A Danish success story

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Established in 1963 by Birgit and Borge Lausen, Eldorado is now one of the leading suppliers of aquatic products in Europe. The company is based in Haderslev in Denmark and currently employs 100 staff, including nine field sales employees (six in Denmark and three handling exports). In the last year the rapidly expanding company has extended its warehouse space by a further 2 500 m² to 12 500 m² (including administrative offices). Eldorado started out as a retail company with one pet store in Haderslev. Seven further outlets followed in the next few years in various Danish towns. In 1966 the company then went into the wholesale business. This new venture soon proved far more lucrative than retailing for Eldorado, with the result that the company gradually sold off its shops in the 1970s. In parallel with this, the wholesale business was expanded and the first warehouse constructed. In 1975 Eldorado acquired a small factory manufacturing heaters. This factory is now Akva Stabil, which also produces aquariums, lighting, furniture for aquariums and aquarium gravel. Besides its daily production lines, Akva Stabil manufactures complete shop installations. 80 per cent of the products are exported to 42 countries worldwide. The most important destinations are Sweden, Norway, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. In 1986 Eldorado underwent major expansion, erecting new buildings with double the capacity. This was also the year in which the company B. Lausen & Son was established, a leasing and finance company which principally provides finance solutions for new shops and shop installations delivered by Akva Stabil. In 1987 Eldorado bought a company selling equestrian equipment. Today this department is a major part of the Eldorado business and also markets an extensive collection of modern clothing for riders. The company E-Vet was launched in 1993 to supply the veterinary market, and is now a successful company with a full range of veterinarian products, including digital X-ray machines, endoscopes, blood analysis instruments and many more. Several products for the veterinarian market have been developed by E-Vet. 2003: An important milestone in the company's history The year 2003 was an important milestone in the company's history. Eldorado notched up its 40th anniversary and its subsidiary E-Vet celebrated ten years in business. But what was to prove even more important for the future was Eldorado's move to a new 10 000…