The first start
The foundation of the group of companies, Arctic Group Ltd., was laid when setting up Arctic Import in Greenland in 1978. Our Greenlandic trading company was started on the basis of an increasing need for delivery of products and solutions to tradesmen in Greenland. Early on there was a great demand for Arctic Import’s expertise and within a short period of time the activities increased to such an extent that it was necessary to expand - and at the same time set up a purchasing office in Denmark. From the beginning we placed the Danish office with good access to the Greenland Harbour and Aalborg Airport. In the course of time this office has become our head office. 

Establishing a Tool Centre
In order to service the local tradesmen the best way we established a tool centre in 1985 in Nuuk. Over the years a tremendous development has taken place in the tool centre. Not only have the facilities four doubled in size, but also the demand in Greenland has proved so vast that we also added timber and building materials to our range of goods in 2004. In 2005 we established a pronounced timber trade and building materials centre in the area. 

Specialising
As a natural link in the development in 1991 we established an independent sales department for servicing institutions and hotels. This department has specialized in interior solutions and inventory. In addition to these activities we have established ourselves within wholesale to supermarkets, grocers, and kiosks, so that Arctic Import today is a total supplier to the retail trade in Greenland. In 2001 we opened a wholesale warehouse in Nuuk. From here we ensure continuous deliveries of convenience goods to shops in the capital of Greenland.  

Faroese Subsidiary
On the basis of the expertise and know-how achieved in time servicing remote areas we established permanent representation in 1999 in the Faroe Islands. Subsequently these activities have been transferred to our subsidiary in the Faroe Islands, Blika, in which Arctic Group holds 48% of the shares. 

A Company in Development
Over the last few years Arctic Import has reached a considerable turnover and in 1999 as well as in 2000 and 2001 we have been nominated a Gazella in the analysis of the fastest growing companies carried out by the business newspaper “Børsen”. Furthermore, in 2008 we have also obtained an AAA rating with the denomination “Excellent Credit-Worthiness”. At the end of the 1990es the activities in Arctic Import had become so bulky that we had to move to a neighbourhood address in Nørresundby, where we already in the second half of 2001 carried out the first extension. 

Developing the Group of Companies
In 2007 the company had expanded to such an extent that we decided to split our activities so that tool centre, timber trade, and building materials were separated from Arctic Import and made an independent company. At the same time we joined the XL-BYG chain under the name of XL-BYG Arctic Import. Together the two sales companies Arctic Import and XL-BYG Arctic Import belonged to the Arctic Group, which takes care of the administrative part of the company management, whereas the sales companies keep their focus on sales.

Focus on turnkey solutions

In 2011, a restructuring meant selling of XL-BYG Arctic Import end thereby selling of Timber Trade and parts of Trade & Industry. At the same time, the restructuring meant increased focus and strengthening of the Supply business area where Arctic Import's competences within turnkey deliveries to the ship, mining and offshore industry are at their best. Furthermore, we continue our sole representation with Komatsu, Manitou, Atlas Copco and Excadrill contractors' machines and Trygg chains in the Greenlandic market. Establishing the new business area strengthens Arctic Import as supplier of turnkey solutions as the customer only needs one supplier contact and Arctic Import secures swift, easy and reliable trade.

• 1978: Arctic Import is established in Nuuk on the basis of an increasing demand for import of products to Greenlandic tradesmen
• 1984: An independent purchasing office is established in Denmark. In time this has become our head office
• 1985: Tool centre in Nuuk is built
• 1991: An independent sales department for servicing institutions and hotels is established
• 1999: Permanent representation in the Faroe Islands. Later on the independent subsidiary, Blika, is founded
• 1999: Nominated a Gazella in the business newspaper Børsen’s analysis of the fastest growing companies
• 2000: Nominated a Gazella company 2nd year in a row
• 2001: Wholesale stock set up  in Nuuk
• 2001: Nominated a Gazella company 3rd year in a row
• 2004: Establishing the trading area Timber Trade
• 2005: Establishing Timber Trade and Building Centre in Nuuk
• 2007: Establishing XL-Byg Arctic Import
• 2007: Establishing the group of companies, Arctic Group
• 2008: Take-over of Nørresundby Timber Trading
• 2008: AAA-rating
• 2008: Take-over of Butik Natalie, Nuuk
• 2008: Take-over of Jope Butik and Butik Nivi, Ilulissat
• 2011: Contractors' Equipment is reestablished as Arctic Import business area after selling of XL-BYG Arctic Import