J. Hvidtved Larsen 

The story of
J. Hvidtved Larsen

What started over 100 years ago as a small blacksmith’s shop was in Denmark, was built over generations to a global manufacturer of sewer cleaning equipment. Founded in 1915 and named after its founder, Jacob Hvidtved Larsen, J. Hvidtved Larsen earned recognition for its craftsmanship and high quality for more than 100 years. In the first few years, J. Hvidtved Larsen focused primarily on machinery repairs, however, as time went by the number of customers grew and projects changed its format. In the 1930s-1940s, J. Hvidtved Larsen was a key supplier to several national institutions in Denmark - including FLSmidth and Danish Railroad Services - supplying solid iron structures used in building leisure centres, bridges, and ferry docks.

Until 1955, J. Hvidtved Larsen completed many different projects. In 1955, a Danish contractor requested a truck-mounted vacuum solution for cleaning drains. In 1956, the company's first vacuum equipment was delivered. During the 1960s, demand grew and the production gradually turned into focusing more on the development, engineering, and production of sewer cleaning equipment. As large municipalities and private contractors placed orders for vacuum equipment, but at the same time asked for truck-mounted equipment capable of vacuum cleaning and high-pressure jetting simultaneously, J. Hvidtved Larsen found its place in the market. To this day, these municipalities and private contractors remain customers with Bucher Municipal. 

Sewer cleaners prosper

In the 1970s and 1980s, sewer cleaning equipment became a critical part of the business. During this period, J. Hvidtved Larsen invested heavily in the production, innovation, and engineering of sewer cleaning equipment focusing on new technologies that would enable the customers to drive better businesses. Among others, J. Hvidtved Larsen introduced the industry's first full-combination unit: A concept that today is known as the FlexLine®. Later, the moveable partition was introduced and soon thereafter, in 1985, the world's first water recycling equipment, the RECycler®, was introduced to the market. Since then, the concepts have been perfected and new generations introduced while staying true to the original concept: Offer what is best for the customer. 

North America and Bucher Municipal

In the '00s the export adventure really took off. Up to two-thirds of J. Hvidtved Larsen's total production of sewer cleaners crossed over Denmark's borders with Europe, but also Australia, New Zealand, and North America as the final destination. In 2012, the RECycler® for North America was launched, marking the entry of European technology alongside the concept of water recycling just as the lack of water clan water hid the headlines.  

In 2016, J. Hvidtved Larsen became a part of Bucher Municipal and the Swiss technology group's municipal fleet program. Building on more than 100 years of history, J. Hvidtved Larsen is a proud member of Bucher Municipal in offering customers the best tools available in securing a sustainable, clean and safe city.