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Leitz’s History Go back to profile

From to do… to done

A high performance brand of filing and desktop accessories that help you get from to do…to done as quickly and efficiently as possible. This year you can get fit in the office with Sharron Davies and Leitz by registering for our ‘at-your-desk’ exercises. They will keep you in top condition however hard your workload!

In 1913, thirteen separate Swedish businesses, all involved in graphics and related operations, joined together to form SLT.

Through numerous acquisitions, the company grew and its core activities soon included everything from book binding and paper manufacturing, to the printing of stationery, playing cards, maps, forms and printing securities; including share certificates and bonds.

By the early 1960s SLT had an overwhelming number of competing operations and products, and in 1964 a period of dramatic structural change began. Divisions with similar activities were merged and any incompatible operations disposed of.

On August 1, 1970, the group changed its name to Esselte. With high liquidity, vast borrowing potential and an agreed overseas acquisition program, Esselte embarked on a period of dynamic growth; beginning with the acquisition of Benson’s International Systems Ltd, the world’s largest producer of ring binder mechanisms.

Timeline

  • 1976 - Esselte acquires Oxford Pendaflex Corp, a leading U.S. manufacturer of suspension filing systems
  • 1978 - Esselte acquires DYMO Industries Inc, a San Francisco embossing company, which also included the Meto price marking usiness.
  • 1981 - Esselte acquires Letraset Ltd, a world leading supplier of products for graphic design and technical drawing.
  • 1990 - Esselte’s commercial real estate, publishing, book retailing and printing operations are sold.
  • 1992 - The Annual General Meeting approves the demerger of Esselte into two separately listed companies.
  • 1996 - Esselte acquires the Curtis Manufacturing Company, a U.S. Computer Products business; and Karl Bene & Co., Austria’s largest office products supplier.
  • 1997 - Jan Kvarnström is appointed President and CEO of Esselte. A new strategy is developed with a focus on developing the group’s legal, financial and operative structures.
  • 1998 - Esselte acquires several computer products and office product groups including Leitz, the largest office supplies manufacturer in Germany, and CoStar, a U.S. manufacturer of label printers for personal computers. The Nielsen and Bainbridge business is divested.
  • 1999 - The Meto business is distributed to shareholders. Esselte becomes a company focused on office supplies and the head office is moved to the UK. Anders Igel is appointed President and CEO of Esselte.
  • 2000 - Esselte’s profitibility grows. There is an increased focus on the key operating divisions, and operating income is significantly increased. The Monti printing business is divested.
  • 2001 - Esselte is weathering a severe recession by continued operational and business improvements. Cash flow is increasing dramatically. The Letraset graphics business and the Tarifold filing system business are divested. The Curtis business is restructured.
  • 2002 - Esselte becomes a private company, as J.W. Childs public offer to the shareholders of Esselte AB is accepted by shareholders representing 97 percent of the capital and 97 percent of the votes in Esselte. Following the acquisition Magnus Nicolin, formerly an EVP of Esselte, was appointed President and CEO.
 

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