Ikea's founder Ingvar Kamprad died last Saturday at home. He became 91 years old. One of Sweden's largest entrepreneurs has gone out of time, and the life work he's leaving is worth SEK 350 billion.
Ingvar Kamprad would have completed 92 years in March, but died last Saturday at his farm outside Älmhult.
"It's just sad, but at the same time, you are pleased to have a long and contentious life. I think he has had a lot of fun during the construction of Ikea," says Lars-Johan Jarnheimer, Chairman of Ingka Group, which is Ikea's parent company.
You knew each other well - how would you describe him?
"He was one of the largest entrepreneurs in the 1900s, perhaps even the largest. We have some of us in the meantime been iconic and Ingvar is one of them." His friend Erling Persson was also of the same scrap and card. "
Lars-Johan Jarnheimer tells Ingvar Kamprad into the last one had a strong commitment to Ikea, and future vision for the furniture giant.
"Yes, last time I met him in November. He has a great sense of detail and curiosity as a child, even though he was over 90. I think that is also an important feature of running such a company. "
Ingvar Kamprad moved back to Sweden a few years ago and settled on the farm in Bölsö in Stenbrohult's parish in Småland.
What happens now with Ikea?
"I do not think anything is happening. It's business as usual."
Lars-Johan Jarnheimer, who is thus Chairman of the Parent Company of the Ikea Group with 149,000 employees, notes that Ingvar Kamprad's thoughts and work continue. CEO Jesper Brodin and other senior executives are educated by the legendary smiles.
"Many in the management have been there for over 20 years and have received Ingvars vaccine for many years and it's important that any virus should bite it," says Lars-Johan Jarnheimer, adding:
"Obviously, you will miss Ingvar, but what we can do is to honor him by continuing his efforts to push prices and make the furniture even better."
Ingvar Kamprad was founded in Ikea in 1943. 75 years later, sales totaled SEK 350 billion. The group has 403 department stores in 43 countries.
The parent company Ingka Holding in Holland is owned by the Ingka Foundation. While rights are in Inter Ikea.
Ingvar Kamprad has been ranked several times as Sweden's richest man and one of the richest in the world.
Milestones in Ingvar Kamprad's life and for Ikea:
1926: Ingvar Kamprad is born March 30 in Pjättyd's church near Älmhult.
1933: The parents Feodor and Berta Kamprad move the family to the farm Elmtaryd.
1943: At the time of the Second World War, it started when 17-year-old and dismissed Ingvar Kamprad Ikea. The initials represent the first letter of his first and last name, the farm he lived on, respectively, the name of the parish the farm was in - Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd. In the first few years, Christmas cards, seeds, pens and nylon stockings were sold by mail order.
1948: Furniture manufacture was a bishop of many farmers in Småland. For the first time, Ikea began to sell furniture. The breadth of the assortment became a success and the furniture eventually sold the best.
1950: Marries Kerstin Wadling. They adopt a daughter, Annika. Marriage ends with divorce 1961.
1951: The first annual Ikeamöbel catalog is published in Sweden. One million kronor in annual sales is passed.
1953: A furniture exhibition opens in Älmhult, where customers can see and experience the products before ordering.
1955: Ikea begins to design own furniture. Eventually, flat packages and self-assembly become important parts of the concept.
1958: 32 years old, he opens the first Ikeavaru house in Älmhult - a revolution in the furniture industry. Initially, many were skeptical of a large department store in the Småland forest, but the combination of attractive furniture at low prices prompted customers to flee to the small town.
1963: Marries Margaretha Stennert. They eventually get three sons, Peter, Jonas and Mathias.
1965: The department store in Kungens Kurva in Stockholm opens. It burns down 1970.
1971: Refurbishment of the department store in Kungens Kurva. Will be the start of the new Ikea concept, including pick-up and big restaurant. Still a flagship store in the Ikea group.
1973: Tax and inheritance causes the Kamprad family to emigrate to Denmark. The first department store outside the Nordic region is opened in Switzerland.
1976: Publishing the scripture "A Furniture Dealers' Testament" in an effort to preserve the Ikea culture. Contains nine theses. The last reads: "Most of the time is still untouched. Wonderful future! "
1978: The Kamprad family moves again, this time to Switzerland.
1982: Ikea becomes foundation-owned.
1986: 43 years after the start, Ingvar Kamprad ceases as CEO. Submitted by Anders Moberg, a smilight with many years in Ikea. Turnover reaches SEK 10 billion.
The empire has been divided into three legally separate parts, Inter Ikea Group, Ingka Group and Ikano Group. Ikano is the only part that remains wholly owned by the Kamprad family.
1991: The Interogo Foundation is started in Liechtenstein and becomes the final owner of Inter Ikea. The aim is to ensure independence and a long life for the group and ultimately for the Ikea concept.
1994: The newspaper Expressen revealed that Ingvar Kamprad in the 1940s and 1950s was a member of the fascist organization Nysvenska movement. Attention grew and Ingvar Kamprad called in a letter to the employees this for the biggest mistake of his life.
1998: Turnover reaches SEK 50 billion.
1999: Anders Dahlvig, who previously served as Ingvar Kamprad's assistant, takes over as CEO.
2000: The first department store opens in Russia.
2009: Mikael Ohlsson takes over as CEO
2011: The wife Margaretha Kamprad dies.
The journalist Elisabeth Åsbrink reveals in a book that the Swedish security police established an act about Ingvar Kamprad titled "Nazi" and stated that he was active in the Nazi party SSS during World War II.
SVT's "Mission Review" revealed new facts about the Ikea sphere structure, among other things, that the Kamprad family via a foundation in Liechtenstein, Interogo, controls Inter Ikea and thus Ikea's brand and concept.
Starts the Kamprad Foundation with its registered office in Växjö.
2013: Ingvar Kamprad leaves the boards of both Inter Ikea Group, which owns Ikea's brand, and in the ownership foundation of Interogo. Son Mathias Kamprad will act as chairman of Inter Ikea Group.
Peter Agnefjäll takes over as CEO of Ikea
2014: Ingvar Kamprad leaves Switzerland where he lived in Epalinges just outside Lausanne overlooking Lake Geneva and moved back Småland and the farm in Liatorp outside Älmhult.
2015: Ikea and Ikea Foundation announce that € 1 billion will be spent on climate action