Jens Ellingsen Ekornes (20 January 1908 – 28 November 1976) was a Norwegian businessperson. He was the founder of Norwegian-based furniture company,

Ekornes AS Ekornes is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Jens E. Ekornes (1908–1976), Norwegian businessman *Jens Petter Ekornes (1942–2008), Norwegian businessman, nephew of Jens *Kenneth Ekornes Kenneth Ekornes (born 7 July 1974 in ...

Biography

Ekornes was born at

Sykkylven Municipality Sykkylven is a List of municipalities of Norway, municipality in Møre og Romsdal Counties of Norway, county, Norway. It is part of the Sunnmøre Districts of Norway, region. The administrative centre is the village of Aure, Sykkylven, Aure. Othe ...

Møre og Romsdal Møre og Romsdal (; ) is a Counties of Norway, county in the northernmost part of Western Norway, Western Norway. It borders the counties of Trøndelag, Innlandet, and Vestland. The county administration is located in the Molde (town), town of M ...

, Norway. He was the son of Elling Sivertsen Ekornes (1878–1966) and Berte Jensine Jensdatter Vik (1884–1968). Jens Ekornes was the second of five brothers: Sigurd b. 1906, Jens b. 1908, Martin b. 1912, Leiv Peder b. 1917. In his early twenties, he went to work for ''Ørsta Lenestolfabrikk'' where his brother, Sigurd Ekornes, was co-owner. In 1934, he founded the furniture company ''J. E. Ekornes Fjærfabrikk'' in Sykkylven. In 1937 he took a trip to

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

and

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

. He also visited the United States several times, to learn his trade. Initially the firm was principally focused on the production of mattress. In 1966, Ekornes started production of lounge furniture. In 1971, Stressless® chairs were introduced on the Norwegian market. Jens E. Ekornes was the sole owner of the company until 1960, when his brothers Leif and Martin became co-owners in a

joint stock company A joint-stock company (JSC) is a business entity in which shares of the company's capital stock, stock can be bought and sold by shareholders. Each shareholder owns company stock in proportion, evidenced by their share (finance), shares (certifi ...

''J. E. Ekornes Fabrikker AS''. Upon his death in 1976, Martin Ekornes took over as chief executive. Later, his nephew

Jens Petter Ekornes Jens Petter Ekornes (2 January 1942 – 22 June 2008) was a Norwegian businessperson, known as the CEO of Ekornes. He was born in Ørsta Municipality as a son of Sigurd Ekornes (1906–) and Margit Helene Pedersen (1912–1983). In August 1963 he ...

(1942–2008) became CEO of Ekornes until 1987.

Personal life

In 1933, he married Petrine Elida Tomasdatter Riksheim. In 1971 he was appointed a knight of the 1st class of the

Order of St. Olav The Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav (; or ''Sanct Olafs Orden'', the old Norwegian name) is a Norwegian order of chivalry instituted by King Oscar I on 21 August 1847. It is named after King Olav II, known to posterity as St. Olav. Just be ...

. Ekornes died in 1976.

References

External links

Stressless website
1908 births 1976 deaths People from Sykkylven Norwegian company founders Order of Saint Olav {{Norway-business-bio-stub

Biography

Personal life

References

Related reading

External links