| Ekornes is a European furniture manufacturer located | | | | business while Jens is away. He begins work in a |
| in Norway. What’s interesting about Ekornes is | | | | mattress factory in the USA to become more skilled |
| that it is based in a country with just over four and | | | | in his trade. Impressed by the industrialization and |
| half million people roughly the same population as the | | | | how it will help to reduce the manufacturing costs of |
| state of Colorado. However, their accomplishments in | | | | his mattresses, he purchases equipment and hires an |
| high-end furniture have become realized across the | | | | American expert to travel back with him to Norway |
| world. In this article we’re going to take a look | | | | to train his workers on how to use the new |
| at the Norwegian man who founded Ekornes and | | | | machinery. |
| examine the rich history of a company that started | | | | From 1947 to 1959 Jens Ekornes again starts building |
| from humble beginnings, endured hardships through | | | | furniture components for other manufacturers. He |
| world war two and embraced modern technology to | | | | opens a new factory to handle wood parts and |
| create furniture unlike any other. | | | | another for the purpose of creating foamed plastics. |
| Jens Ekornes started his business in 1934. He started | | | | In keeping with how he got into mattresses, Jens |
| out in a small building located in Sunnmøre, Norway | | | | Ekornes begins designing and building furniture and in |
| with three employees and some German made | | | | 1966 introduces a line of club furniture that would |
| machinery. His business was that of building steel | | | | simply become called Ekornes®. This leather |
| springs for the booming mattress and furniture | | | | furniture was met with much success which may |
| industry. Business was doing quite well for Jens and | | | | have also been attributed to a national mailer sent to |
| he became interested in branching out from building | | | | every Norwegian home and soon Ekornes® |
| furniture components to actually building the | | | | became a household name in Norway. |
| mattresses themselves. Not satisfied with many of | | | | 1971 marked an important year for Ekornes® as it |
| the current mattress building techniques, he attended | | | | introduced the leather Stressless® recliner. The |
| a furniture show where he discovers a British sofa | | | | success generated by Stressless chairs recliner would |
| mattress that consists of linked steel springs with | | | | lead to an important expansion for Ekornes® in |
| coils on each side. He is impressed by this design and | | | | it’s steel and automation departments which |
| believes this same technique can be applied to | | | | would allow it to keep up with growing demand |
| conventional mattresses. With the aid of his shop | | | | internationally. In 1980 Ekornes® goes global and |
| foreman he sets out to design and construct a new | | | | begins to export the Stressless® line of recliners |
| mattress which would become known by its brand | | | | and furniture throughout the world. With several |
| name Svane®. | | | | patented features which include a lower lumbar |
| Between the years of 1935 to 1939 Jens Ekornes | | | | support, glide system and head feature which moves |
| made the rounds in showcasing his new design | | | | forward with the individual, Stressless® recliners |
| through different furniture shows as well as retailers | | | | established themselves with features unavailable on |
| and steadily his orders and workforce increase for | | | | any other recliner in the world. By 1983, 500,000 |
| the new Svane® line of mattresses. He soon | | | | Stressless® recliners had been sold worldwide. A |
| begins opening new factories to help take on the | | | | remarkable and impressive feat considering the |
| added business from the new mattress lines and | | | | competition of high end furniture found throughout |
| things seem to be going pretty well for Jens | | | | the world. |
| Ekornes… until war erupts in Europe. In April of | | | | Stressless® and Ekornes® products are currently |
| 1940 Norway is invaded by larger and superior | | | | sold in over 30 countries across five continents. |
| German forces. Norway resists but is soon overcome | | | | Stressless recliners have been joined by matching |
| and surrenders several months later. Jens Ekornes | | | | sofas, loveseats, chairs and ottomans as well as |
| and his family live through the occupation. Years of | | | | matching coffee tables and end tables. Ekornes |
| hardships pass for many Europeans including the | | | | continues to move forward with advancements in |
| Ekornes family until finally allied forces arrive and | | | | industrial technology and creating new features in |
| successfully liberate Europe. In 1945 Germany | | | | every pieces of Ekornes furniture. With a rich history |
| unconditionally surrenders and the war in the | | | | dating back to 1934, the legacy of Jens Ekornes lives |
| European theater ends. In 1946 Jens Ekornes travels | | | | on today in every Ekornes® Stressless® product. |
| to the United States. His brothers watch over the | | | | |