The story of Creativ Company
From 2 to 350 employees. This is the very short version of Creativ Company's story, if we describe it in just five words. But between 2 and 350, is the little word 'to', where the real story lies. It describes how the idea of Creativ Company was born, took shape and quickly developed into the ambitious and professional company and workplace we know today.
Creativ Company is born
2000 - 2003
In September 2000, Lotte Littau Kjærgaard and Peter Nørgaard left their shared workplace, a local company specialising in hobby supplies. After only a few days, the two start dreaming about starting their own company, one with a warm and family-like working environment that would offer opportunities to think big, dream, develop and grow. A place where work is not just a livelihood and where the guiding principle is about more than just dollars and cents. Their goal is for the company to be the best in its field. | Creativ Company takes shape in a country property outside Holstebro, where Lotte also lives. Their business plan is to sell products in large quantities, which means they'll need plenty of space. Already after the first year, the accounts show a profit, and the first employees are hired not long after. |
In September 2000, Lotte Littau Kjærgaard and Peter Nørgaard left their shared workplace, a local company specialising in hobby supplies. After only a few days, the two start dreaming about starting their own company, one with a warm and family-like working environment that would offer opportunities to think big, dream, develop and grow. A place where work is not just a livelihood and where the guiding principle is about more than just dollars and cents. Their goal is for the company to be the best in its field.
Creativ Company takes shape in a country property outside Holstebro, where Lotte also lives. Their business plan is to sell products in large quantities, which means they'll need plenty of space. Already after the first year, the accounts show a profit, and the first employees are hired not long after.
Creativ Company grows
2003 | 2005 | 2007 |
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In April 2003, they outgrow their property in the countryside and Creativ Company relocates to the city, moving into a 3,200 m2 building on Niels Kjeldsens Vej in Holstebro. | The company needs even more space for its numerous employees and thousands of different products. In September 2005, a completely new and modern two-storey administration building and a new warehouse on Rasmus Færchs Vej are ready for business. | In March 2007, employees and craftspeople celebrate the grand opening of a new, large 2,150 m2 warehouse. The total of 6,650 m2 means that Creativ Company has the largest storage capacity in its sector. |
Creativ Company vokser
2003
In April 2003, they outgrow their property in the countryside and Creativ Company relocates to the city, moving into a 3,200 m2 building on Niels Kjeldsens Vej in Holstebro.
2005
The company needs even more space for its numerous employees and thousands of different products. In September 2005, a completely new and modern two-storey administration building and a new warehouse on Rasmus Færchs Vej are ready for business.
2007
In March 2007, employees and craftspeople celebrate the grand opening of a new, large 2,150 m2 warehouse. The total of 6,650 m2 means that Creativ Company has the largest storage capacity in its sector.
Creativ Company goes international In 2007, we establish a warehouse and sourcing division in Ningbo, China. We also seriously establish ourselves in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. In September 2009, we open subsidiaries in the UK, Germany, and Netherlands. It is also in 2009 that we open the export division in Holstebro, so that we can now cover markets around the world. |
Creativ Company goes international
In 2007, we establish a warehouse and sourcing division in Ningbo, China. We also seriously establish ourselves in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. In September 2009, we open subsidiaries in the UK, Germany, and Netherlands. It is also in 2009 that we open the export division in Holstebro, so that we can now cover markets around the world.
Our strong people focus pays off
2009 - 2010
MIA Award | Second best in job satisfaction |
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In March 2009, we receive the MIA Award, a corporate award presented by the Danish Institute for Human Rights. We receive the award for 'the company’s significant efforts to promote job satisfaction and equality among employees'. | In 2010, we are awarded the second 'Great Place to Work' in Denmark. |
MIA Award
In March 2009, we receive the MIA Award, a corporate award presented by the Danish Institute for Human Rights. We receive the award for 'the company’s significant efforts to promote job satisfaction and equality among employees'.
Second best in job satisfaction
In 2010, we are awarded the second 'Great Place to Work' in Denmark.
Warehouse expansion
In 2012 we expand our picking warehouse with eight warehouse automated storage machines – with a capacity of 1,000 m2 of shelf space and approx. 200 m of autocruise lanes. This is our largest investment in warehouse logistics development so far and significantly boosts both quality and efficiency. | Over the years, the product range grows steadily and in 2014, we have 15,000 item numbers all under one roof. Yet another extension of 6,500 m2 results in a total of 12,500 m2 under one roof. In the warehouse alone, we now have 7,500 m2 and more than 12,000 pallet spaces. |
In 2012 we expand our picking warehouse with eight warehouse automated storage machines – with a capacity of 1,000 m2 of shelf space and approx. 200 m of autocruise lanes. This is our largest investment in warehouse logistics development so far and significantly boosts both quality and efficiency. Over the years, the product range grows steadily and in 2014, we have 15,000 item numbers all under one roof.
Yet another extension of 6,500 m2 results in a total of 12,500 m2 under one roof. In the warehouse alone, we now have 7,500 m2 and more than 12,000 pallet spaces.
Sales to even more countries In 2015 and 2016, we start selling our products in Spain and Italy. Our products are now available in more than 40 countries around the world. |
Capidea buys into the company After being owner-managed for the first 16 years, Creativ Company decides in 2016 to expand the group of owners to include the private equity fund Capidea, which now has a majority shareholding of 51%. |
Sales to even more countries
In 2015 and 2016, we start selling our products in Spain and Italy. Our products are now available in more than 40 countries around the world.
Capidea buys into the company
After being owner-managed for the first 16 years, Creativ Company decides in 2016 to expand the group of owners to include the private equity fund Capidea, which now has a majority shareholding of 51%.
2018
New warehouses
We once again make our warehouses more efficient. In 2018, we inaugurate 1,200 m2 of new warehouses. A total of 13,700 m2 is now filled with creative products and energetic people.
New members of the CC family
2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
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We buy an additional 65% of shares in the Finnish company Sinelli, where we already owned 25% of shares. Sinelli is Finland’s largest hobby retailer, with nine shops, a webshop and wholesale business. This purchase means we now have 60 new Finnish colleagues in the Creativ Company family. | Our family continues to grow after we purchase the majority shareholding in France’s largest hobby online shop CreaVea. CreaVea sells to customers in France and Spain, which means that we are now well represented in the private customer segment in Southern Europe. | Legeakademiet becomes part of the Creativ Company family – which means we get to add quality toys to our large product portfolio. |
New members of the CC family
2018
We buy an additional 65% of shares in the Finnish company Sinelli, where we already owned 25% of shares. Sinelli is Finland’s largest hobby retailer, with nine shops, a webshop and wholesale business. This purchase means we now have 60 new Finnish colleagues in the Creativ Company family.
2019
Our family continues to grow after we purchase the majority shareholding in France’s largest hobby online shop CreaVea. CreaVea sells to customers in France and Spain, which means that we are now well represented in the private customer segment in Southern Europe.
2020
Legeakademiet becomes part of the Creativ Company family – which means we get to add quality toys to our large product portfolio.
Several pats on the back Best Managed CompaniesIn 2019, we win the award for 'Best Managed Companies', presented by Deloitte in Denmark for the first time. We win again in 2023. Bedste export-case When Denmark’s best online shops are named by The Association of Danish Internet Trading (FDIH), we come in third in the 'Best Export Case' category. |
Several pats on the back
Best Managed CompaniesIn 2019, we win the award for 'Best Managed Companies', presented by Deloitte in Denmark for the first time. We win again in 2023.
Bedste export-case
When Denmark’s best online shops are named by The Association of Danish Internet Trading (FDIH), we come in third in the 'Best Export Case' category.
New CEO and new goals
2020
In 2020, Creativ Company celebrates its 20th anniversary and welcomes a new director. Jakob Wulff Moeskjær is hired to develop, structure, and build on the company’s | foundation. Jakob also plants to focus on our results and raise our ambitions for the continued development and growth of our business. |
In 2020, Creativ Company celebrates its 20th anniversary and welcomes a new director. Jakob Wulff Moeskjær is hired to develop, structure, and build on the company’s foundation. Jakob also plants to focus on our results and raise our ambitions for the continued development and growth of our business.
The perfect match – the family expands again
2021
Creativ Company and AV Form both care deeply about the world of play, learning, creativity and development in children and young people. In early 2021, Creativ Company and AV Form therefore merge and become one company – which means | expanding our range to include toys. This acquisition strengthens our position in schools and institutions – together we boast almost 70 years of knowledge and experience to draw on. |
Creativ Company and AV Form both care deeply about the world of play, learning, creativity and development in children and young people. In early 2021, Creativ Company and AV Form therefore merge and become one company – which means expanding our range to include toys. This acquisition strengthens our position in schools and institutions – together we boast almost 70 years of knowledge and experience to draw on.
Fully automated warehouse In the summer of 2021, we install our new state-of-the-art logistics system, AutoStore, in record time. In addition to increased flexibility, the new system also improves delivery reliability and reduces dispatch errors. |
Fully automated warehouse
In the summer of 2021, we install our new state-of-the-art logistics system, AutoStore, in record time. In addition to increased flexibility, the new system also improves delivery reliability and reduces dispatch errors.
Creativ Company today We sell hobby and craft supplies, as well as toys, to customers in over 46 countries and have subsidiaries and sales companies in nine European countries. We are a fast-paced, ambitious, and innovative company with more than 350 employees and a turnover of over DKK 600 million. |
Creativ Company today
We sell hobby and craft supplies, as well as toys, to customers in over 46 countries and have subsidiaries and sales companies in nine European countries. We are a fast-paced, ambitious, and innovative company with more than 350 employees and a turnover of over DKK 600 million.