One of the most common questions that employees get about our company is in reference to the name Gunvor: Where did it come from?

Gunvor is actually a feminine name common in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. It derives from the Old Norse name Gunnvör meaning “cautious in war” (gunnr or “war” is combined with vor or “vigilant, cautious”).

Torbjörn originally chose the name for one of  his earlier trading ventures, Gunvor Energy, and decided to keep the name for Gunvor Group. 

“Although we began our operations from a regional European position, the goal was always to create an international trading house,” Torbjörn explained. “So we needed a name that would be easy to pronounce in most languages. It is really as practical as that.”

When asked about rumors whether Gunvor is also his mother’s middle name, he said that “yes, it happens to be a nice coincidence.”