J. Hvidtved Larsen A/S was founded as a traditional forging shop in Silkeborg in 1915 by Jakob Hvidtved Larsen. The company rapidly evolved and directed the business towards production more than repairs. As sub-supplier to large Danish manufacturers, J. Hvidtved Larsen A/S achieved recognition for good craftsmanship of the highest quality.
  

With production of anything from roof constructions, bascules, cranes and even machines for labelling notes, the inquiry for manufacturing the first sewer cleaning vehicle was also received as an interesting challenge.

Manufactured in 1956, this first sewer cleaning vehicle mounted on a trailer for a tractor was the simple start of the company’s largest expansion since the beginning in 1915. The sewer cleaning vehicles became the fastest growing niche production, and when Søren Hvidtved Larsen, third generation of the family business, converted the company into a joint-stock company in 1996, the management chose to concentrate 100% on the production of sewer cleaning vehicles and gradually phase out the sub-supplier tasks.

This strategic decision has turned out to be correct. J. Hvidtved Larsen A/S has manufactured more than 1500 sewer cleaning vehicles (1956-2008), of which over half have been delivered to Danish customers. The export of JHL sewer cleaning vehicles has, however, accelerated rapidly over the past 10 years as the environmental consciousness has made its entry all over the world. Today we export more than 70% of the output.