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Ingvar Kamprad

FB results roundup: JCB, IKEA and illycaffe

October 2, 2019

JCB digs into record sales against softening markets, IKEA assembles 5% increase in sales after transformation, American, Chinese sales help brew 39% profit for illycaffe.

JCB digs into record sales against softening markets

Bamford family-controlled manufacturer JCB says growth has stalled, especially in its biggest market India, despite sales increasing by almost a quarter last year.

IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad dies aged 91

January 29, 2018

The famously frugal founder of one of the world’s most iconic retail chains has died in his native Sweden, aged 91.

Known for driving a 1993 Volvo car, trawling flea markets for clothes, and flying economy class only, the IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad peacefully passed away from a short illness at his home in Småland, Sweden on 27 January.

The Great Balancing Act: Keeping control during growth

May 10, 2017

What does it take to start then grow a business into a successful, multi-billion dollar holding yet maintain total family control through the generations? Alison Ebbage reports

What does it take to start then grow a business into a successful, multi-billion dollar holding yet maintain total family control through the generations? Alison Ebbage reports

A growing slice of the pie: Private equity and the family office

September 12, 2016

Private equity has a special pull for families used to running operating businesses. But with record levels of assets committed to private equity funds is it the best asset class to drive returns?

Private equity has a special pull for families used to running operating businesses. But with record levels of assets committed to private equity funds is it the best asset class to drive returns?

The plotline is one that has been played out countless times before. A family has made its wealth in an operating business, has exited and is now running a family office. Do they sit back and take a diversified approach to their wealth or eventually get itchy feet and pour their assets back into the sector they know best?

Ikea's founder lets go of last official role in the business

May 6, 2014

Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of Swedish flat-pack furniture chain Ikea, has relinquished his last formal roles in the business he founded in 1943.

Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of Swedish flat-pack furniture chain Ikea, has relinquished his last formal roles in the business he founded in 1943.

Kamprad, 88, left his roles on the boards of the two foundations that control Ikea's assets in late December last year, but the announcement was only made recently.

Ikea founder moves home to Sweden after 40 years

March 21, 2014

The octogenarian founder of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, has moved back to the home country, where he founded the family business, after four decades abroad.

The octogenarian founder of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, has moved back to the home country, where he founded the family business, after four decades abroad.

Kamprad, 87, quit Sweden in 1973 in protest against the country's high taxes, initially moving to Denmark before settling in Switzerland in 1976.

He first announced his plans in the summer of 2013, but heart and back problems delayed the move according to the Kamprad family's spokesman.

Ikea founder steps down from board, son takes over

June 5, 2013

The founder of Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, has stepped down from the board of Inter Ikea Holding, the holding company of the iconic Swedish flatpack furniture chain.

The founder of Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, has stepped down from the board of Inter Ikea Holding, the holding company of the iconic Swedish flatpack furniture chain. The chairman of the board, Per Ludvigsson, has also stepped down, aged 70, to be replaced by Kamprad’s son Mathias.

In a statement issued by Ikea, the changes in the board are described as a generational shift that has been prepared for over several years.

Kamprad, who turned 87 in March, said in a statement his retirement from the board did not mean he would stop working.

Ikea to become more open as next-gens up involvement

September 25, 2012

Ikea, the Swedish furniture giant founded by Ingvar Kamprad, will become increasingly transparent, the company’s chief executive, Mikael Ohlsson, said just days after it was revealed Kamprad’s three sons are getting more involved in the family business.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Ohlsson, who has headed the retailer since 2009, said he knows Ikea is often regarded as a secretive company.

Family business owners dominate list of billionaires

March 5, 2012

Carlos Slim, who controls Mexican conglomerate Grupo Carso, is the richest person in the world, with a fortune of about $68.5 billion (€51.9 billion).

Leave IKEA - and the old man - alone

September 20, 2011

One can’t help but be fascinated by IKEA. Whether due to a sense of bewilderment that so many millions of people are willing to subject themselves to the bizarre torture of the IKEA shopping process. Or the mystery surrounding the popularity of their restaurant meatballs, which even have their own Facebook page.

One can’t help but be fascinated by IKEA.

Whether due to a sense of bewilderment that so many millions of people are willing to subject themselves to the bizarre torture of the IKEA shopping process. Or the mystery surrounding the popularity of their restaurant meatballs, which even have their own Facebook page.