Fritz Hansen

Fritz Hansen – Danish design with timeless elegance

150 years Fritz Hansen - the anniversary

In 2022, the Danish furniture manufacturer celebrates its 150th anniversary.

In 1872, the company was founded in Copenhagen and still stands for high-quality furniture and lighting in Scandinavian design.

The history of Fritz Hansen is characterized by the visions of renowned design greats such as Arne Jacobsen, Hans J. Wegner or Poul Kjærholm.

The timeless design and outstanding furniture quality are evident in iconic furniture that continues to embellish the interiors of the world today. The Egg™ Chair, Swan™ Chair, the Ant™ or the legendary Series 7™ are some of the great successes that are available today in a multitude of variations.

Discover now the iconic furniture and lighting created in 150 years of company history and configure your new favorite furniture!

The history of Fritz Hansen

At the beginning there stood a single carpenter.
A single master carpenter laid the foundation. In 1872, the name of this world-famous brand opened its small workshop near the Amalienborg Palace near Copenhagen.
It did not take long and the small workshop became a large furniture manufactory. Thus, the company was forced to find a new location at the end of the nineteenth century and found this near Copenhagen.
Industrial production methods were introduced without losing sight of the quality and the usual high standard. Finally, it was decided to put on functional furniture and inspired the Bauhaus style, which still characterizes the product lines of Fritz Hansen.

The road to modernity

Steel tube constructions and steam-formed wooden furniture became a trademark of the company. The designs of the furniture manufacturer were unmistakable and at the same time immortal, however, only through their close collaboration with numerous world-famous designers. Names such as Hans J. Wegner, Kaare Klint and Arne Jacobsen were the names of the furniture that was created here.
The collaboration with Arne Jacobsen, which produced several unique, revolutionary and extraordinary product lines, was particularly productive and exciting. Furniture such as Series 7, armchairs with the unusual name "Egg" or the chairs "Swan" and "Ant" were the result of worldwide attention and are still distributed by the company. To this day, these originals look modern and appealing.
The facilities of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen were famous for the bran. This building and the interior furnishings were designed entirely by Arne Jacobsen. Unfortunately, little of this original work has been preserved, but the furniture designed by Jacobsen attracts attention in the present.
Today, sterile steel constructions are complemented by playful shapes and eye-catching colors, and the old designs are also experiencing a renaissance when they are adapted to the spirit of the times by new colors. Nevertheless, the furniture remains functional and never overcharged or even kitschy.
By combining tradition and the transfer into modernity, this company has created a future-oriented and timeless product line. Even today the Danish furniture manufacturer cooperates with respected designers and architects around the world to preserve the charm and uniqueness of its tables, chairs, armchairs, sofas and all the other furniture.

Stylish furniture with worldwide recognition

Although the company has not been family-owned since 1979, it still retains its own character and the unique flair of the furniture. This makes the brand a stylicone today.
The company now occupies a special position among all the manufacturers and produces selected design furniture for demanding people. Instead of massive production, the emphasis is placed on individuality, which places the viewer in constant contact with this brand.
Numerous awards honor the work of the designers around the furniture workshop and individual exhibits can be found today in the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum Guggenheim in New York. Showrooms in Tokyo, London, Stockholm, Oslo, New York, Amsterdam and Milan carry the furniture from Denmark to the whole world, where this brand has secured its rightful place after more than 100 years of company history.

Fritz Hansen furniture shop

Here at the Fritz Hansen furniture Shop we can supply all Fritz Hansen furniture in any technically possible combination of surfaces, covers, etc. If a special version is not listed here, we would be glad to help you in a personal conversation!

The story

1872 - The company is born

The success story begins in 1872. The furniture joiner Fritz Hansen from Copenhagen will receive a trade license this year. In 1885 he founds his own company for furniture production. Two years later, a workshop follows in a central part of Copenhagen. Together with his son Christian, Fritz Hansen lays the foundation for the production of furniture of first-class quality, the company's trademark.

The company's reputation manifests itself in a long list of prestigious contracts in the company's first 50 years. Many significant projects are among the company's works. Among them are u.a. the Copenhagen City Hall, the Supreme Court and also the University Library.

The 30s

The first experiments with the bending of beech wood are carried out by Fritz Hansen's son Christian at the beginning of the century. The technology perfected over many years makes the company one of the world market leaders. The production of laminated wood furniture is becoming a specialty of the company.

The first Danish furniture made of steel and the famous Church chair by designer Kaare Klint were presented. The Church chair was to remain the collection from 1936 to 2004. The light and practical approach, as well as the pure lines of the designs made for the breakthrough in Scandinavian space.

The 40s

Despite difficult circumstances during the Second World War, the company is expanding the factory. When many Danish walnut trees succumb to harsh winters, Fritz Hansen buys large quantities of wood and introduces a new range of walnut furniture. This action arouses the interest of the press and becomes a success.

A classic of the 1940s is the China Chair ™, designed by the architect Hans J. Wegner. The sculptural chair stands for the finest furniture making craft. Another classic comes from Børge Mogensen. In 1945 he designed the sofa with the spokes in the backrest, which is later reintroduced as the most Danish sofa.

The 50s

It is the decade of Arne Jacobsen. Collaboration began in 1934, but Jacobsen's breakthrough came with the Ant ™ chair. To German: The ant. From this chair emerged the famous Series 7 chairs, whose success story does not end today. Fritz Hansen has achieved a milestone in its history with the introduction of laminating technology.

Arne Jacobsen lets follow other great creations. Iconic furniture such as the Egg ™ and the Swan ™ Chair, which he once designed for Copenhagen's Royal Hotel, are firmly established in the history of furniture design.

In the 1950s, Verner Panton also contributed to the product range with its Bachelor chairs.

The 60s

The factory in Allerød was expanded in 1963 by three factories and the administration was relocated in 1965 by Christianshavn to the site in Allerød. The renovated buildings in Allerød also include an exhibition room.

The table with clamping legs and the superelliptic ™ table are designed by Piet Hein and Bruno Mathsson. They are among the greatest successes. The reintroduction of the Tremmesofa by Børge Mogensens and the Wegner China ™ Chair are equally successful. Even the 60s are dominated by the designs of Arne Jacobsen.

The 70s

With the first working day of 1979 Fritz Hansen announces that the company is not in family hands after 107 years. Skandinavisk Holding holds 75% of the shares in the company. A big change for the company.

In the service of Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton provides his designs for provocation and inspiration. He plays a prominent role in this decade.

The 80s

The new owner, the Skandinavisk Holding, is preparing the company for extensive refurbishment measures and investments for the future.

During the EXPO 1983 an exhibition was shown exclusively with Fritz Hansen models. The exhibition shows that the Danish company regains its position as the leading furniture company in Denmark.

The 90s

The decade is about enlargement. Five areas of use are in focus: conference room, lunch room, waiting and resting areas, office space and private houses. The inauguration of a new, modern factory in Vassingerød will be completed in 1999. It is the most modern factory in the industry. The production capacity of stackable chairs could be significantly increased. The exhibition space and the museum "The legacy of Fritz Hansen" will be opened to visitors. Jacob Holm is hired as the new CEO in 1998. Under this leadership, the company was to transform itself from the production company into a brand-oriented, distribution-oriented, customer-focused company.

The 2000s

A change of strategy takes place. The Republic of Fritz Hansen ™ concept will be introduced in 2000. Furniture from the Republic of Fritz Hansen should express individuality and be part of the image of companies and private individuals. New designers interpret the design philosophy from their perspective. Kasper Salto's series Little Friend ™ and ICE ™ present multifunctional designs and new materials with Cecilie Manz and Piero Lissoni. The inviting designs attract new prospects.

Nevertheless, the decade is about the revitalization of old classics. This learns u.a. the Oxford ™ chair comprehensive in 2003.

2010 -

Fritz Hansen's furniture is designed for private and public use. The retail and contract markets are equally addressed by the collection. The collaboration with designer Jaime Hayon, which started in 2011, creates beautiful sculptural furniture.

The series 7 ™ celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2015 and Fritz Hansen takes over the Danish company Lighyears. In 2016, the accessories collection follows Objects. The slogan "Complementing your life" is both the extension of the brand and the presentation of beautiful and affordable products.