Ingvar Kamprad
Way to success

17 yrs (1943)
His father gave him a gift for succeeding in his studies. The gift was used to establish his own business. The name IKEA was formed from the founder's initials (I.K.) plus the first letters of Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the farm and village where he grew up. IKEA originally sold pens, wallets, picture frames, table runners, watches, jewelery and nylon stockings – whatever Ingvar found a need for that he could fill with a product at a reduced price. 

19 yrs (1945)
The first IKEA advertisements appear in local newspapers. When Ingvar Kamprad outgrew his ability to make individual sales calls, he began advertising in local newspapers and operating a makeshift mail order catalog. Soon furniture has been introduced into the IKEA product range. It was produced by local manufacturers in the forests close to Ingvar Kamprad's home. The positive response was gratifying, and the line expanded. 

27 yrs (1953)
The furniture showroom is opened in Almhult. The IKEA range focused to home furnishing products in the early 1950s. The opening of the showroom was an important moment in the development of the IKEA concept. For the first time customers could see and touch our furnishings before ordering. This came about as a solution to a problem. IKEA found itself in a price war with its main competitor. As both companies lowered prices, quality came at risk. By opening the showroom, IKEA could in three dimensions present its products with function, quality and low price. And people did just what IKEA had hoped: they wisely chose the products with the best value for the money. 

29 yrs (1955)
Pressure from its competitors caused suppliers to boycott IKEA. IKEA begins designing its own furniture.

47 yrs (1973)
The first store outside Scandinavia is opened outside Zurich, Switzerland. Its success paved the way for a rapid expansion in Germany, which is the largest IKEA market today.





49 yrs (1975)
The first IKEA stores are opened in, Canada and the Netherlands.

59 yrs (1985)
The first IKEA store opens in the USA. During the next seven years new IKEA stores are opened in the UK, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and United Arab Emirates. 






67 yrs (1993)
IKEA reaches 114 stores in 25 countries.

71 yrs (1997)
IKEA introduces Children's IKEA. IKEA has always provided furnishings for the entire family. But since kids are the most important people in the world, IKEA decided to put them in the spotlight.

73 yrs (1999)
IKEA numbers 53,000 co-workers across a global network of over 150 stores in 29 countries on four continents. Ingvar Kamprad initiated the Big Thank You Event as a millennium reward to the many co-workers within the IKEA group. The total of all sales worldwide on this special day was given to the employees. The goal for the day was high, but the actual result was higher – approximately 187 million NLG. Every co-worker, from the snack bar staff and stock clerks to the president, got the same bonus. For most, this bonus was more than a month's pay. 



74 yrs (2000)
The first IKEA store opens in Russia.

79 yrs (2005)
As of March, the sliding value of the U.S. dollar put Kamprad ahead as the richest person in the world in another report.

80 yrs (2006)
In March, Forbes magazine estimated his fortune at US$28 billion.

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_CA/about_ikea/the_ikea_way/history/index.html
http://www.myviplife.com/lifestories/vipbusiness/Ingvar_Kamprad_bi.php?c=10