It all started when Isaksen himself needed a new trailer.
– I was going to buy a trailer or two to transport around the snowmobile I had for hire. At the time, I called the importer to get a good offer, as there wasn’t a dealer nearby that sold the type I wanted, says Isaksen.
He had a telephone conversation with the importer for the trailer brand 4P. The importer’s experience was that it took an average of 15 minutes from the time the customer walked in the door until a trailer was sold. He also believed that most of the trailers would have been sold even before they were delivered in Harstad.
TRAILER: The trailer adventure started at Isaksen’s home in the garden in Natthusveien.
Photo: Private
– I thought I could do this, and ordered six trailers. I told this to my roommate Anita, who pointed out that the importer had managed to sell me six trailers in a 30-minute phone call, Isaksen says with a chuckle.
SELLERS: Patrik Knoph Isaksen and Thomas Knoph Isaksen manage the trailer shop in Sørvik.
Photo: Morten Hagen
The boys run the shop
The plan was to sell a little to famous people, and otherwise run a little as a mail-order dealer. After a short time, six more trailers were ordered, and thus the garden was full. Thus, the trailer company Free2move was a fact.
– In 2019 we needed more space, and bought the old shop in Sørvika. My two sons run the shop, says father Isaksen.
Thomas Knoph Isaksen is sales manager, and Patrik Knoph Isaksen is sales and marketing manager. In addition, the company has subcontractors in northern Norway, as well as its own workshop in Sørvik.
It started quietly in 2017, they sold five trailers, and in 2019 around 60 trailers.
– In recent years, we have sold over 200 trailers annually, and had a turnover of around NOK 18 million last year, says Knoph Isaksen.
Their sales area is from Saltfjellet in the south to Kirkenes. Last month they sold one trailer to Svalbard.
LARGE STOCK: Patrik and Thomas have around 130 different trailers in stock.
Photo: Morten Hagen
Largest in Northern Norway
To avoid high shipping costs, the entire trailer load is ordered, at any given time Free2move has around 130 different trailers in stock.
– The most popular trailer types are cupboard trailers, car trailers and scooter trailers, says Knoph Isaksen.
During the season, there is a weekly delivery from one of the eight trailer manufacturers for which Free2move is a dealer.
– We often hear from our customers that Sørvik has become the fan’s Mecca. With over 450 varieties to choose from, it’s no wonder, he says.
70 percent of the customers are corporate customers.
Recently we had a customer from a little south in Nordland who had driven for hours to look at a new trailer. For two hours, the person in question walked around to look at trailers, he says.
Geir Isaksen wants to upgrade the area around the store in Sørvik.
Photo: Morten Hagen
Positive plans for the area
Isaksen wants to upgrade the area in Sørvika with nice green areas and stone fillings.
– Many have expressed that it is good that something is happening in Sørvik. We have done a lot and have many future plans to upgrade the area, he says.
Isaksen believes it is important that it looks good and that it is tidy. The hangers must be neat and placed, in order of size.
