What Arvid Nordquist does

Arvid Nordquist HAB is a privately held Swedish family company founded in 1884 and now operated by the third generation of the founding family. Headquartered in Järfälla (relocated from Solna in 2025), the company runs a coffee roastery, tea blending, and a multi-category branded goods distribution platform organized into four product areas: coffee and tea (primarily 100% arabica, Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified since 2014, roasted with biogas and packed in plant-based packaging), wine and beer, food and confectionery, and non-food household products. The core technology is industrial-scale coffee roasting supported by sustainability infrastructure (Sweden's first wood-framed, 100% biogas-powered roastery, Miljöbyggnad Silver and ISO 14001 certified), and the proprietary offering includes own-brand sub-lines (AMIGAS, Señoras, Chef's Blend/Espresso co-developed with Svenska Kocklandslaget, Selection series, Wanyama, Kahawa Tembo) alongside distributed international brands (SC Johnson, BlueSun, Dr. Schär, Kikkoman, TABASCO, KWV, Chateau Musar, Nissin Foods, Monin, Kellogg's, Pringles, Sun-Maid, Colman's).

The company makes money through wholesale distribution of own and represented international brands to grocery retail (dagligvaruhandeln) and through B2B Out-of-Home channels covering HoReCa (restaurants, hotels, bars, cafés), Vending (workplace coffee), Office Supply, Travel & Retail (boats, planes, tax-free), and Industry & Production (catering). Its go-to-market is sales-led, executed through retailers, wholesalers, and direct B2B sales teams across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. Customer segments are diversified across consumer retail and multiple enterprise verticals, and the company is sustained by long-term distribution agreements with international brand owners and co-development partnerships (e.g., Svenska Kocklandslaget, Monin, World Coffee Research). No revenue figures or pricing are publicly disclosed; the company operates without external venture or private equity capital and retains family control.

Name

Arvid Nordquist

Legal name

Arvid Nordquist HAB

Website

https://arvidnordquist.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1884

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Arvid Nordquist is a 141-year-old Swedish family-owned coffee roaster and multi-category premium goods distributor, serving grocery retail and B2B HoReCa, vending, office, travel-retail, and catering customers across the Nordic region with own and distributed international brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Coffee Roasting & Consumer Packaged Goods Distribution

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Coffee & Tea (Single-Origin, Micro-lot, Premium) Processing (AFAFADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coffee, Tea & Cocoa Beverage Wholesale (AFAIAGAD), Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes) (THAFADAE)

Keywords

• Coffee roasting
• Tea distribution
• Consumer packaged goods
• Foodservice solutions
• Grocery distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Solna

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution of Branded Products: Distribution of own and represented international brands (coffee, food, non-food, wine & beer) to grocery retail, B2B customers, and out-of-home channels.
2. Out of Home / Foodservice: B2B solutions for Horeca, Vending, Office Supply, Travel & Retail, and Industry & Production sectors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Arvid Nordquist roasts and distributes 100% Arabica coffee, Fairtrade-certified tea, and a curated portfolio of wine & beer, food & confectionery, and non-food products under its own brands and represented international brands. Operations span Swedish grocery retail for everyday consumers and an Out-of-Home B2B channel serving HoReCa, vending, office supply, travel & retail, and industrial catering customers.

Product overview

Arvid Nordquist HAB is a Swedish family company founded in 1884, now in its third generation, operating as a broad portfolio of premium consumer goods brands and distribution business. The offering is organized into four product categories: Coffee & Tea (comprising its own-roasted Arvid Nordquist branded coffee and tea, including specialty lines such as AMIGAS and Señoras sourced from women-led farms, the Chef's Blend/Espresso co-developed with Svenska Kocklandslaget, and espresso variants Nero, Giusto, Buono, and Regalo), Wine & Beer (carefully curated international wines and beers), Food & Confectionery (distributed brands including Kikkoman, Dr. Schär, TABASCO, TFDB, Colman's, Pringles, Kellogg's, and Sun-Maid), and Non-Food (distributed brands including SC Johnson's Duck, Glade, Raid, Autan, Mr. Muscle and BlueSun's Dreft, A+, and Noora). A B2B Out-of-Home channel serves HoReCa, Vending, Office Supply, Travel & Retail, and Industry & Production sectors. The company also operates a recently inaugurated sustainable coffee roastery in Järfälla, Sweden, and runs the Smaka digital lifestyle magazine.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AMIGAS: A dark-roast coffee supporting women coffee farmers, made from organic Arabica beans certified by Fairtrade, EU organic, and KRAV.
• Señoras
• Grown by Women
• Chef's Blend & Chef's Espresso
• Wanyama and Kahawa Tembo
• Selection Series
• Smaka

Products and services

• Arvid Nordquist Coffee
• Arvid Nordquist Tea
• AMIGAS Coffee
• Señoras Coffee Organic Arabica coffee from women-owned farms, certified Fairtrade, EU organic, and KRAV. Targeted specifically at Arvid Nordquist's B2B/Out-of-Home customers.
• Chef's Blend & Chef's Espresso Specialty coffee products co-developed with Svenska Kocklandslaget (the Swedish Chef Team), designed specifically for restaurant, café, and workplace menus. Roasted with biogas. Targeted at foodservice B2B customers.
• Espresso Range (Nero, Giusto, Buono, Regalo) Four espresso variants — Nero (deep and spicy), Giusto (intense and fruity), Buono (round and nutty), and Regalo (fruity and intense) — each offering a distinct flavor profile within Arvid Nordquist's espresso line.
• Scandinavian Tea Range Tea collection featuring Nordic-inspired flavors — Sommarstig, Blåbärssnår, Earl Greys Hage, Skogsglänta, Äppellund, and Lakritstäppa — covering black, green, rooibos, and herbal teas.
• Wine & Beer Portfolio Curated selection of wines and beers from international producers (including Chateau Musar and KWV), with sustainability focus including organic and Fairtrade options. Available across retail and HoReCa channels in Sweden and the Nordic markets.
• Food & Confectionery Distribution Arvid Nordquist's distribution of selected international food and confectionery brands in Sweden and the Nordics, including Kikkoman soy sauces, Dr. Schär gluten-free products, TABASCO hot sauces, Colman's mustards, TFDB condiments, Pringles chips, Kellogg's cereals, and Sun-Maid dried fruits. Served in retail and foodservice.
• Non-Food Distribution Distribution of household cleaning, laundry, and hygiene brands in the Nordic market, including SC Johnson's Duck, Glade, Raid, Autan, and Mr. Muscle, and BlueSun's Dreft, A+, and Noora.
• Out-of-Home B2B Service Channel Arvid Nordquist's dedicated B2B service channel covering HoReCa (restaurants, hotels, bars, cafés), Vending for workplace coffee, Office and building supply, Travel & Retail (boats, airlines, tax-free), and Industry & Production (industrial kitchens, caterers). The company provides sales and marketing support to resellers and wholesalers within these channels.
• Smaka Digital Magazine Digital food and lifestyle magazine published by Arvid Nordquist, featuring recipes, culinary inspiration from leading Swedish chefs, trends, and a wine club. Acts as a brand-supporting content platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% certified coffee since 2014
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Svenska Kocklandslaget (Swedish Chef Team)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Swedish Chef Team to develop Chef's Blend and Chef's Espresso coffee products specifically for professional kitchens. Two unique products were developed together, inspired by the same high standards as culinary creations.
• World Coffee ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArvid Nordquist is Sweden's first member of World Coffee Research, a global research collaboration working to develop coffee varieties more resistant to climate change. The initiative protects coffee farmers' future and ensures sustainable coffee production.
• African Wildlife FoundationminorOthersAnnual donation of $25,000 to African Wildlife Foundation, an organization with over 60 years of experience protecting Africa's wildlife and their habitats. Donations are linked to sales of Wanyama and Kahawa Tembo coffee products.
• Rainforest AlliancecoreOthersSince 2014, all Arvid Nordquist coffee is certified by Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade. Rainforest Alliance certification includes requirements for deforestation prevention, reforestation promotion, agroforestry, collective agreements, and gender equality programs.
• FairtradecoreOthersSince 2014, all Arvid Nordquist coffee is Fairtrade certified. Fairtrade sets minimum prices and extra premiums that are reinvested in local communities, requiring democratic cooperatives, prohibition of child and forced labor, and gender equality work.
• MoninminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Monin for syrup flavors (Ruby Chocolate and Lavender) used in iced coffee recipes developed with the Swedish Chef Team for summer beverage offerings.
• BlueSunminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSince 2016, Arvid Nordquist has been the Nordic distributor of BlueSun's brands Dreft, A+ and Noora, focusing on household cleaning products with sustainability innovations including circular economy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
• Dr. SchärminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArvid Nordquist has handled sales of Dr. Schär's gluten-free and special diet products in Sweden since 2013. Dr. Schär is an international market leader in gluten-free alternatives.
• Chateau MusarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLibanese winery founded in 1930, known for natural wines and Lebanon's first organic certified vineyard (since 2006). Sustainability focus on organic vineyards, biodiversity, optimized energy use, and waste reduction.
• KWVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSouth African wine and spirits producer founded in 1918, one of the world's largest. Sustainability work includes community investment, fair labor practices (WIETA certified), and sustainable agriculture (IPW certified).
• SC JohnsonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArvid Nordquist represents SC Johnson's household brands including Duck, Glade, Raid, Autan, and Mr. Muscle in Sweden. SC Johnson is a family business for five generations committed to making the world better for future generations.
• Nissin FoodsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of the world's largest producers of ramen and soba noodles, with environmental strategy EARTH FOOD CHALLENGE 2030 focusing on climate and natural resource measures. Committed to SBTi 1.5-degree target and RE100 renewable energy initiative.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Löfbergs: Swedish family-owned coffee roaster founded in 1906, directly comparable to Arvid Nordquist in heritage, sustainability commitments (KRAV, Fairtrade), 100% Arabica focus, and broad Nordic distribution across grocery and foodservice channels.
• Peter Larsen Kaffe: Danish family-owned coffee roaster specializing in premium coffee for retail and HoReCa. Comparable as a Nordic specialty coffee rival with similar product breadth and emphasis on certified sustainable sourcing.
• Johan & Nyström: Swedish specialty coffee roaster focused on single-origin and organic coffee for retail and cafés. Closely comparable to Arvid Nordquist's premium/specialty positioning with similar craft-roasting heritage.
• Kaffemanno: Norwegian specialty coffee roaster serving grocery and foodservice with sustainability and craft-roasting emphasis. Comparable as a Nordic specialty-coffee peer expanding across HoReCa and retail channels.
• Orkla: Nordic branded consumer goods company with multi-category food, snacks and household portfolios. Comparable to Arvid Nordquist's brand-portfolio operator model and Nordic foodservice/distribution scale.

Broad incumbents

• Lavazza: Global Italian coffee roaster and incumbent expanding in premium specialty and sustainable coffee segments. Competes with Arvid Nordquist for premium retail and HoReCa contracts across Europe.
• JDE Peet's (Jacobs Douwe Egberts): World's largest pure-play coffee company operating brands including Jacobs, Gevalia, and Douwe Egberts. Competes directly with Arvid Nordquist across Nordic retail shelves and out-of-home channels with vastly greater scale and marketing spend.
• Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group: Global coffee company owning brands such as Segafredo Zanetti and Boncafé with sustainability programs and HoReCa focus. Comparable as a multi-country coffee incumbent competing for premium retailer and foodservice contracts.
• Nestlé (Nescafé / Starbucks at Home): World's largest food and beverage company with the dominant global coffee franchise through Nescafé and a licensed home-consumption Starbucks range. Sets competitive pricing and shelf-space pressure Arvid Nordquist must navigate in Nordic grocery and foodservice.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/arvid_nordquist

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arvid Nordquist