Ikea

HISTORY

IKEA history - how it all began

The following history shows how over six decades IKEA went from the woods of southern Sweden to being a major retail experience in 40 countries/territories around the world.

The IKEA story begins in 1926 when founder Ingvar Kampar ad is born in Småland in southern Sweden. He is raised on 'Elmtaryd', a farm near the small village of Agunnaryd. Even as a young boy Ingvar knows he wants to develop a business.

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1920s

At the age of five Ingvar Kampar ad starts selling matches to his nearby neighbours and by the time he is seven, he starts selling further afield, using his bicycle. He finds that he can buy matches in bulk cheaply in Stockholm and re-sell them individually at a very low price but still make a good profit. From matches he expands to selling flower seeds, greeting cards, Christmas tree decorations, and later pencils and ball-point pens.

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1940s-1950s

The roots of a furniture dealer. Ingvar Kampar ad is entrepreneurial in developing IKEA into a furniture retailer. This period sees the exploration of furniture design, self assembly, advertising, the use of a catalogue and a showroom to reach the many people.

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1960s-1970s

The IKEA concept starts to take shape. New IKEA stores open and hero products are developed such as POÄNG, KLIPPAN and BILLY bookcase. It is a time where concept takes shape and is documented in Ingvar Kampar's The Testament of a Furniture Dealer.

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1980s

IKEA expands dramatically into new markets such as USA, Italy, France and the UK. More IKEA classics arrive such as LACK and MOMENT. IKEA begins to take the form of today's modern IKEA.

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1990s

IKEA grows even more. Children's IKEA is introduced and the focus is on home furnishing solutions to meet the needs of families with children. The IKEA Group is formed and responsibility for people and the environment is seen as a prerequisite for doing good business.

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2000s

IKEA expands into even more markets such as Japan and Russia. Everything for the bedroom and kitchen is explored and presented in co-ordinated furnishing solutions. This period also sees the successes of several partnerships regarding social and environmental projects.

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IKEA home furnishing products must be safe, from both a health and environment perspective. Our designers, product developers and technicians take into account safety, quality and environmental impact at every stage of the new product's development.

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IKEA and the new EU legislation on chemicals, REACH

IKEA aims to refrain from the use of chemicals and substances that can be harmful to people and the environment. IKEA welcomes the new EU REACH legislation on chemicals and substances which is in line with the IKEA precautionary approach to chemicals. All IKEA products for all markets, globally, shall comply with the chemical restrictions in the REACH legislation.

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Environmental design

When developing products, we first decide on the price tag the item will have when sold in IKEA stores. However, in offering low prices we must never compromise the quality or safety of IKEA products. Designers, product developers and technicians must consider a product's safety, quality and environmental aspects, from the initial design stage throughout its life cycle. IKEA uses the "e-wheel" to understand and evaluate the environmental impact of our products. The "e-wheel" has several checkpoints, which are divided into four phases: raw material, manufacturing, product use and end of life.

Environmental design

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Efficient use of materials

IKEA believes in using the fewest resources to make the best possible products, without having a negative impact on their functionality or appearance. The main raw materials used in IKEA products are wood, cotton, metal, plastic, glass and rattan and we work towards using as many renewable and recyclable materials as possible.

Efficient use of materials

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Minimising waste

IKEA works actively to reduce waste in manufacturing. Where possible, waste from one manufacturing process should be used in the production of other items. IKEA recycles large quantities of material, such as cardboard, paper, plastic, wood, metal and glass.

Most IKEA stores provide collection points for customers to return waste, such as electrical and electronic equipment, discarded packaging, spent batteries and low-energy bulbs, for recycling.

IKEA attempts to repair products rather than simply discarding them. These products are used as spare parts or sold at reduced prices in specially designated areas of the store.

Minimising waste

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Making home furnishing products safe

IKEA applies the precautionary principle with regards to the use of chemicals and other potentially hazardous substances in our products and their impact on the health of our customers and the environment. For example, in instances where local laws are strengthened regarding the use of chemicals, we strive to adopt the new requirements in other countries where we do business.

Making home furnishing products safe