Edwin Viberg: Entrepreneur

Edwin Viberg, by way of survival during the Great Depression, set out to continue his family's long history of Bootmaking by creating Viberg Boot in 1931.

Born in Sweden and raised in the harsh Saskatchewan Prairies, Edwin developed a deep understanding of the value of hard work and outdoor labor.

From a young age, Edwin was encouraged by his father, who served the local community, to learn the skills of leather craft and shoemaking.

Having developed a deep appreciation for the demanding nature of farming, Edwin founded Viberg Boot in 1931 to create a product that would benefit the farming community that had supported his family and provided them with fresh produce during his upbringing.

Edwin embarked on a mission to produce the sturdiest pair of work boots for the local farmers. Given the financial constraints of the Great Depression, he embraced a philosophy centred around creating boots that could be 'bought once' and resoled for many years to come.

This type of construction, along with Edwin's dedication and knowledge to continually improve the durability of his boots, allowed Edwin to transition into producing heavy industrial logging boots.

Driven by an uncompromising commitment to quality and durability, Edwin and his nomadic bootmaking lifestyle packed up his family and machinery and moved out West to apply his knowledge and skills to the industrial loggers of British Columbia.