What began as a modest production of beds, cabinets, chairs, and tables back in 1924 has evolved over the years. Today, Gramrode Møbelfabrik A/S is a recognized player in the Scandinavian markets under the brand constellation Naver Collection, established in 1995.
Gramrode Møbelfabrik is located near Juelsminde and is one half of the brand collaboration Naver Collection, which produces dining tables, chairs, barstools, and lounge chairs. Production still follows traditional techniques today. However, the machinery has evolved significantly since the company was founded 100 years ago. Many of the machines are now highly advanced, yet the techniques remain unchanged. This, combined with skilled cabinetmakers who master their craft, ensures consistently high quality and furniture that lasts for decades.
“The cultural heritage and love for wood have always been essential elements in the development of Gramrode Møbelfabrik A/S. For generations, they have given the company its unique soul, so vital to the craft.”
– Master Cabinetmaker Henning Jørgensen
Founder & Master CabinetmakerOscar Jørgensen
Everything starts small before it can grow – this was also the case when cabinetmaker Oscar Jørgensen mustered the courage to establish Gramrode Furniture Factory back in 1924 in the railway town of Gramrode, just outside Juelsminde.
Oscar Jørgensen completed his apprenticeship under his father, master cabinetmaker H. Jørgensen. He attended several courses at the Danish Technological Institute to develop his skills and competencies in cabinetmaking, and a stay at a folk high school provided him with inspiration that influenced his future work as an independent master cabinetmaker.
In the top-left photo, Oscar Jørgensen (second from the right) is pictured with his cabinetmaker journeymen.
New Furniture for Bedroom and Living Room.Modest by today's standards, considering the cost of new furniture in 1935.
Above is the price list from Gramrode Møbelfabrik in 1935. At first glance, it’s hard not to smile at how modest the cost of new furniture was compared to today’s standards. The price list also reveals the breadth of the collection at the time. Tables and chairs remain the central focus of Gramrode Møbelfabrik’s production today.
The Wingback Chair – A Design from 1954
A sought-after lounge chair from Gramrode Møbelfabrik, Design No. 55, the wingback chair from 1954 boasts strong references to the modern wingback chairs of the future.
Fabric Requirement: 300 cm
Price: DKK 104
The development of the furniture industry in 1924 was marked by significant changes and innovation. Function began to take precedence over form, with furniture designed to be practical and simple, often free of unnecessary ornamentation. Designers aimed to create pieces that reflected the era's demand for functionality and Scandinavian simplicity, influences that also shaped Oscar Jørgensen and Gramrode Møbelfabrik.
Top Image: In 1936, Oscar Jørgensen built a new factory and private residence, visible on the right side of the photo. The new factory provided modern facilities and enabled more efficient production to meet growing demand.
Bottom Image: A glimpse inside the workshop in the 1960s, when production became more modernized.
Gramrode Møbelfabrik’s take on design classics of the 1960s.
Top Image: Design No. 01 – Coffee table in solid wood, crafted from walnut, featuring a slatted shelf for storing magazines and more. Price: DKK 115
Bottom Image: Design No. 03 – Dining chair designed by architect and designer Erik Buch in 1969. A elegant and timeless chair with an upholstered leather seat.
Solid pine wood had it’s greatness from the mid-70s through the 80s.
Solid pine wood had its time of greatness from the mid-70s and throughout the 80s. Particularly, the export markets south of the border, especially Germany, fell in love with the popular furniture from Gramrode Møbelfabrik. This resulted in a busy production line, where the second generation, Bjarne Jørgensen, had taken over the operation and development of the company several years earlier.
Weekly, Gramrode Møbelfabrik dispatched a significant number of chairs and tables made of pine and teak to Danish and German retailers. The design of the Kamin chair (p.4), with its iconic wide seat made of sustainable paper cord or seagrass, was a hit among several popular designs. Designed by furniture designer Tage Poulsen, who was involved in several designs of chairs and tables from Gramrode Møbelfabrik. His design philosophy was simple and succinct – “away with all the superfluous. Decoration for decoration’s sake is far from our needs and dreams”.
Gramrode Møbelfabrik through generations a journey spanning over a century.
1924-1945 / Oscar Jørgensen
Gramrode Møbelfabrik was founded in 1924 by Cabinetmaker Oscar Jørgensen. In the beginning, the production mainly consisted of armchairs and sofa sets with visible wooden frames.
1945-1963 / Sigrid Jørgensen
Oscar Jørgensen’s wife, Sigrid Jørgensen, took over the operation of GramrodeMøbelfabrik after her husband’s sudden passing in 1945. With diligence and dedication, she continued to run
1963-2001 / Bjarne Jørgensen
In 1963, the second generation, Bjarne Jørgensen, took ownership, and at the
same time, the production shifted more towards dining chairs and tables. In the following years, he succeeded in developing a comprehensive chair and table program and export the furniture to several countries, especially Germany.
2001 - / Henning Oscar Jørgensen
In 2001, the third generation, Henning Jørgensen, took ownership of the factory. The complete collection now consists of both dining chairs and dining tables, as well as lounge chairs and barstools based on a unique blend of joinery and design, which today is exported to most parts of the world.
Curious for More...?
We warmly invite you to explore our story in the reading material “A Danish Furniture History Through Generations.”
2024 Marked the 100-Year Anniversary
…with exclusive anniversary editions of select dining tables and chairs, along with a special anniversary gift for our customers!
Proudly produced in Denmar. A deep focus on craftsmanship and design, inherited and refined through generations since 1924.
Expertise remains crucial in our daily operations. Our skilled cabinetmakers consistently strive for high quality in every piece of furniture we create.
Looking for an apprenticeship as a machine joinery trainee?
If you’re interested in applying for an apprenticeship at Gramrode Møbelfabrik, please feel free to send us an unsolicited application via email.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Gl. Landevej 6 • 7130 Juelsminde • Tlf. +45 7568 5050 • gm@gramrode.dk
Oscar Jørgensen, founder of Gramrode Møbelfabrik in 1924. At the top of the right side, you can see one of the catalogues from the time under Oscar Jørgensen. At the bottom on the right, you can see Gramrode Møbelfabrik as it looks today.
The history dates back to 1924
Gramrode Møbelfabrik was founded in 1924. From the beginning, the production mainly consisted of armchairs and sofa groups with visible wooden frames. In 1960 the focus shifted towards dining room furniture in solid wood based on a unique combination of craftsmanship and design. In the coming years Gramrode Møbelfabrik succeeded establishing an extensive chair- and table collection that today is exported to most of the world. It requires great care and skill to process furniture in solid wood. Our cabinetmakers know their craft and take great pride in maintaining the old tradition of the Scandinavian classic cabinet-making craft.
Naver Collection was founded in 1995 by Ebbe Gehl, Søren Nissen, Kristian Vinther, Gramrode Møbelfabrik A/S, and Aksel Kjersgaard A/S. Today, Naver Collection is a partnership between Gramrode Møbelfabrik A/S and Aksel Kjersgaard A/S. Gramrode Møbelfabrik manufactures tables, chairs, barstools and lounge chairs.
The love for wood is passed down from generation to generation
The craftsmanship passed down for generations and the love for wood have always been important elements in the development of the company and have at the same time helped to give the furniture factory the very special soul that is so important in relation to the craft.
The professionalism in daily operations has been important, both in relation to enforcing a high quality, but also in relation to what is possible in the development of new models and production techniques. Today, our furniture is still produced according to the old cabinetmaking techniques. However, the machine park is different than when the company was founded approximately 100 years ago. Many of the machines are high-tech, but the techniques are the same. This, combined with skilled cabinetmakers who know their craft, ensures daily high quality and beautiful furniture that lasts for decades.
Designer Ebbe Gehl
Gramrode Møbelfabrik has worked with the Søren Nissen and Ebbe Gehl for decades. Søren Nissen and Ebbe Gehl are both qualified cabinetmakers from Rud Rasmussen's carpentry in Copenhagen. Later they studied design from the School of Applied Arts, followed by a few years at various design studios and design schools at home and abroad. In 1970, Søren Nissen and Ebbe Gehl entered into a partnership as furniture designers. A partnership, that has been very creative and productive ever since.
Designer Henrik Lehm
In 2005, a collaboration with designer Henrik Lehm began. Henrik Lehm has developed a series of chairs under the names Tiger, Panther, Leopard and Gepard. They are characterized by a stainless steel frame and high seating comfort. The chairs were shown for the first time at the furniture fair in the Bella Center in May 2005 and at the IMM 2006 fair in Cologne with great attention and success. The Tiger chair was later nominated for "Interior innovation award cologne 2006".
Designer Susanne Grønlund
In 2018, Gramrode Møbelfabrik entered into a partnership with Susanne Grønlund. The collaboration initially involved developing an elegant and exclusive chair with great seating comfort. In close collaboration, the Midas chair and later the Athene swivel chair were developed. Over the years, Susanne Grønlund has been responsible for the design and development of a selection of furniture and other design products and has received a number of internationally recognized design awards for her work.
Designer Hans Sandgren Jakobsen
In 2020, Gramrode Møbelfabrik began a collaboration with designer Hans Sandgren Jakobsen. The collaboration originated from Hans Sandgren's development of the Ro desk with Aksel Kjergaard. Han Sandgren Jakobsen continued his work for Gramrode Møbelfabrik and developed the Ro dining table series. A series with several fine subtleties and details, true to the old Scandinavian cabinetmaker traditions without compromising on an elegant and clean expression. Hans Sandgren Jakobsen was originally trained as cabinetmaker (1986) and designer at Denmark's Design School (1990).
In 1963, the second generation, Bjarne Jørgensen, took the ownership and at the same time focused the production to dining room chairs. In the following years, he succeeded in developing an extensive chair program.
In 2001, the third generation Henning Jørgensen took the ownership of Gramrode Møbelfabrik. The entire collection now consisted of both chairs and tables, based on a unique combination of craftsmanship and modern design, which today is exported to most of the world. A distinguishing feature of all three generations is that they are all trained cabinetmaker.
Master cabinetmaker,Henning Jørgensen
Contact information
Gl. Landevej 6
DK-7130 Juelsminde
Tlf: +45 75685050
Email: mh@gramrode.dk
If you want to apply for a job at Gramrode Møbelfabrik, you are welcome to send an unsolicited application to hj@gramrode.dk