The spreading of electricity in Denmark

Financially strong and visionary businessmen establish a new company in Kolding

On 16 May 1919, Jacob Jørgensen, manager and owner of Solar Elektricitetsmaaleren, sells the Solar metre shop and its production facilities at Rendebanen to Kolding Elektricitetsværk. The 28-year old enterprising businessman is going to reinvest his newly acquired capital in his future and will not rest on his laurels. The next day, he establishes Nordisk Solar Compagni in Kolding together with his friend and peer, merchant Herluf Sørensen.

Even though until now, Jacob Jørgensen has primarily been selling electrical metres, he has no doubt that the demand for other electrical materials will grow fast, and that the customers, in addition to the well-known power stations, will be an increasing number of wind electricians, contractors and the like.

The past 7 years have taught him that the ability to procure, stock and deliver goods at the right time is the key to a successful business. Also, the war and post-war year with its scarcities and import and currency restrictions have also taught him the importance of being far-sighted and adapting quickly, when goods are to be provided either via procurement or own manufacturing.

Jacob Jørgensen is not in doubt about his role. He continually wants to run a business and invest in becoming a significant value-creating player in the changeable electrical trade. He is aware that it will require more operational and working capital to accommodate the wider group of customers with a wider assortment of products, and he is determined to find a financial partner. He easily convinces his friend Herluf Sørensen about the potential, and the two young businessmen agree to both invest in and establish the general partnership Nordisk Solar Compagni. The business foundation is partly selling electrical metres to the rapidly increasing number of power and utility stations – including replacing old direct current metres with new alternating current metres, meaning that power can be transported cheaper and over longer distances – and partly wholesale of electrical installation and consumption materials for the many private homes, where electricity will be laid on in the years to come. The two peers and partners know each other well from the business network Kolding Fodsportsforening af 1915. The chemistry between them is good. They each have the background and competences needed to form a partnership that will last for more than 25 years. Herluf Sørensen is a trained merchant and financially strong after receiving a family inheritance. In relation to the deed of foundation, the two prepare a clear owner’s agreement and division of labour. Jacob Jørgensen is in charge of technical tasks, sales and day-to-day management, while Herluf Sørensen handles the bookkeeping until the company gets on its feet. After the establishment, Jacob Jørgensen, Herluf Sørensen and a few employees move to Jernbanegade 19 in Kolding. Space is limited, as liquidity and costs must be kept down, as the company’s product range is to be continuously extended and adjusted to fit the constantly increasing demand.

The need for electricity booms and new utility plants sprout everywhere. In 1919, the municipality of Kolding initiates renewal and improvement of the electricity network, which is to be carried out during the course of two years. As the association of power stations in south-eastern Jutland, who built the station in Harte, is already making use of Solar’s expertise, the start-up is a busy time. The timing of Jørgensen and Sørensen’s establishment of Nordisk Solar Compagni is well-chosen and confirms their vision and understanding of the significance of the technological breakthrough. Nordisk Solar Compagni achieves a revenue of 320,000 Danish kroner in the first year and presents a solid profit. Already in 1920, more employees join the company, including a bookkeeper, as Herluf Sørensen wishes to withdraw from the daily operations. In the meantime, Jacob Jørgensen receives trade licenses both as merchant and as manufacturer. Herluf Sørensen continues as partner and later on as board member in Nordisk Solar Compagni.

Move and change

After almost four years, in the spring of 1923, Nordisk Solar Compagni is doing so well that Jacob Jørgensen can rent the ground and first floor of one of the biggest and best placed buildings in the city, “Borgen” (the Castle) at Haderslevgade 21-23 (which later becomes Haderslevvej 25) in Kolding. Solar has grown out of the limited space in Jernbanegade, and the move is necessary for the continued growth of the company. The last year, Jacob Jørgensen has had to rent storage space several places in the city. With the new lease, everything is gathered in one place and made more efficient, and work becomes less difficult as the modern building is quite revolutionarily equipped with an outside freight lift. The sales of electrical materials to contractors in Kolding and the surrounding area boom, and at the same time, the company receives several requests from more remote customers. Jacob Jørgensen knows that the market potential is significantly bigger. He therefore asks the company’s attorney N.C. Jehrbo to become a travelling salesman. N.C. Jehrbo is to visit contractors in all of Jutland and grow the business with.

Close to one and a half year after moving into “Borgen”, Jacob Jørgensen changes the focus from Nordisk Solar Compagni’s business foundation significantly. He separates the metre shop including its business activities and 13 employees into the company Dansk Målerværksted. The company’s loyal foreman, who has followed Jacob Jørgensen since 1914, becomes day-to-day manager and co-owner.

With the separation, Jacob Jørgensen directs Nordisk Solar Compagni’s business focus towards nationwide wholesale of electrical products, but at the same time, he considers establishing substantial manufacturing. A new and epochal era is coming.

Merchant trade license, 12 December 1919

Manufacturer trade license, 17 August 1920