ABOUT
'EKOMES
Ekornes is the Nordic region’s largest furniture producer. It is headquartered in Sykkylven, on the west coast of Norway.
We design and manufacture furniture products that are marketed under the brand names Stressless®, Svane® and IMG. Stressless® is one of the world’s most well-known furniture brands, while the brands Ekornes® and Svane® are most famous in Norway. IMG is marketed mainly in the USA and Australia.
GLOBAL PRESENCE
Ekornes has 19 sales offices in 13 countries and more than 4,000 retail outlets serving 48 markets worldwide. In recent years, the company has generated sales revenues in excess of NOK 3 billion. We have 10 factories located in Norway, the USA, Thailand, Vietnam and Lithuania, and around 3,200 employees working together to make our customers’ lives even better.
HISTORY
OUR ROOTS
Our roots are firmly planted in the Sykkylven district of Sunnmøre, on the west coast of Norway.
This is where you will also find our headquarters. Sykkylven is often described as the cradle of the Norwegian furniture industry, and a number of furniture concepts have been brought forth here in the past hundred years.
1934
Production at the J.E. Ekornes Fjærfabrikk starts in 1934, with three employees and machines made in Germany. Furniture manufacturing has just become established in Sunnmøre, and this provides the founder, Jens Ekornes, with his first customers. But it doesn't take long before springs for furniture and mattresses are sold throughout Norway.
Greater challenges are to come. Once the production of springs is established, it is only natural that he should develop an interest in the mattresses themselves as well. And he wants them to be different from the heavy steel-spring mattresses fitted on to wooden frames by means of unsatisfactory lacing. At an exhibition Jens Ekornes sees a British mattress whose interior consisted of a large number of springs linked together on both sides by steel coils. He understands at once that this system could also be used inside ordinary mattresses. As soon as he gets home he starts to try this out together with factory foreman Nils Sjøholt, and before long they are able to present the first Svane mattress. This is followed quickly by new products, new factories and a steadily increasing workforce.
1935-38
Jens Ekornes presented the new idea for internal springs at the major furniture exhibition in Ålesund. The springs were linked together by steel coils, and could be used inside furniture cushions as well as mattresses. The first Svane mattresses appeared on the market. They were launched in three versions: Eva, Ideal and Rekord.
1946
Jens Ekornes traveled to the USA where he worked in a mattress factory to learn more about the trade. While he was away, his brothers Martin and Leif looked after the business at Ikornnes. Jens Ekornes then bought American machinery for the production of upholstered spring mattresses. This made it possible to rationalize the manufacturing process and consequently sell the Svane mattress at a more reasonable price. He also brought back an expert from the USA who helped set up the new machinery and train people in its operation.
1947
The factory began to manufacture the wooden furniture components needed for sofa beds and mattress bases.
1955
Mattress production began at Ikornnes, and as part of the implementation of the Northern Norway plan, at Bodø as well.
1962
Ekornes Fetsund was established outside Oslo for the manufacture and production of mattresses and furniture.
1966
Ekornes launched its first collection of lounge furniture. As the first furniture manufacturer in Norway, Ekornes distributed information about its products, entitled ‘Svaneinformasjon' (Svane News), to every household in the country. This first success has since been followed by the direct mailing of a new Ekornes catalog every year. For the first time, furniture was launched with a brand name. The Ekornes family acquired the public company Vik & Blindheim Møbelfabrikk AS, which became Svane Møbler AS.
1959
J.E. Ekornes AS began to produce foamed plastic. This created an important element in the manufacturing process of Ekornes' own mattresses and furniture, as well as production for sale on the open market.
1967
Ekornes acquired the manufacturing rights for Nirva mattresses from DFU, and the manufacturing rights for Paradise mattresses from Steen & Strøm. Production of foamed plastic began at the Fetsund factory. A factory was built for the manufacturing of needle-felt carpets, which were then marketed by Tarkett/Fagertun AS.
1969
Mattress production was moved from Ikornnes to Fetsund. Ekornes launched its first leather-upholstered lounge furniture.
1970
Ekornes changed its policy, and concentrated on a selective sales strategy in the Norwegian market. The number of distributors was reduced from approximately 1,200 to 200, and the name of the local distributors were printed on the catalogs. This year Ekornes also applied for a patent for Stressless.
1971
The first Stressless chairs were launched on the Norwegian market. The success of Stressless lead to a major expansion and automation of the steel department. This expansion takes Stressless and Ekornes into the most expansive chapter of its history.
1972
Ekornes took over the production of Helly Hansen's foamed plastic mattresses, which were still marketed by Helly Hansen.
1974
Svane Møbler AS began to work with the Stranda Lenestolfabrikk AS furniture company, and acquired 51 % of its shares. In the same year, Jens and Petrine Ekornes gave three-quarters of the shares in J.E. Ekornes Fabrikker AS to a trust called ‘The Foundation' established by Jens Ellingsen Ekornes and his wife Petrine Ekornes to further the aid charity of the Norske Misjonsselskap (The Norwegian Missionary Society).
1975
Revenue of the Ekornes Group exceeded NOK 100 million.
1977
The Ekornes Group was now the largest furniture manufacturer in Scandinavia.
1979
Ekornes started to work with P.I. Langlos Fabrikker AS, the long-established furniture company in Stranda, and acquired 49 % of its shares. Svane Møbler AS was then re-registered under the name Ekornes Møbler AS.
VISION AND VALUES
OUR VISION IS THIS
We improve everyday living. With our passion for innovation, we know we do just that.
We are constantly striving to develop optimal combinations of smart functionality and attractive designs – to maximise the comfort afforded by our armchairs, sofas, dining furniture and beds. With a shared vision and values, we want everyone who works within the Ekornes organisation to understand and pursue this joint set of values that is the result of our unique history.
HONEST
Honesty is in our DNA. Honesty means that we can always be trusted. Honesty is the basis for our integrity and the respect we have for each other.
We create a good working environment through honesty and respect, and it is the foundation for creating good relations with our stakeholders. We are committed to doing what is right to take care of the people, the company and our surroundings. We keep our promises. Honesty is always the best policy.
GENIUN
Being genuine is being who we are - and being proud of who we are. We come from a small community located in magnificent surroundings, where respect, moderation, and sustainability have always been a prerequisite for success.
We know each other and we trust each other. This is also the case for our products. We have created innovative and functional furniture for almost a century and will continue to do so in line with our Norwegian roots. What you see is what you get!
ENTHUSIASTIC
Being enthusiastic means to engage, excite, inspire and support. This enthusiasm binds us together. It makes us work harder and it makes it fun to be at work. We see the possibilities and build on proud traditions. Enthusiasm ensures that we constantly seeks new ways to improve and develop. We spur each other on!
ADAPTABLE
Being adaptable means looking for opportunities and exploiting them. In a world of rapid change we must change with it. Being open-minded and curious, asking questions and challenging the established mindset is the secret to our success. We are quick to try new things and even quicker to adapt. Our constant search for opportunities gives us a competitive advantage. Change keeps us strong!
TEAM
THE EKORNES MANAGEMENT TEAM
Ekornes is a matrix organisation. Our Group Management Team covers all aspects of Ekornes, from product development to HR, and includes key decision-makers from our strategic markets.
COROPORATE MANAGEMENT
BORAD OF DIRECTORS
