Timeline
2010
2010-Present
In 2010, Ekornes was the first company to win two categories of the British interior design awards for “Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer” and “Best Marketing Support”. Stressless turned 40 in 2011 with over 6.5 million seat units sold since 1971. Ekornes won more awards in Britain, Japan, and Hong Kong...Read More
2000
2000s
In 2002, the Stressless factory became Norway’s most robotized and automated production business. Sofas and chairs were presented as product families. The new Stressless factory opened in 2004 with the most advanced furniture equipment making 2,000 chairs per day. Ekornes expands by opening showrooms in Las Vegas and Paris and..Read More
1990
1990s
In 1994, the company turned 60 years old and manufacturing plants were reduced to four locations in Norway. Ekornes launched a new child chair concept called KIDDO and a new mattress series called Svane Goldline in 1998. The following year, the Stressless Senator was chosen by the Consumer Digest as..Read More
1980
1980s
Marketing to the USA began which became the largest export market for Ekornes. Various companies under the Ekornes umbrella and ownership structure were reorganized to enable one generation to pass on to the next. In 1984, the company turned 50 years old. By 1985, eight Ekornes factories existed in Norway..Read More
1970
1970s
Ekornes applied for a patent and launched Stressless chairs in the Norwegian market. In 1975, revenue of the Ekornes Group exceeded NOK 100 million. The following year, the Fetsund plant was destroyed by a fire. A new factory was built 1976-78. During this time, Ekornes group became the largest furniture..Read More
1960
1960s
Ekornes launches their first collection of lounge furniture. They began marketing their brand and products with newsletters to every household in the country followed by an Ekornes catalog every year. At the end of the 1960s, mattress production moved from Ikornnes to Fetsund and they launched their first leather lounge..Read More
1950
1950s
Mattress production began. They also produced foamed plastic which became an important element in the manufacturing process of Ekornes’ mattresses and furniture, including on the open market.
1940
1940s
Jens Ekornes traveled to the USA and worked in a mattress factory to learn about the trade. His brothers, Martin and Leif, looked after the business while he was away. Jens Ekornes bought American machinery to produce upholstered spring mattresses at a more reasonable price. The factory also started manufacturing..Read More
1935
1935-38
Jens Ekornes presented his idea for internal springs at a major furniture exhibition in Ålesund. His springs linked together by steel coils and could be used in mattresses and furniture cushions. Three versions of Svane mattresses launched on the market.
1934
The Beginning
J.E. Ekornes Fjærfabrikk started production in 1934 with three employees and German-made machines. Furniture manufacturing was new to Sunnmøre which gave the founder, Jens Ekornes, his first customers. Soon after, springs were used in furniture and mattresses throughout Norway. Jens Ekornes developed an interest in springs and mattresses, but he..Read More