COMPANY·HISTORIES

Denmark

Companies based in Denmark, and the events that shaped them.

17companies1870–1994founding years17still active0no longer operating
§ 01

Denmark companies over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedChr. Hansen Group A/S
1870
FoundedAarhus United A/S
1871
FoundedCarl Allers Etablissement A/S
1873
FoundedFLSmidth & Co. A/S
1882
FoundedISS A/S
1901
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedA.P. Møller - Maersk A/S
1904
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedHummel International A/S
1923
FoundedBang & Olufsen Holding A/S
1925
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedNovo Nordisk A/S
1940
FoundedIKEA International A/S
1943
FoundedLego A/S
1944
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedEcco Sko A/S
1963
FoundedCarlsberg A/S
1970
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedDanske Bank Aktieselskab
1990
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
TechnologyLinux and open source challenge proprietary software.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
FoundedSterling European Airlines A/S
1994
TechnologyE-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Arla Foods amba →
Active · Denmark
Founded:1869 as Arla ek.
TDC A/S →
Active · Denmark
TDC A/S--formerly Tele Danmark, itself created from the former state-owned telephone monopoly--is Denmark's top…
Chr. Hansen Group A/S →
Active · founded 1870 · Denmark
Chr.
Aarhus United A/S →
Active · founded 1871 · Denmark
Aarhus United A/S is a leading producer of vegetable oils for the food, confectionery, cosmetics, and healthcare…
Carl Allers Etablissement A/S →
Active · founded 1873 · Denmark
Carl Allers Etablissement A/S is one of the Scandinavian region's leading media groups.
FLSmidth & Co. A/S →
Active · founded 1882 · Denmark
1920s:The company launches production of ready-mixer concrete and fiber cement.
ISS A/S →
Active · founded 1901 · Denmark
ISS A/S runs the largest cleaning business in the world.
A.P. Møller - Maersk A/S →
Active · founded 1904 · Denmark
A.P.
Hummel International A/S →
Active · founded 1923 · Denmark
1950s:Hummel moves to Viby, Denmark.
Bang & Olufsen Holding A/S →
Active · founded 1925 · Denmark
Bang & Olufsen Holding A/S (B & O) is a leading consumer electronics firm, manufacturing a complete line of…
Novo Nordisk A/S →
Active · founded 1940 · Denmark
Novo Nordisk A/S is one of the world's leading suppliers of insulin and industrial enzymes.
IKEA International A/S →
Active · founded 1943 · Denmark
Based in Denmark, IKEA International A/S is one of the world's top retailers of furniture, home furnishings, and…
Lego A/S →
Active · founded 1944 · Denmark
Managed by the founding company, Lego A/S of Billund, Denmark, the Lego Group consisted of 45 companies which…
Ecco Sko A/S →
Active · founded 1963 · Denmark
Ecco Sko A/S is one of the world's top ten shoemakers and a worldwide leader in the "comfort" shoe segment.
Carlsberg A/S →
Active · founded 1970 · Denmark
Carlsberg A/S is one of the world's largest brewing companies.
Danske Bank Aktieselskab →
Active · founded 1990 · Denmark
Total Assets: DKr 1,539 billion (2001) Stock Exchanges: Copenhagen OTC Ticker Symbol: DNK (Copenhagen), DEAFY…
Sterling European Airlines A/S →
Active · founded 1994 · Denmark
Sterling European Airlines A/S (SEA) is Scandinavia's leading low-fare airline.
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