Georg Jensen A/S
|
Logos through time | |
| Aktieselskab | |
| Industry | Silverware |
| Founded | April 19, 1904 in Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Founder | Georg Jensen |
| Headquarters | Søndre Fasanvej 7, Frederiksberg, Denmark |
Areas served | Worldwide |
Key people |
David Chu (Chairman) Eva-Lotta Sjӧstedt (CEO) Annemette Nøhr (CFO) |
| Revenue |
 €135,499 million (2014[1]) |
| Total assets |
€118,843 million (2014[1]) |
Number of employees |
 193 (2014[1]) |
| Parent | Investcorp |
| Subsidiaries | Georg Jensen Investment ApS |
| Website | Official website |
Georg Jensen A/S (originally Georg Jensens Sølvsmedie A/S) is a Danish designer company with focus on silverware. It was founded by famed silversmith Georg Jensen in 1904.
History
After finishing at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in 1892, Georg Jensen tried his hand at clay sculptures, before moving to the applied arts. He began as a modeller at the Bing & Grøndahl porcelain factory and, in 1898 he had small pottery workshop. In 1901, he abandoned ceramics and began again as a silversmith and designer with the master, Mogens Ballin.[2] This led Jensen to make a landmark decision, when in 1904, he risked what small capital he had and opened his own little silversmithy at 36 Bredgade in Copenhagen.
In 1909 the first shop in Berlin opened, and the following year, Jensen received a gold medal for the work he displayed at the International Exhibition in Brussels. In 1912, a larger workshop and a larger retail shop opened in Copenhagen.[2]
The company's Berlin store entered a periode of financial trouble with the beginning of World War I. The company did however enjoy international success, winning the grand prix at the 1915 world's fair, with William Hearst reportedly buying the whole exhibition.[3]
Georg was director until 1924 and continued as creative leader until his death in 1935.
Modern
Georg Jensen was bought in 1972 by Royal Copenhagen, which was mereged with Orrefors Kosta Boda, Boda-Nova Höganäs Keramik and the Venini, to create the Royal Scandinavia Group. In 2001, Royal Scandinavia Group was sold to the private equity group Axcel Capital Partners.[4] In 2012 it was sold to Investcorp for US$140 million.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 "Georg Jensen A/S". largestcompanies.com. Nordic Netproducts. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- 1 2 "Georg Jensen Jewelry Exhibition". bgc.bard.edu. Bard Graduate Center. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ↑ Boom, Caroline. "The History of Georg Jensen". Antiques and Design. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ↑ "New owners of Royal Scandinavia". Carlsberg Group. Cralsberg. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ↑ DeMarco, Anthony. "Georg Jensen Sold To Investment Group For $140 Million". Forbes.com. Retrieved 1 April 2016.