Our

history

C.W. Obel was established in 1787 and has a long history of investments and active ownership in the Danish business society
Today

C.W. Obel is a Danish investment company operating within direct investments (unlisted), indirect investments (PE/VC funds), listed investments and real estate

C.W. Obel continuously conducts new investments focusing on creating a stable and long term return to our owners

2019

On 1 November 2019 C.W. Obel acquires 29.5 % of the Danish company, Rexholm A/S (ID Identity)

The acquisition aligns with the investment strategy of C.W. Obel to acquire minority ownership stakes in good and well-established companies in Denmark

2017

Skandinavisk Holding distributes its shares in Scandinavian Tobacco Group to the owners. This concludes the tobacco collaboration which was initiated in 1961 with the establishment of Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni. Today, C.W. Obel owns +10 % of the shares in Scandinavian Tobacco Group

In 2017, C.W. Obel also launches a revised investment strategy with increased focus on alternative asset classes, including real estate, direct minority investments in unlisted companies in Denmark as well as private equity and venture capital funds

2016

On 10 February 2016, Scandinavian Tobacco Group is listed on the Nasdaq Copenhagen stock exchange. The listing implies that Skandinavisk Holding owns 33.1 % of the company

2009

C.W. Obel Ejendomme establishes the joint venture, Obel-LFI, together with Lundbeckfonden. Among others, Obel-LFI owns KEA Empire Campus on Guldbergsgade and the residential properties Teglværkskajen and CobraHave. The investment strategy of Obel-LFI focuses on investments in large properties of high quality in Copenhagen

2008

Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni sells its cigarette activities. Aktieselskabet R. Færchs Fabrikker leaves Skandinavisk Holding as shareholder which is now owned by Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker and C.W. Obel

Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni changes its name to Scandinavian Tobacco Group.

1990s

At the end of the 1990s, C.W. Obel owns several properties and a renewed strategy implies an increased effort within the real estate area

C.W. Obel Ejendomme is established in order to conduct real estate investments as well as operations and administration of own properties

1987

C.W. Obel celebrates its 200th anniversary

On that occasion, the Obel Jubilee College is established in Aalborg, inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II on 26 June 1987

1961

Establishment of Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A/S in collaboration with A/S R. Færchs Fabrikker, Holstebro, and Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker, København. Hereby, the tobacco production and trade activities of C.W. Obel is transferred to Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni

1956

Estalishment of the Obel Family Foundation by initiative of Asta Obel

Asta Obel remains the chairman of the foundation until her death in 1968

The foundation was established with three overall purposes; to secure good management and framework conditions for C.W. Obel, to support the Obel-family and to support charitable purposes

1950s

C.W. Obel employs the highest number of employees, 2,147 persons, on the tobacco production facilities in Aalborg, the majority of which women (c. 75 % of the employees)

In december 1950, the organisation published the first version of the employee magasine “C.W. Obel Posten”. The front page on nr. 38, March 1960, is from the B national team’s friendly match against Norway on 13 September 1959 at the Aalborg Stadium

1937

On the occasion of the C.W. Obel 150th jubilee on 26 June 1937, the name of the Klostertorv in Aalborg is changed to C.W. Obels Plads

C.W. Obel presents the Gerhard Henning sculpture, “Gåsepigen”, as a present to the city of Aalborg

Asta Obel converts C.W. Obel to a family shareholding company at the general meeting. Asta Obel remains the charmain of the company until 1959

1935

The property, Vestergade 2, is acquired in Copenhagen

Today, Obels Gaard is the headquarter for C.W. Obel, C.W. Obel Ejendomme, C.W. Obel Bolig as well as the Obel Family Foundation

1921

Christen Winther Obel (4th generation) dies and his widow, Asta Obel (1872-1968), takes over C.W. Obel from her husband

The sons, Frederik Obel and Carl Frode Obel (5th generation) join the management of the company. Asta Obel is the sole owner of C.W. Obel until 1937 when it is transformed to a family shareholding company

1912

On the occasion of the 125th C.W. Obel jubilee, a new store is opened on the corner of Nygade and Gl. Torv (Nygade 6)

1908

C.W. Obel begins manufacturing of cigarettes and thereby targets a new customer audience

1900

C.W. Obel is now one of the largest tobacco manufacturers in Europe

The picture shows part of the production facility in 1905

1897

Again, the production facility in Aalborg burns

Due to limited production space, it is decided to move the factory and a new factory is built in the Western part of Aalborg in the area of Badehusvej and Kastetvej

The production facility is taken into use in 1898

1887

On the occasion of the 100th C.W. Obel jubilee, a color lithograph is sent to the business partners of C.W. Obel

1871

The old tobacco production facility in Klosterjordet, Aalborg, burns on several occasions. The largest fire takes place in March 1871 after which a new and considerably bigger factory is built on the same grounds

In September 1871, the factory is initiated by Frederik Christian Obel

1870

C.W. Obel acquires the adjacent grounds and expands the cigar manufacturing facility

With the opening of a store on Frederiksberggade in Copenhagen, a number of stores and inventories are established all over Denmark

1787

Sales officer, Christen Winther (1754-1798), receives approval for establishing a tobacco manufacturing plant in Aalborg and opens a tobacco store next to the factory

The manufacturing begins on 26 June 1787 in a grocery store on Klosterjordet, Aalborg, which todays is named C.W. Obels Plads