History The manufacture of reeds in Dalarna dates back to the 18th century, and has traditionally been limited to an area in northwestern Mora and southeastern Älvdalen. Agriculture did not provide enough for the family's livelihood, so when the farm lay fallow during the winter, people traveled around the country on sales trips. The reed maker brought materials and the necessary tools in a traditional bentwood box (vävskedsäske) which was placed in a leather bag (bög). Before leaving, the teeth and laths for the reed had been manufactured. The binding and polishing of the reed could then take place during the journeys. After finding lodging at a farm, they immediately began making reeds. After that, sales continued during the days and reed manufacturing in the evenings.

In 1950, the two entrepreneurs Lennart Persson and Yngve Nilsson founded Glimåkra Weaving Loom Factory in Glimåkra, Skåne. In 1975, the company was acquired by the Bonnier Group. With an international group's global network behind it, Glimåkra became a well-known brand for weaving in large parts of the world. Glimåkra looms were sold, and are still sold, across almost the entire world. In the record year of 1980, as many as 12,000 looms were produced at Glimåkra Weaving Loom Factory! In 1999, GAV purchased the loom manufacturing business and the rights to the Glimåkra brand, moving production to its factory in Oxberg, Dalarna. With Glimåkra looms in its product range, GAV became one of the world's most comprehensive manufacturers of weaving equipment of all kinds. GAV manufactures virtually everything a weaver needs at its own factory in Oxberg. In December 2006, the company was sold to Bengt Jonasson and Peo Dungel, both from Värmland, of whom Bengt has many years of experience in industrial woodworking. As of 2016, Bengt Jonasson is the sole owner of the company.