Ingvar Kamprad, The Visionary Founder of IKEA
Ingvar Kamprad was a Swedish businessman, the founder of one of the world’s most iconic furniture stores, IKEA. He was born in Sweden in 1926 and eventually passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of delivering affordable quality furniture to the world. Along with his innovative approach to manufacturing furniture, his unique and humble personality endeared him to many.
Early Life
Ingvar Kamprad was born in 1926, in Pjätteryd, a small village in Sweden. His parents were distant lands owners, and in his youth, he was a high-achieving student. IKEA’s founder had a budding business acumen from a young age and was successfully selling matchboxes to his neighborhood at the age of five. He went on to attend school in Stockholm in 1941, but felt drawn to entrepreneurship opportunities and soon dropped out to pursue his interests full-time.
Creating a Global Retail Phenomenon
Ingvar Kamprad found success quickly. In 1943, at the age of 17, he established a mail-order service business specializing in kitchen accessories and small furniture items. He named it IKEA, an acronym for his name and part of his family farm: Ingvar, Kamprad, Elmtaryd, Agunnaryd. By 1948, his enterprise had begun to sell in large enough quantities to merit opening a shop in Norway. Within a few years, Ingvar’s firm added other countries like Switzerland and Denmark to its growing customer base.
In 1955, he returned to Sweden and opened the first IKEA store in the city of Almhult. Impressively, his tiny shop sold a total of 11,000 products in its first year. That same year, he created the now ubiquitous flat-packed furniture. After setting up strong business models and foundations, Ingvar opened several more stores in Europe, which led to IKEA starting to appear across the globe. By 2019, the international retail giants had 440 stores in over 50 countries.
Leadership Style
Due to his stellar success, Ingvar was praised for his leadership style and business acumen. He kept his company secure; even in times of trouble, from a legal point of view, avoiding any charges or scandals. He believed in the power of humbleness; he kept his company’s headquarters in his hometown of Almhult, Sweden, and traveled in economy class to keep costs low.
Throughout his decades of leadership, Ingvar also stayed firm in his values. Apart from the business, IKEA was a strong advocate of taking care of the environment, sustainability, and reducing its carbon footprint. It also recognized equal opportunities regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.
Retirement and Legacy
In 1986, at the age of 60, Ingvar officially retired. However, he proceeded to stay on in an advisory role within the company, until 1988. In 2018, he passed away at the age of 91, leaving behind his contribution to business and global retail, as well as a special sentiment in the hearts of IKEA shoppers.
The Impressive Legacy of Ingvar Kamprad
It’s clear that Ingvar Kamprad was an exceptional figure in business and retail history. He was a strong leader, created one of the world’s largest furniture stores, and was an advocate for corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
Achievements
IKEA’s founder has plenty of accomplishments under his belt. Here are some of his most remarkable achievements:
â—Ź Creating the first IKEA storefront in 1955, in Almhult, Sweden
â—Ź Inventing the key image of flat-packed furniture
● Leading the company through a tricky legal period without any hits to the company’s reputation
â—Ź Transforming IKEA into a global brand and retailer, with 438 stores in 50 countries
â—Ź Advocating for sustainability and corporate social responsibility
Winning Awards
Ingvar was the recipient of numerous awards for his efforts in the business world. These include:
â—Ź The Harvey D. Fuller Award from the American Home Furnishings Alliance
â—Ź The Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Vasa from the Swedish King
â—Ź The 2001 Plaques of Appreciation Award from the Global Orphanage Project
â—Ź The French Legion of Honor
â—Ź The SAB Award by FranklinCovey
It’s no surprise that Ingvar Kamprad’s name is remembered fondly in business circles. He changed the face of the global furniture industry by providing high-quality and affordable furniture on a large scale until shortly before his passing. His legacy endures, and his achievements are lauded today.
