A CENTURY OF ACCURACY IN SOUND
Ortofon timeline 2023 - 1918
Read about Ortofon product development through the years
Ortofon continuous development since 1918
In the beginning was the sound track…
Interview with the legendary Mr. Windfeld
The former Head of Ortofon R&D
Read the story about Mr. Gudmandsen
Mr. Gudmandsen, known by most as Mr. SPUA great Danish success story began in 1918...
In the beginning was the sound track
On the 9th of October 1918, the two Danish engineers, Axel Petersen (1887-1971) and Arnold Poulsen (1889-1952) founded the Electrical Phono Film Company with a few capable and foresighted businessmen who would support the organization financially.
Their aim was to explore the possibility of high-class recording and developing one of the first synchronized sound film systems in the world. Under primitive conditions, the two Danish engineers and their small staff had to solve a number of what were considered insuperable problems.
Watch the movie "Discovery Channel features Ortofon AS" »
Ortofon today
Today Ortofon is a micro-mechanical powerhouse, which develops, manufactures and markets the world acclaimed Ortofon phono cartridges and components for the Hearing Aids industry. We benefit from being established in Denmark, a country recognized for its strong tradition in acoustics and its wealth of other high-end manufacturers, who make hearing aids and acoustic measurement equipment, in addition to all aspects of high-end audio.
Ortofon is owned by Danish businessmen and employs a staff of about 150 people. The Ortofon manufacturing unit in Nakskov in the south of Denmark has modern machinery combined with experienced operators, so human craftsmanship is delivered with uniform industrial quality.
Ortofon worldwide
Our company has always been working with sound reproduction. Founded in Copenhagen, it initially made soundtracks for movies. In 1948 Ortofon developed its first moving coil cartridge, since then more than 300 different cartridges have been developed and manufactured, with our latest being the MC Verismo cartridge.
Acoustics, materials, technology and micro mechanics are key competences in Ortofon's technological prowess. Research and development is done with the company's own engineers supported by a strong network of acoustic know-how and industrial design in Denmark.
The products are sold worldwide through a network of more than 60 importers and Sales subsidiaries in the USA and in Japan.
Leif Johannsen, Ortofon Chief Acoustics and Development on the left and Christen H. Nielsen, Ortofon CEO on the right at the MHE 2018 →
Growing the company
Ortofon has developed significantly over the last 10 years and currently is in a phase where the use of the advanced technologies has opened for exciting new business opportunities within the Medical industry. Ortofon is ISO 13485 certified with a scope "Manufacturing of components in plastic, rubber and metal for the medical device industry and manufacturing of Bone Conductors".
As a recognition of the company’s successful development and significant positive impact on local society, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, then-Prime Minister of Denmark, visited Ortofon factory on April 27th 2015, see the picture on the left.
The company plans to continue growth and will increase focus on investment in the new technology, development and manufacturing of new products.
Currently Ortofon A/S and DTU Mechanical Engineering are working in close collaboration within the Horizon 2020 Programme for Research and Innovation.
October 2020: the new Technology Hub
Ortofon continues its growth and opens the new Technology & Acoustic Center in Næstved in October 2020. The new Technology Hub is a part of Ortofon's development and growth strategy, with a special focus on Micro-mechanics and Medical Devices industry. The Technology Hub will be an integrated part of the corporate HQ and production facilities in Nakskov. The new department’s favourable geographical location on the South-West of Zealand opens up more opportunities for our company, in particular: events and Products DEMO for foreign partners who will be able to arrive and leave same day.
With the corona crisis Ortofon has experienced increasing demand for its phono cartridges. People spend more time at home and listen more to music. Therefore Ortofon has expanded its staff: technicians, engineers and production staff. The department in Næstved frees up some needed square meters for production in Nakskov. We hope the new Technology & Acoustic Hub can attract engineers looking for demanding assignments and professional development.
