leading paint and coatings companies, is celebrating its **100th anniversary** today, marking a significant milestone in its global success story.

The journey began exactly a century ago, on **April 17, 1926**, when founder **Odd Gleditsch Sr.** and his partners signed the official documents to acquire a small chemical factory in Sandefjord, Norway. What started as a modest operation has since evolved into a globally recognized industry leader.

Over the past **100 years**, Jotun has achieved extraordinary growth, driven not only by technological advancement but also by its strong focus on people, a resilient corporate culture, and enduring core values.

This historic milestone reflects both pride in the company’s past achievements and a forward-looking vision for the future.

### Messages from Leadership

On the occasion of this special anniversary, **Chairman of the Board Odd Gleditsch dy** and **President and CEO Morten Fon** shared a joint message celebrating the company’s journey with employees and partners worldwide.

Morten Fon stated:

> “In 2026, Jotun celebrates its 100th anniversary. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our employees, customers, shareholders, and everyone who has been part of this journey. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Chairman on this remarkable milestone.”

Odd Gleditsch dy added:

> “The first 100 years have been an incredible journey, and it would not have been possible without each and every one of you. Thank you all, and congratulations.”

### About Jotun

Founded in Norway in **1926**, Jotun has built over a century of expertise in the global coatings industry. Today, the company operates across multiple segments, including **decorative paints, marine coatings, protective coatings, and powder coatings**.

With innovation and sustainability at its core, Jotun continues to protect and enhance some of the world’s most iconic structures while shaping the future of the coatings industry.

## Source

[Jotun](https://www.jotun.com/ww-en)