Our history

John Knutson Angvik (1859-1930) and Gurianna Angvik (1866-?) had 14 children, out of which 12 started their own businesses. John and Guriana are the great-great-grandparents of the current owner and operator of Angvik Auto, Kristian Messel Angvik.

John and Guriana's eldest son, Kristian Andreas Johnson Angvik (1881-1951), developed an early interest in cars, despite being born into a car-free Norway. However, this groundbreaking mode of transportation was destined to shape much of his life. He was married to Ildrid Williamsen from Frei, and together they had three children: Johan, Bergliot, and Kristian Messel.

In 1925, Kristian Andreas founded Angvik Automobilselskap with several of his brothers and their sons, each contributing with a 1/8 ownership share. That same year marked the first journey between Angvik and Molde, and in the years that followed, many challenging trips ensued, involving both cargo and passenger traffic on roads that were barely drivable even in the middle of summer.

Photo: Nordmørsmusea

Kristian Andreas took over the entire company, henceforth being recognized in history as the founder of the then Angvik Auto. In the same year, his two sons, Johan and Kristian Messel, joined the operation of the company.

Angvik Auto kjørte i rute mellom Molde og Angvik.

Angvik Auto purchased its first bus and simultaneously joined the Mørelinjen collaboration, initiated by Surnadal Billag. Several bus companies participated in this route, collectively covering the stretch from Trondheim to the three Møre cities: Kristiansund, Molde, and Ålesund.

Mørelinjen was a major success among both tourists and regular travelers. From the 1950s, fixed night routes were operated, and during the summer, extra routes had to be added frequently due to high demand. In addition to the scheduled services in collaboration with Mørelinjen, Angvik Auto also provided school transportation in several villages, along with increasing freight traffic. The ivory-white cars and buses of Angvik Auto became a familiar sight on the roads both in the region and on the Molde-Trondheim route.

At the end of the 1960s, the county initiated a coordination of all bus services in the districts. Many small and medium-sized companies were merged into larger and more efficient entities. In 1975, Angvik Auto merged with Surnadal Billag AS. That same year, they adopted a new name, Mørelinjen AS.

At that time, all the original founders of Angvik Auto had passed away, but Johan's son, Ketil, and Kristian Messel's son, Svein, continued their involvement and were now employees at the new Mørelinjen. Svein (1946-2018) became the freight manager at Mørelinjen's bus station in Molde in 1980. Customers at that time included Oscar Syltes Mineralvannsfabrikk, Vinmonopolet, Glamox, Gjøco, Gartnerhallen, and Midthaug.

Svein eventually transitioned into a position as a transportation consultant for the Bus Station in Molde. From there, he moved to Linjegods' international department. When Autotransit took over Linjegods' international traffic, Svein became the head of the Molde branch. This marked the beginning of his career in the transportation of fruits and vegetables from the continent.

From Autotransit, through Wilh. Wilhelmsen, to Cargo Partner in the 1990s, the operations continued, largely with the same customers and employees. Svein's son, Kristian Messel (1974-), joined Cargo Partner with his father in 1995. Fruits and vegetables accounted for the majority of the turnover, both then and now. Many customers and acquaintances from that time have also remained with the company to this day.

Svein and Kristian resigned from their positions at Linjegods in 2000 when the company merged with Schenker. They decided to start anew, renting offices on the top floor of Moldehallen. They gradually built a strong customer and supplier base, many of whom were individuals they had worked with before. They reclaimed the old and venerable name Angvik Auto.

Svein fell ill in the fall of 2017. The cancer was incurable, and in May 2018, his battle came to an end.

'I remember my father, and I believe this sentiment is shared by most, as a very pleasant and accommodating person. A good colleague and a generous human being, full of good humor and positivity. Thank you for everything you taught me and for all the years we got to work together!' - Kristian