Gabriel 150 years - Flipbook - Page 48
Capturing the niche market
±∫πµ-≤∞∞±
In February ±∫π∑, Gabriel and Kjærs Mølle
tified company were taken. At the same time,
merged to become the new Gabriel group.
this provided the basis for the introduction
The enterprise quickly began to cultivate its
of a more modern, horizontal organisational
particular niche market: high quality uphol-
structure. Reflecting its position as a respon-
stery fabrics for the contract market, the
sible enterprise, Gabriel’s environmental
transport market and the upscale domestic
management has been certified since ±∫∫∑.
furniture market.
In ±∫∫±, the pension funds purchased the
Serious efforts to achieve export success
shares owned by the Gabriel family, thus ob-
began in ±∫πµ. Results were not long in com-
taining a ∑∞% interest in the company. In
ing once the right designs and colour ranges
±∫∫∏, a group of prominent businessmen
had been developed. Over a period of ±∑
bought up the shares held by the pension
years, the percentage of Gabriel’s production
funds.
supplied to export markets increased from
In the Gabriel of the future, Aalborg will
±∂% to ∏∂%. Despite occasional setbacks,
be a centre of know-how, while processing
maintaining a focus on long-term plans has
and production will be carried out by a net-
always quickly had a positive effect.
work of partners all over the world. Gabriel
A trimming of production facilities was
can celebrate its ±∂∞th anniversary following
begun in ±∫πµ. In ±∫ππ, the first steps toward
the best fiscal year in the history of the com-
becoming a fully documented ISO ∫∞∞± cer-
pany.
One of the best-known Gabriel designs at
Focussing on the niche market
that time was Savak, woven of Greenland wool
In ±∫πµ-π∂, all of Gabriel was in Aalborg, the
and designed by Tove Kindt-Larsen in the early
company had a solid financial base, and the
±∫∑∞s. In ≤∞∞±, Savak continues to be a classic,
objective was clear: To achieve a significant
popular design, primarily used for elegant,
international position within the niche market
high quality Danish furniture.
of high quality, woollen upholstery fabrics for
Kjærs Mølle also had important upholstery
the contract market, the upscale domestic fur-
fabrics to offer, for example, Tonus, originally
niture market and the public transport sector.
developed for the manufacturer of office furni-
On ± February ±∫π∑, Gabriel Boligtekstiler
ture, KEVI. This quality fabric has celebrated
A/S and Kjærs Mølles Fabriker A/S merged.
great triumphs all over the world and was later
The new name was Gabriel A/S – a natural de-
taken over by the textile wholesaler, Kvadrat,
cision, considering Gabriel’s solid position in
who over the years added new qualities and a
the furniture trade.
lovely range of colours to the design.
1984-2001
49
