50 years anniversary

Our history 1971 - 2021

On June 6, 2021, it is 50 years since Unika started.

It all started with Ejvind and his wife Ritha Johansen moving from North Zealand to Højbjerg to realize a REALLY good idea. In connection with his work as a trained machine worker at Teknova in Nivå, Ejvind had seen that a machine factory in Jutland was needed to service the customers. After much deliberation, they made a joint decision and in 1971 bought a country house on Højbjerg Møllevej in Højbjerg. The country house was completely restored and rebuilt to house a state-of-the-art tool factory under the name Jysk Unika Værktøj. The idea was good and the order book was filled, so a few years later, in addition to Ejvind, two educated and an apprentice were employed.

In 1978, after being an apprentice at Grundfos, the eldest son, Bo Johansen, started in the company, which at that time had grown to about 10 employees. The youngest son, Steen Johansen, who was also an apprentice at Grundfos, started in 1980.

The company got a new name around the mid-80s and came to be called Unika Værktøj ApS and again a few years later this is changed to Unika Værktøj A / S

After 26 years with his own company, Ejvind retired in 1997 and the two sons took over the ownership. Steen became chairman of the board and Bo was appointed CEO.

In 1981, the two brothers started plastic injection molding. In the beginning with 3 injection molding machines but it quickly became more injection molding during the 80's. In the late 90s, Enghave Plast on the island of Fyn was acquired and Unika continued with plastic production on Fyn until 2001, when the previous owner retired. After this, machines were moved to Højbjerg.

In 2002, the space in Højbjerg had become too cramped and the brothers moved the entire company (office, tools and composite department) to Lyngbakkevej 6 in Ans.

Already in 2008, the company grew by 8 employees in connection with Grundfos' closure of the technology department, where Unika took over parts of the production and thus also 8 employees. It also meant the start of 3-team shifts in Plast and 2-team shifts in Tools.

After the expansion with the plastics department, the name Unika Værktøj A/S was not right anymore, so in 2009 it was changed to the current Unika Danmark A/S.

In 2013, there was no more space on Lyngbakkevej 6. A year earlier, premises were rented at the former Ørum Møbler, but even more space was needed. The brothers bought all of Ørum Møbler's buildings, after which the departments were split up. The tool department and office under the management of Steen remained at Lyngbakkevej 6 and the plastics department under the management of Bo moved employees and injection molding machines to Lyngbakkevej 14.

For several years, Bo’s son Alexander with dad at work and this resulted in third generation interest in the company. Alexander was educated at the University and became cand.scient.techn and in 2015 he was hired for project management. That same year, the company grew further in connection with the acquisition of yet another plastics and tools company; Vandborg A/S in Galten. Employees and machines stayed a year in Galten, but in 2016 it was all moved to Ans.

In 2018, the number of machines has increased to 41 molding machines and 27 tool machines and the number of employees varies between 80-100.

2021 - the anniversary year, will be marked with a new strategic partnership with Grundfos. On 9 February, the management was able to inform that Unika will be one of Denmark's leaders in tool manufacturing and injection molding in connection with the takeover of Grundfos' tool department.

The number of employees in the tool department will be doubled, so a rebuild, restoration and new construction is necessary to accommodate 20 new employees and 20 advanced machining tools / machines. Construction started in February and on 16 April there was an internal Travel Guild at a brand new Spark Department. From 1 May, the gradual relocation of staff and machinery could begin. When all new employees are in place, the number of employees at Unika Danmark A / S has increased to 104 in the anniversary year.

June 6, 2021 The 50th anniversary is celebrated only for employees, due to Corona and assembly ban, but we expect to be able to celebrate the anniversary, the expansion and the new building for all interested when possible and allowed.