History in English

HISTORY 1912 - 2011

The Company founder, Richard Ebbesen, was born in Copenhagen in 1888. As a 14-year-old he took employment at blacksmith Hammers, who had workshop on the corner of "Gl. Mønt" and "Møntergade" in the central Copenhagen. This area was at the time the base for all printers, book-binders and box-makers. They were Hammer's customers and it became Richard tasks to keep their machines up to date and to develop new machines. After this employment, Richard joined I.G.A. Eickhoff on Vesterbrogade 97 in Copenhagen. Eickhoff built by then machines for printing and bookbinding.

As a young man Richard then vent "on the waltz". In the period 1910 - 1912 he worked at the famous factory Martini Buchbindereimaschinenfabrik in Frauenfeld - Switzerland. Here he educated himself further, among other things in repairing and assembling sewing machines for book production.

Back home in Denmark in 1912 Richard Ebbesen then began as an independent engineer. The official establishment date was July 6th 1912, and the company's specialty was the maintenance and repair of bookbinding and cardboard machines. Initially based at the private address: Tranevej, Nørrebro, Copenhagen NV. The first customer was Marius Andersen's Bookbinding.

Bookbinder company from "the good old days"

After some time, Richard set up a workshop in the basement nearby Søllerød Street at "Nørreport Roundabout". Now Rich. Ebbesen was able to perform installation and service for the Danish Martini dealer; the firm Armin Krahe's Eftf. by Ferdinand Stege.

Around year 1918 it was time again for changes. The workshop moved to "Gråbrødre Torv 6" in central Copenhagen K, which was the center of the growing clientele. This expanded business with several engineers, metal-workers and trainees. At that time there was started production of smaller machines such as the punching machines Dan I, II & III for hole punching in variable distance, forced by footpower.

Around 1935 the company began trading refurbished second hand machines, and an extra store room was rented in "Skindergade 27".

October 15th 1935 the founders son, Aage Richard Ebbesen (born 1921), started as a trainee in the company. He was educated October 14th 1940. Aage stayed in the company as engineer and later on as responsible for the workshop.

In 1940 moved Company Rich. Ebbesen to "Store Kongensgade 69" in Copenhagen K. Now the main business was repair and service work, but not at least producing spare parts and designing changes and updates on machines. During and after WW2 was produced booklet stitching machines RE-5 after Aages redesign. These were sold throughout Denmark by industry wholesalers.

In 1946 (after WorldWar II) Aage R. Ebbesen was stationed at Martini Buchbindereimaschinenfabrik in Frauenfeld – Switzerland for further education. During this visit, he learned to design machines, to install and make service on the whole range of Martini Machines.

After his return to Denmark, Aage R. Ebbesen stayed as an employee in his father's company as responsible technician for Martini in Scandinavia. He planned the installations and had the concern regarding the factory warranty.

Aage R. Ebbesen was from approx. 1950 co-partner in the company and from that time Co. Rich. Ebbesen made contracts with several foreign suppliers of machinery, components and consumables.

In 1960, Richard Ebbesen passed away, and Aage R. Ebbesen continued as the sole manager and principal partner with Richard Ebbesens widow, Anna Mathilde Ebbesen. After 1960 import and trade expanded considerably and it was necessary to rent extra rooms for storage. Finally they had machines stocked in 7 different places. They had eventually taken over both the stock and premises from other companies who were closed down.

In 1964 Aage R. Ebbesen bought the property "Trekronergade 15 – 17" in Valby, Copenhagen. This event brought together the whole company, which is by now registered as an ApS (Ltd.). To this address the company was moved on its 52nd years Foundation Day, July 6th 1964. The Patricier-like property has since then been a important part of the company's profile.

On May 13th 1974 Johnna Anita Ebbesen (daughter of Aage) joined the firm as a technical assistant and Master of Degree, with working fields like handling, administration and international trading. During her early years she made numerous travels all over Europe, but also to Australia and Canada.

By the end of 2004 Johnna Ebbesen took over the company by generational change.

Several people have had their entire working lives at "Rich. Ebbesen", and many others have been employed with the company for long periods.

May 2001 Johnna Ebbesen's husband, Henrik Andreasen, joined the company as workshop and service manager and especially with the technical contacts to the many foreign suppliers.

In the first ten years of this century, the company has been constantly developing its range of machines to be offered. As a result of the tremendous changeover in methods of graphic production, it has been necessary to review the palette of agencies, and every year several new international contracts are being negotiated.

Today Rich. Ebbesen A/S is a modern and well respected supplier for graphic solutions to the whole industry, from in-house print shops to the heaviest graphic companies in Denmark – as well as for the most of the rest of Scandinavia.

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