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Vermund Larsen
– Founder of VELA

Vermund Larsen A/S is a Danish, family-owned company established in 1935 by Vermund Larsen. Despite his passing in 1970, his innovative spirit lives on.

With a degree in interior design, Vermund Larsen was a true entrepreneur and one of the pioneers of ergonomic office chairs. He was passionate about design, shape, and functionality, emphasizing comfortable seating as a central theme in his creations.

History

Turning Vision into Reality

Vermund Larsen’s imaginative ideas and visionary thinking have left a lasting impact on VELA over the years. He transformed the office chair landscape by pioneering the use of gas springs for height adjustment. A decade after his passing, his sons took it a step further by introducing electrical height adjusters, making height customization accessible to all.

Today, the company remains family-owned and committed to crafting beautifully designed and ergonomically sound chairs. With two primary focuses in the US, the company emphasizes design, functionality, and top-notch quality.

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History

Important historical events

History

1935

Vermund Larsen A/S was established in Aalborg, Denmark, by Vermund Larsen. Our brand name, VELA, is a blend of the initial letters from the founder’s first and last name—VErmund and LArsen

History

1938

Vermund Larsen restructured the factory for furniture manufacturing and introduced the first chairs.

1948

Inspired by “The Sitting Position – and Chairs for it” by Dr. Med. Snorrason from a Copenhagen hospital, VELA commences the production of ergonomic furniture.

History

1961

Vermund Larsen introduces the gas cartridge for chair height adjustment. The inauguration of the present-day factory takes place in Aalborg, Denmark.

History

The 1960s

A brake is affixed to an office chair featuring four wheels, giving rise to the concept of the VELA Chair with a brake.

History

1970

Vermund Larsen passes away, and his twin sons, Stig and Gorm Larsen, assume company control.

History

1970

A line production was set up for what we now recognize as the VELA Independence Chair.

History

1981

As an industry pioneer, VELA creates a chair with electric height adjustment.

History

1992

VELA becomes the first company worldwide to introduce a bariatric office chair featuring a brake, designed to support individuals weighing up to 440 pounds. Today, it’s recognized as the VELA Epic chair.

History

2018

VELA achieves Factline certification as both VELA and our supply chain fulfill the UN’s Global Compact standards. These ethical guidelines encompass human rights, working conditions, the environment, and anti-corruption measures.

History

2019

VELA attains ISO certification for Quality Management (ISO 9001) and Environmental Management (ISO 14001)

History

2020

We introduce a bariatric VELA Chair designed to accommodate individuals weighing up to 660 pounds – The VELA Epic Plus Chair.

History

2020

We introduced the current lineup of VELA Independence Chairs. These chairs enhance user independence, whether at home or work. With a contemporary design, they focus on comfort, support, and user-friendly functions.

History

2023

VELA acquires Enable Me LLC, a long-standing distributor of VELA chairs in the USA. This acquisition is a strategic move to establish a more substantial presence in the American market.

History

2024

We earned the Great Place to Work (GPTW) certification. It is awarded when an unbiased employee survey garners a satisfaction score of 70% or higher. VELA secures this certification with an impressive satisfaction score of 92%.

In May 2024, VELA was once again certified as a Great Place to Work®️ for 2024-2025, with a two per cent increase, achieving a satisfaction score of 94%.

The story continues…