Hartmann moves global headquarters back to its 1917 birthplace in Lyngby

A Historic Return for a Packaging Giant

Hartmann Packaging A/S has officially returned its global headquarters to Lyngby, Denmark, the exact municipality where the molded fiber giant was founded 109 years ago. The move to the newly transformed facility at Ørholmvej 57 marks the end of an 18-year period operating out of Gentofte, reconnecting the company’s historical roots with its current status as a multinational packaging powerhouse.

The strategic relocation has been in the works since 2023, when Hartmann acquired the Ørholmvej property with the explicit ambition of returning to its birthplace. Following extensive renovations designed to accommodate a modern, global workforce, the building now serves as the nerve center for a company that operates more than 17 production sites across four continents and employs over 3,000 people.

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together key figures, including CEO Torben Rosenkrantz-Theil, Chairman Henrik Marinus Pedersen, and Thornico Group owners Christian and Thor Stadil, alongside Lyngby-Taarbæk Mayor Sofia Osmani. Adding a tangible piece of corporate heritage to the celebration, the event featured the vintage Rolls-Royce used as the company’s executive vehicle between 1962 and 1978.

Corporate Evolution and Market Dominance

The return to Lyngby coincides with a period of profound transformation for the company. Originally founded in 1917 by Louis, Carl, and Gunnar Hartmann—who inherited their father's paper bag plant—the business pivoted to molded fiber in 1936. Recently, the company modernized its corporate identity, officially changing its name from Brødrene Hartmann A/S to Hartmann Packaging A/S in 2025. This rebranding aligns with its complete integration into the Thornico Group, a privately owned Danish conglomerate held by the Stadil family, which consolidated its ownership following a public offer in late 2023.

Beyond the nostalgic appeal of a homecoming, this move consolidates Hartmann’s operational command at a time of aggressive global expansion. The company, which reported a robust group revenue of DKK 3,810 million and an operating profit of DKK 570 million in 2024, is currently riding a massive wave of demand for sustainable, circular packaging. As the global food supply chain actively phases out single-use plastics, Hartmann’s proprietary molded fiber technology—made entirely from recycled paper—has become a critical asset for egg producers, packing stations, and retailers worldwide.

Scaling Technology for a Circular Future

Hartmann is unique in the packaging sector because it is not only a converter but also an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Since 1936, Hartmann Technology has developed and supplied advanced machinery for molded pulp production, equipping both its own facilities and selected partners globally. This dual capability allows the company to control the entire production ecosystem, from raw material processing to the final retail-ready egg carton.

Currently, the company is actively scaling its footprint to meet surging market demands. A major capacity expansion is underway in North America, scheduled to come online in 2027, reflecting a targeted strategy to invest heavily in regions where sustainability mandates are reshaping retail packaging. The new Lyngby headquarters will house the strategic planning, engineering, and sustainability teams driving these international projects.

Operating from its new home, Hartmann continues to push its environmental agenda. The company is committed to ambitious CO₂ reduction targets through the Science Based Targets initiative and remains a proud member of the UN Global Compact. By centralizing its leadership in a state-of-the-art facility, Hartmann aims to streamline decision-making and foster innovation in raw materials and circular production, ensuring that its next century of operations is as impactful as its first.

Returning to a founding city is a powerful cultural statement for a manufacturing giant, proving that aggressive global scaling and deep local roots are not mutually exclusive in today's corporate landscape. As molded fiber continues to replace plastic in retail aisles, will legacy machinery providers like Hartmann maintain their technological edge against emerging packaging startups? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai