Established in 1981
Founder Jan Reinertsen went to teacher training in Bergen and worked his first years as a teacher. In addition to this, he worked on a hobby basis sewing equipment for dogs. His knowledge and interest in animals and sewing gradually led to increasing inquiries from people who needed solid equipment.

Chose to bet
Eventually this became so time consuming that there was less time to prepare for the school day. Thus, it was time to make the decision – teaching job or turning the hobby into a profession. The result was a year’s leave from the schoolroom and the Seleverkstedet was established in the old workshop at the school. The place was Brunlanes near Larvik and the year was 1981. Alfa Skofabrikk leased half of Seleverkstedet’s production of ordinary dog equipment in the years from 1995 to 2000.

Purchased by Fjellpulken AS
The harness workshop was located at Harestua until Fjellpulken AS bought the company in 2019. The solid expertise in sewing, materials and ergonomics that has given Seleverkstedet its reputation was crucial for this consolidation. Jan Reinertsen currently works as a quality consultant and lecturer for the Seleverkstedet brand.

The dog sledding association
In 1994, Jan was associated with the Norwegian Dog Riders Association’s development group and then started as the first with heart rate measurement of dogs at work. Since then, there has been heart rate measurement of dogs and horses in all life situations, as well as participation in research and support for master’s theses with heart rate measurement of reindeer, horses, cows and sheep.

Featuring in big movies
Jan Reinertsen and Seleverkstedet produced the equipment that can be seen in the films “Tashunga” and “Kjærlighetens kjøtere” .

Harness for expeditions and dog sledding
The harness workshop has produced high quality dog equipment for use with dogs across the Greenland ice sheet, to the South and North Poles, from Norway through Siberia to Japan, to Franz Josef Land, through Alaska with Roger Leegaard, Sven Engholm, Carsten Blom Ruud, Kjetil Backen and Robert Sørlie.

To the Olympic summit
Jan Reinertsen and Katja Petrell have held courses for the national team in dog sledding with a focus on injuries and preventive work and training.