History

1954

Paul Elvstrøm started his own sail loft, Elvström Dinghy Sails with only one sewing machine in the basement of his childhood home in Northern Copenhagen. Our signature, the red crown was designed by Paul Elvstrøm himself at this early stage and is still today our company logo.

1976

Paul Elvstrøm sold his majority holding in Elvstrøm Sails to focus fully on design and production of boats and surfboards under the name of Elvstrøm/Kjaerulff Yachtdesign. The new owners, Hans Fogh and Henning Olsen established one of the most modern sailmaking facilities in Aabenraa, Denmark; Fogh-Sails Europe A/S.

1979

Henning Olsen took over Elvstrøm Sails in Hørsholm and Fogh Sails changed name to Elvstrøm Sails with Henning Olsen as the owner. Paul Elvstrøm himself stayed in the company as designer and consultant whereas Hans Fogh withdrew.

1980

Henning Olsen died and left the management of Elvstrøm Sails to his son Claus Olsen. Throughout the coming years product development and marketing was intensified with a close relationship to some of the best sailors in international sailing.

From 1999-2001

The double Olympic Gold-winner Jesper Bank became a member of the board of directors but also operated as Sales Director.

2002

Elvstrøm Sails bought American sailmakers Sobstad who brought with them the Genesis technology which was the first generation of what is today the unique EPEX technology.

2008

Jesper Bank rejoins the Elvstrøm Team as Partner, after racing in the America's Cup and as for today Jesper is Commercial Director and head of Research and Development at Elvstrøm Sails. He spends most of his time driving and developing the Elvstrøm SuperYacht business from one of the top European sailing hubs, Mallorca.

2016

On 7 December 2016 Paul Elvstrøm died at the age of 88. At Elvstrøm Sails we will do our outmost to carry on his legacy with his spirit and based on his values, making sure Paul Elvstrøm´s DNA stays in our products and our company for the future

2017

Elvstrøm Sails A/S has acquired all the activities of its French sibling, Elvstrøm Sails Sarl, effective as of August 28, 2017. The transaction will unify the two Elvstrøm companies after more than 50 years separation and create the 2nd biggest sail maker in the world.

2020

Nic Johansen, son of Erik Johansen who founded Elvstrøm Dingy Sails together with Paul Elvstrøm in 1954, has passed away. Nic was an authority of the sail making industry, having worked most of his life within the industry, in one capacity or another.

2022

Elvstrøm Sails acquires the activities at the tunesian factory, STEB. STEB employs around 200 people in total.

Today

The company employs close to 300 people operating from the headquarters in Aabenraa, Denmark and the subsidiaries in France, England and Tunesia. In addition to that Elvstrøm Sails is represented by over 60 qualified SailPoints, mainly on the European continent – but with an ever increasing presence outside Europe. In 2016 Elvstrøm Sails entered the American market.

As an active player since 1954 we take pride in being one of the oldest sailmakers in the world.

“When sailing became Olympic, the interest of the press started. In 1948, people didn't know what sailing was all about. In 1952, they knew that there was something called sailing. In 1956, they finally managed to keep up with the Olympic results - and in 1960, they knew all about sailing”, Paul Elvstrøm explained in the middle of 2013 in connection with the 100 years anniversary of “Dansk Sejlunion”.