| Figgjo Kraftselskap AS is founded by the entrepreneurs Harald Lima and Sigurd Figved. Production of flintware based on local clay and energy from the companys own power plant begins. The power plant was originally started by the local farmers in 1918. The first official financial statement shows a surplus of NOK 9,806.07! |
| | The first tunnel kiln is put into operation around Christmas 1946 and is still used as a glazing kiln. The designer Ragnar Grimsrud is hired as general manager and joins the companys design and decoration department. Grimsrud will dominate product development at Figgjo for several decades. Finnish designers participate in product development, the first use of outside designers at Figgjo AS. |
| | Conversion to faience production began in 1947. The company changes its name to Figgjo Fajance AS. |
| | The first export sales to Denmark and Britain. Tunnel kiln no. 2 is put into operation. Although still used as a bisque kiln, it will be dismantled for good in 2000. |
| | At this time Figgjo Fajance AS has over 330 employees and plays an important role in business and working life in Figgjo and the surrounding region. China imports increase perceptibly. Figgjo Fajances sales stagnate and workforce reductions begin. This workforce reduction has more or less continued since then, even in prosperous times. As of today Figgjo AS has 180 employees. |
| | Conversion to production of vitreous china, with nepheline syenite from Stjernøy. Vitreous china, an American formulation, was developed especially for food service environments, which Figgjo at this time sees as an expanding part of the market for its products. Figgjos products are made of vitreous china today as well. |
| | Grimsrud has completed the development of the 35 series, which is introduced to the market. This is a series with all the characteristics demanded by food service: stacking, narrow rims, large eating surfaces and gutter rims. Together with its clean lines, they win for the 35 series the Norwegian Design Award in 1969 and establish Figgjo as a key supplier to the food service market. Today the 35 series is still the series Figgjo sells the most of in number, if not in value! |
| | A failed attempt at producing bone china is passed by in silence. At this point, sales to hotels are only 5% of the total. Transition to the use of roller machines (jiggers) for plate production. |
| | Figgjo Fajance AS merges with its stiffest competitor, Stavangerflint. The merged company has approx. 500 employees, with sales of around NOK 20 million. The company is one of the largest employers in the region. As expected, the merger leads to a period of rationalisation and good results! |
| | Merger negotiations with Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik begin....and end. |
| | Stavangerflint is closed down, and all production is consolidated in Figgjo. The company changes its name again, this time to the current name, Figgjo AS! |
| | The current product developer Olav Joa, is hired, and soon is promoted to Product Deveopment Manager. He plays a key role in developing the next design series, which takes Figgjo from purely functional products to also including an exciting, original, yet still timeless idiom.. |
| | After three years development, the Classic series is launched. Although the plates are based on an older model, they are made lighter in weight. New cups and other accessories are developed for the food service market. This series has also been specifically developed for export markets. The Relieff series is also launched, which is based on Classic series. With its use of recessed embossing, something that wears well, the Relieff series represents for Figgjo and the food service industry a new way to decorate china. The decorations design has a simple and modern line. This is particularly valued by chefs and industry people who wanted an alternative to traditional patterns, which easily divert attention from the food. This series is still one of Figgjos best-sellers. |
| | The Plaza series is launched. Developed in collaboration with the project management of the Oslo Plaza Hotel, the series was first used when the hotel opened. The last year for the production of flintware. From this time Figgjo produces vitreous china exclusively. |
| | The Menuett series is launched. This has a romantic embossing and a small product range: a niche product then as now. |
| | Figgjo AS turns 50, an event marked by grand festivities at Figgjo. A company museum and a new, upgraded factory shop open. The Vivaldi pattern is launched. This pattern is a great success for Figgjo in the private household market, even though it was developed for a café in Paris! |
| | Figgjo AS is certified in accordance with the ISO 9001 quality system. Figgjo decides to put all its resources into the professional market and tones down its involvement in the private household market. Since then this strategy has continued and intensified. |
| | The Verde series is launched. This is Johan Verdes winning design for the Norwegian Governments design competition for china for the Government Administration Complex. Figgjo was contracted to produce this series and market it to other users. The Verde series has a modern, simple design, with a smooth transition from rim to eating surface. This series is important for marketing Figgjo as a design company. |
| | Stavanger Investering AS, which in turn is owned by Ole Rugland, acquires all the shares in the company. A contract is signed with Duni AB for producing airline china. This does not turn out as marvellously as hoped. |
| | The launch of the Europa design series, originally developed for the upper ends of the hotel and restaurant segments. This series is based on the idea that the base products (plates and cups) should have classic, timeless forms, whereas the series top products should have a modern idiom. Close collaboration with people in the industry also ensures that the products also function well in the production process in the modern kitchen. Therefore the Europa series has a wide product line to meet the customers needs for differentiation. The Europa series enables Figgjo to give the market possibilities for variation, which are highly valued. Figgjo begins to employ pressure casting as a production technique, greatly enhancing the potential for exciting and precise product design. |
| | The Gastronorm series is relaunched, adapted to the Gastronorm standard modules, which are used in food service for fittings, kitchen machines and equipment. The relaunch takes the form of an expansion of the original series from the early 1980s with a new form and more products. Today the Gastronorm series is a strong product with a large market share. Conversion of decoration from underglaze to inglaze. Figgjo wins many prestigious contracts this year, with Oslo City Hall probably ranking highest. |
| | The year is dominated by developing its brand name and preparing a technology project with a budget of NOK 25 million. Results advance for the third year in a row. |
| Figgjo looks forward to new challenges in the professional kitchen, with new technology, a new trademark, a new dealer structure and new products!
In November Figgjo wins Norway’s first Honours Award for Design Excellence from the Norwegian Design Council for its new corporate graphic image and the tray series Figgjo Form 1 2 3. |
| | Figgjo celebrates its sixtieth anniversary by publishing a comprehensive commemorative book, which received an award in the Norwegian Graphic Designers’ and Illustrators’ prestigious competition “The Most Beautiful Books of the Year”, in the category non-fiction and reference works. The Anniversary Product of the Year, Figgjo Pyramide, also wins the Award for Design Excellence from the Norwegian Design Council. |
| | Figgjo is expanding into new markets such as the UK, Germany and Japan. It is having great success with Figgjo Front, a unique porcelain series that unites most of the innovative products under the slogan of rethink china, challenging the users to untrammelled creativity. In July, Figgjo Form 1 2 3 was awarded the prestigious international ‘red dot’ design award. Product launches in February and September are among the biggest ever – the most important investments are without doubt the accessory series Figgjo Spir, designed by Johan Verde, and the basic series Figgjo Ting, developed by Ingegerd Råman for Telenors new headquarters at Fornebu. On Design Day Figgjo was awarded two new distinctions, the Award for Design Excellence (Merket for God Design), for Figgjo Ting and the unconventional plate Figgjo Planet 40, designed by Jens Olav Hetland and part of the Figgjo Front series. Financially, however, the year saw a sharp reverse after many years of positive trends…… |
| | On the other hand, 2003 had been a financially very successful year for Figgjo AS. In addition the company was the only Norwegian recipient of the ‘red dot’ design prize for Figgjo Planet 40. Figgjo AS was also awarded the Design Excellence award, this time for Figgjo Spir. The series was also nominated for the Honours Award for Design Excellence (Hedersprisen For God Design), but failed to win it. The exhibition ‘100% Norway’, held in London, presented leading Scandinavian contemporary design, with a strong Figgjo presence. Figgjo AS is certified according to Environmental Management Standard NS-EN ISO 14001:1996. |
| | The year 2004 started with the German distribution being further extended by the Pentagast chain and Radius being chosen as distributor for Russia – both major players in their markets. Later that year Spain, France, Italy and Luxemburg also became regular Figgjo countries. New Figgjo Front products were constantly being launched, and two of them – Figgjo Egg designed by Jens Olav Hetland and Figgjo Hval designed by Olav Joa, won the Award for Design Excellence. Figgjo is now one of Norway’s leading design companies, with a total of ten Awards for Design Excellence, of which eight were awarded since 2000. The year was the best ever for Figgjo, largely because of the huge order from the luxury hotel Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. |
| | Spring launch includes 3 new products in the Figgjo Front series; the new show plate Figgjo Flat and the expansion of Figgjo Konkav with 2 smaller plates. The autumn product launch from Figgjo has a lot to show. It is the most substantial and probably most important launch in several years. The highlights are the new unique hotel and restaurant series Figgjo Grad, and a new classical tea and coffee series. Figgjo also launch an integrated buffet solution - including a number of new buffet and accessory products. Figgjo Front is also expanded with two items: an even larger Figgjo Form tray and Figgjo Svai. There has also been developed new marketing material and three new brochures: Figgjo Hotel & Restaurant, Figgjo Buffet and Figgjo Functional. A new patrner for The Czech Republic is nominated; Sving MB. |
| Figgjo launches new internet site and offers its products for retail sales on the new Web Store.
Figgjo is continuing to work on its strategy focusing on the professional kitchen. We are awareded the contract to deliver the new official chinaware of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry’s order is one of the largest ever received by Figgjo and is of high strategic importance. The order provides direct contact with an important and discriminating buyer like the Norwegian government and broad international visibility.
Figgjo signs a contract to deliver chinaware to the well known hotel chain Westin Hotels & Resorts new hotel in Beijing, China. Figgjo views the high end market in China as a highly interesting and is proud to be able to compete within the highly intensive industry of chinaware in a country that is the world’s largest producer of chinaware and has competitive advantage with wages and expenses.
Figgjo AS has been chosen to deliver chinaware to the VIP facility at the Wembley National Stadium Ltd. in London. Figgjo has experienced tremendous growth during the last years in Norway and abroad. The opportunity to deliver products to Wembley Stadium is highly significant for Figgjo and in increasing brand awareness.
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| Figgjo is proud to once again receive a design award from the Norwegian Design Council. Figgjo AS has this year received awards for the products Figgjo Plattform and Figgjo Svai.
Figgjo is chosen as The Company of the Year, 2007 by Næringsforeningen, the trade association in the Stavanger region in cooperation with Handelsbanken (commercial bank). This distinction is an acknowledgment of Figgo’s market position and the co-workers effort as well as the strategic focus on product development and design.
Figgjo signs an agreement with GRESS-gruppen May 2007. GRESS-gruppen is the largest purchasing union within Norwegian professional kitchen. The agreement gives Figgjo the opportunity to sell chinaware to Rica Hotels AS, Norlandia Hotels & Resorts and Hurtigruten Group ASA who are all members of GRESS-gruppen.
Anders Thingbø is hired as the Managing Director for Figgjo. Thingbø enters into this position after Per Arne Jensen, who ends his career at Figgjo after 7 years.
We continue to show our constant commitment to the professional kitchen with its delivery of innovative products. With our new series Figgjo Front Dining, Figgjo is now stepping into a new era and new landscape – fine dining.
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| Figgjo is chosen as a partner and supplier of chinaware for the European Championship in culinary art - Bocuse d’Or Europe 2008. The contest will be arranged for the first time in 2008 and will take place in Stavanger. It is an honour for Figgjo that leading chefs in Europe will compete on Figgjo’s chinaware in this prestigious contest.
Figgjo signs an agreement with Compass Group PLC. Compass Group is the largest catering and support service provider in the world. The agreement provides Figgjo with the opportunity to sell chinaware to Compass Group through the GRESS agreement.
Figgjo signs an exclusive sponsor agreement with the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), a global network of chefs associations with 8 million members in 72 countries. Figgjo will be the exclusive partner of chinaware to all culinary competitions held by WACS until 2012.
Figgjo AS is allocated the “Erling Skjalgsson-prisen” which is the Export Award for 2007. The award is an acknowledgment of Figgjo’s strategy and long term efforts in targeting high competition markets outside Norway.
Figgjo receives the Productdevelopment Award by Teknologiforum Rogaland in Norway.
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| Figgjo presents the largest launch of standard decorations for years. We are presenting 9 new stunning and inspiring standard decorations developed by Figgjo’s own designers!
Figgjo delivers porcelain to Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel in Oslo, which is the largest hotell in Norway. Our in-house designers have developed a unique décor on products that are launched within the recent years. This is a prestigious delivery for Figgjo and it confirms our leading position as a chinaware supplier to the professional market.
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