Vermund Larsen
– Founder of VELA

VERMUND LARSEN A/S (VELA) is a Danish, family-owned company founded in 1935 by Vermund Larsen, whose spirit and richness of ideas are still alive despite his early passing in 1970.

Vermund Larsen had a degree in interior design, and he was a true entrepreneur. He became one of the pioneers behind ergonomically correct office chairs, and he was passionate about design, shape and functionality. He believed in creating beautiful products where the central theme was always comfortable seating.

The first production - bending furniture in steel materials

The visions became a reality

Vermund Larsen’s richness of ideas and his visionary mode of thought has shaped VELA throughout the years. For example, he revolutionised the development of office chairs by being the first to use a gas spring for the chairs’ height adjustment. Ten years after his death, his sons used an electrical height adjuster on a chair so that everyone could benefit from the height adjustment.

Today, VELA is still owned by the Larsen family. And we continuously focus on creating beautiful and ergonomically correct chairs.

The company is now divided into three business areas that all have design, functionality and high quality as their shared goals:

VELA: Assistive devices for people with disabilities

VELA Medical: Solutions for clinics and hospitals

VERMUND: Design furniture for personal and professional needs

Vermund Larsen - VELA's founder

Important historical events

1935 Portrait of Vermund Larsen

1935

Vermund Larsen A/S (VELA) was founded in Holbergsgade, Aalborg, by Vermund Larsen. VELA is a portmanteau of the two first letters of the founder’s respective first and last name; VErmund and LArsen.

1938 1948 Making the first VELA chairs

1938

Vermund Larsen reorganises the factory for furniture production, and he creates the first chairs.

1948

VELA starts producing ergonomic furniture after reading “Den siddende Stilling – og Stole dertil” (Freely translated: The Sitting Position – and Chairs therefor) by Dr. Med. Snorrason from Blegdamshospitalet in Copenhagen.

1953 Old factory in Nørresundby

1953

VELA moves to Nørresundby due to economic growth and a need for more space.

1955 VELA chairs at the summer expo in Charlottenlund

1955

Vermund Larsen presents the first chair in solid glass fibre and plastic outside of the US at the Spring Exhibition of Charlottenborg.

1961 Building the new production facility

1961

Vermund Larsen pioneers the gas cartridge for the height adjustment of chairs.

Inauguration of the current factory at Gøteborgvej in Aalborg.

1974 1970 One of the early chairs with a brake

The 1960s

The first brake is fixed to an ergonomic office chair with four wheels – and thus, the work chair occurs.

1969

50% of the revenue comes via the export markets: USA, France, Germany, Sweden and Norway.

1981 1970 The two sons takes over the company

1970

Vermund Larsen passes away, and his twin sons, Stig and Gorm, takes over the company.

1960erne Chair with coxit seat

1970

VELA starts a regular production of work chairs under the name Uni-bloc – thus, the VELA chair becomes a reality.

1974

VELA develops the first childrens’ chair. The ‘Lilleput’ Uni-bloc gives children in schools and at home the possibility to enjoy the safety and the comfort of the VELA chair.

1981 First motor-driven VELA chair

1981

As the pioneers within the rehab industry, VELA makes a work chair with electrical height adjustment.

VELA launches its first chair with electrical propulsion, which creates the foundation for the further development of VELA’s electric wheelchairs.

VELA bariatric chair Vs. a childrens chair

1992

VELA is the first company in the world to launch a bariatric “office chair” with a brake – it had a weight limit of up to 200 kg.

sofie-om-os

2006

Sofie Hemmert develops the VELA Samba 410 – a unique stool built according to the principles of the pilates ball, where the seat activates the muscles in the back and the lumbar so that one’s stomach, back and lumbar gets stronger.

VELA-frame-right-2018

2018

VELA becomes Factline certified since VELA and our supply chain meets the UN’s Global Compact requirements. These are ethical guidelines regarding human rights, working conditions, environment and corruption.

ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification labels

2019

VELA is ISO certified: Quality Management (ISO-9001) and Environmental Management (ISO-14001).

2020 Making a bariatric chair for up to 300 kg - VELA Tango 310

2020

VELA launches a bariatric work chair with a weight limit of up to 300 kg.

2020 VELA buys Meyland -smith

2020

VELA purchases Denmark’s oldest producer of assistive devices, Meyland-Smith A/S and simultaneously take over the belonging production facilities in Hjørring.

The Meywalk gait trainer becomes a part of VELA’s self-produced assistive devices.

2021 - expanding VELA - growing bigger

2021

VELA expands the production, stock and office spaces in Aalborg by purchasing Skelagervej 11.

Billedramme_v_700

2021

VELA launches a new series of work chairs optimised to give the user the most independence possible at school, home or work. These chairs are created in a contemporary design, focusing on comfort, support and easy-to-use functions so that the user achieves a more independent everyday life.

enableme-llc-h

2023

VELA acquires Enable Me LLC, which has sold VELA chairs for many years in the USA. The acquisition takes place as a necessity to be present in the American market.

gptw-v

2023

VELA is certified as a Great Place to Work (GPTW) workplace. To achieve GPTW certification, an impartial employee survey must provide a score of 70% or higher – VELA is certified with a satisfaction score of 92%.

gptw-senior-h

2024

VELA wins the award for “Denmark’s Best Workplace for Seniors 2024”, granted by Great Place to Work. VELA also secured a seventh place in the main category “Best Workplace in Denmark” in the category of 50-499 employees.

In May 2024, VELA was once again certified as a Great Place to Work®️ for 2024-2025, with a two per cent increase, achieving a satisfaction score of 94%.

The story continues…