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From Artex heritage to a new Saab chapter
It began with a phone call—and a vision. When Trollhättan’s legendary textile manufacturer Artex moved its operations in mid-2024, a century-old local tradition seemed at risk. Artex, founded in 1928 in Mjölby, had survived the collapse of Sweden’s textile industry in the 1970s and continued to produce everything from car interiors to wardrobes and home furnishings. But as their Trollhättan location closed, a unique opportunity emerged.
Joakim Bratell, a lifelong Saab enthusiast and entrepreneur, saw more than machines and leftover inventory—he saw continuity. Through his company Bratell Harvest & Engine AB, he acquired Artex’s sewing equipment, patterns, leather rolls, and tools. His goal: restart the manufacturing of Saab leather interiors for a passionate global community.
With help from Hedin Parts and Saab’s legacy
The spark for this revival came in part from Hedin Parts, which was searching for authentic leather seat covers for Saab 9-3 Convertibles. These cars, prone to interior wear from sun and rain, needed quality replacements—and there was no better place than Trollhättan to make them.
Hedin helped facilitate the transfer of Artex inventory to Bratell’s company, including industrial sewing machines, original Saab seat patterns, and genuine leather. Now based at a compact but fully equipped workshop in Trestad Center, Joakim and his team are back in production.
Alongside workshop manager Magnus Axelsson, who previously worked with Artex and Lear Seating, Bratell reassembled a dream team. Among them: Eila Lilja, a veteran Saab seamstress with more than 40 years of experience.
Eila Lilja: still stitching after retirement
Though the spotlight now shines on Bratell’s entrepreneurial drive, Eila Lilja’s return from retirement remains an emotional subplot. When Artex closed, she officially stepped away. But when Magnus called, she couldn’t say no. Now she’s passing on her expertise to a new generation, including apprentice Emma Hallgren-Lagerup.
Eila can still complete a full Saab leather interior—two front seats and a rear bench—in just a week. Her attention to detail is legendary. “The stitch must be exactly 0.5mm from the edge,” she says. “Any more, and it shows.” She works entirely by hand, tracing leather with silver markers and cutting each piece manually. The cost of a full set? About 32,000 SEK (~$3,100), depending on model and options.
A future built on precision, passion, and Saab DNA
The workshop may be small, but it’s rich in tools, know-how, and Saab-specific materials. Hooks along the wall store labeled templates for each model, like hook 7:7 for the 9-3 Convertible backrest. Not all original materials are still available, but Joakim is clear with customers: “We’ll do everything we can to match the original. When substitutions are needed, it’s always the client’s choice.”
While current production focuses on 9-3 Convertibles and the 2010–2011 9-5, Joakim plans to expand to other Saab models—and potentially other brands. There’s even talk of sewing boat canopies and camper awnings, depending on demand.
“There are still close to a million Saabs on the road. The interest in keeping them original is enormous, especially across Europe. And I’m a Saab nerd myself—I know this will work.” – Joakim Bratell
A growing operation with room to expand
At the Trestad Center, there’s still space to grow. If demand increases, Bratell won’t hesitate to hire more seamstresses or expand into a larger facility. For now, his focus remains on quality craftsmanship, limited production, and Saab authenticity.
This isn’t mass manufacturing. It’s artisanal. A single front seat may require 10 to 15 distinct leather pieces. Templates, thread, foam, backing—all cut, stitched, and assembled manually.
Eila keeps most patterns memorized. Emma is learning them from the thick binders. “It’s amazing to work under someone who knows the craft so deeply,” Emma says.
Stitching identity back into the seats
While production has resumed, it’s not just about seats—it’s about identity. The feel of a Saab interior is something enthusiasts instantly recognize. With Bratell’s initiative, that feeling won’t be lost to time.
Thanks to one entrepreneur’s vision and a seamstress’s unmatched memory, Saab interiors will continue to live—stitched, panel by panel, in Trollhättan.
