“Carl Hansen & Son 100 Years of Craftsmanship” was published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the renowned Danish furniture manufacturer Carl Hansen & Son. The book expresses gratitude to the company’s customers, collaborators, and craftsmen, while celebrating the legacy and pride cultivated over a century of production.
The narrative begins with the founder, Carl Hansen. More than a businessman, he was a highly skilled craftsman who inherited his expertise and sense of pride from his father. Driven by a deep commitment to quality, he established a small workshop in Odense on October 28, 1908, using his own modest savings. Initially working alone and producing furniture on a made-to-order basis, he steadily expanded the workshop through diligence, integrity, and uncompromising craftsmanship. Despite facing difficult economic periods, he continued investing in efficiency and production capacity, constructing a new factory outside Odense in 1936. He passed the business on to his son, Holger Hansen, in 1943 and died in 1959.
Under the second generation, Holger Hansen guided the company through challenging times. He focused on operational efficiency while cultivating a network within the furniture industry. A significant undertaking of this era was the company’s participation in Salesco, a cooperative established in 1957 to expand exports. Although the project ultimately dissolved in 1972 after managerial struggles and international market challenges, the period marked a turning point for the company. Most notably, it marked the beginning of Carl Hansen & Son’s collaboration with Hans J. Wegner. From 1949 onward, the company began producing Wegner’s furniture, including the now-iconic Wishbone Chair (CH24). The extraordinary craftsmanship required for these designs dramatically influenced the production system and became essential to the identity and success of the company.
The third generation—led by Knud Erik Hansen and Jørgen Gerner—inherited a difficult business environment but initiated bold reforms while respecting the company’s traditions. They introduced new designers (including the Airport Chair series), expanded the product collection, strengthened production methods and quality control, and actively pursued international markets. Japan, in particular, became one of the company’s most significant early international successes. Efforts to revive past masterpieces—such as through the acquisition of Tranekær Furniture—are also discussed, highlighting the company’s commitment to bridging traditional craftsmanship with modern industrial techniques. Throughout periods of adversity, Carl Hansen & Son continued to uphold its devotion to quality, design authenticity, and the dignity of craftsmanship.
Ultimately, the book presents the 100-year story of Carl Hansen & Son not merely as a corporate history, but as a window into the evolution of Danish furniture culture, the dialogue between designers and makers, and the company’s ongoing commitment to global markets. The passion, discipline, and vision of each generation reveal how a family-run workshop grew into a brand of international importance—one that continues to shape the future of Danish design.
About
Author
Carl Hansen & Son
Publisher
Carl Hansen & Son
Size
22 × 28.5 × 1.5 cm (147 pages)
Content
- Introduction
• Gratitude and pride on the occasion of the 100th anniversary - Foundations and Early Years (Carl Hansen)
• Establishment of the workshop in Odense in 1908
• Commitment to craftsmanship and early challenges - The Era of Holger Hansen
• Succession during difficult economic times
• Expanding networks within the furniture industry
• Establishment of Salesco and efforts to enter export markets
• Beginning of collaboration with Hans J. Wegner
• Birth and success of the Wishbone Chair (CH24)
• Production and quality control of Wegner’s furniture - Reforms and Growth Under the Third Generation
• Rebuilding the company despite inherited difficulties
• Introduction of new designs and designers (e.g., Airport Chair)
• Transformation of production systems and factories
• Expansion into international markets, especially Japan - Revival of Iconic Designs and the Future of the Brand
• Reintroduction of past masterpieces, particularly Wegner models
• Integration of tradition and contemporary technology
• Establishment of the brand as a global leader - Archive & Historical Materials
Review
This commemorative volume offers a detailed and heartfelt exploration of Carl Hansen & Son’s century-long journey. It traces the founder Carl Hansen’s uncompromising dedication to craftsmanship, Holger Hansen’s leadership during turbulent years, and the transformative collaboration with Hans J. Wegner that led to the creation of timeless masterpieces such as the Wishbone Chair (CH24).
The book also highlights the bold reforms introduced by Knud Erik Hansen and Jørgen Gerner, whose strategic decisions revitalized the company and expanded its international presence, including notable success in Japan. Their commitment to design innovation, manufacturing excellence, and the revival of iconic works illustrates how the company overcame adversity while staying faithful to its heritage.
With a narrative that blends craftsmanship, business evolution, and global cultural impact, this book is far more than a corporate chronicle. It is a testament to the enduring values of quality, artistry, and vision that have guided Carl Hansen & Son through its first century—and continue to drive its aspirations for the next hundred years.