Odd Gleditsch started to develop his talent for business when he opened a paint distributor's shop in 1920. It was a good time for the whaling industry, and Gleditsch soon worked his way into the business of supplier to the whaling fleets in Sandefjord, Tønsberg, and Larvik. As sales to the whaling fleet increased, Gleditsch saw the pontential in manufacturing the paint himself. At Gimle, outside Sandefjord, there was an oil mill (Gimle Oljemølle A/S) which was close to bankrupcy - an oil mill which produced antifoulings and marine paints sold through the Gleditsch paint shop.
