Our History

A LONG TRADITION OF CRAFTSMANSHIP

Gustaf Eriksson, a skilled metalworker, founded the company with a focus on manufacturing tiled stove doors. It wasn’t until 1885, when his son Axel Eriksson took over, that Gense made a pivotal shift—expanding the product line to include silver cutlery.After the passing of both Gustaf and Axel in the 1890s, Gense experienced a pause in its growth. The company found new momentum in the mid-1910s under the leadership of Arvid Hedlund and his son Lars. With modern machinery, updated production methods, and a refreshed product range, Gense began producing tableware and silver cutlery in 1915, much of it crafted for the restaurant industry.

SILVER FOR ALL – AND FOR THE FUTURE

The production of silver cutlery reached its peak in the late 1800s. Before then, silver was a luxury reserved for the upper class—far too costly for most people. But industrialization changed that. With the rise of assembly line production, silverware became more affordable and widely accessible. Still, silver retained its lasting value, making it a meaningful item often passed down through generations.

Each piece of silverware undergoes up to 30 individual steps before completion. From forging and ornamentation to soldering, buffing, and polishing, much of the work is still done by hand—preserving the craftsmanship behind every detail.

STAINLESS STEEL BECOMES POPULAR

Lars Hedlund was a forward thinker, determined to make stainless steel as accepted in Swedish homes as traditional nickel and silver tableware. In 1929, Gense took a groundbreaking step by partnering with designer Viking Göransson—its first collaboration of its kind. By the 1930s, Gense began producing stainless steel cutlery, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s history. Sales soared, and over the following decades, Gense worked with many of Sweden’s most respected designers, becoming one of the first companies to truly merge artistry with product design.

These collaborations fueled Gense’s rise, proving that stainless steel could offer not just durability, but refined beauty. In the 1930s, the company introduced stainless steel cutlery to restaurants, and after World War II, demand began to grow in private households as well.

People were ready for something new—designs that were sleek, modern, and thoughtfully made. Gense delivered, setting a new standard in Scandinavian tableware.

THE GOLDEN AGE

The decade between 1955 and 1965 is widely considered the golden age of Swedish stainless steel cutlery. It all kicked off with the H55 Exhibition in Helsingborg—a world’s fair celebrating architecture, design, and craftsmanship. Gense stood out at the event, earning high praise for its stainless steel designs. Among the highlights was Folke Arström’s groundbreaking Focus de Luxe cutlery, featuring sleek stainless steel paired with black plastic handles. Inspired by the aerodynamic lines of fast cars and aircraft, the set captured the imagination of both design lovers and international celebrities.

Focus de Luxe embodied the spirit of the 1950s—a time buzzing with futuristic energy, design innovation, and newfound accessibility. Stainless steel combined with molded plastic felt fresh, modern, and perfectly in step with the space-age optimism of the era. Its popularity soared when stars like Grace Kelly purchased sets while visiting Stockholm, cementing its cult status. In fact, Focus de Luxe was so in demand, it often sold out before hitting U.S. store shelves.

In 1940, Folke Arström was hired as artistic director, which became another instrumental moment in setting the company’s design direction. One of Folke Arström’s first tasks, together with goldsmith David Stegler, was to develop a new and modern collection of stainless steel cutlery. The result was Thebe, launched in 1944, a collection comprising more than 130 different cutlery and serving pieces. The inspiration for the design was taken from ancient Egypt, and the collection was described as classically pure, cultured and modern.

DESIGN CLASSICS

In the intervening years up to the present day, much has taken place in the design and manufacture of cutlery and silverware. However, Gense’s collaboration with the best designers is still a vital part of its DNA, and over the years, these collaborations have led to the most successful and innovative cutlery classics in both silver and stainless steel. Designs that contributed to setting the standard within Scandinavian design, and of which many collections are still in production – side by side with those created by new, contemporary designers. A glance at Gense’s range tells the story of the most popular cutlery of all time. Fuga, Twist, Pantry, Steel Line, Focus de Luxe, Dorotea and Old Farmer steak cutlery are some of the best-selling cutlery collections that still delight diners at tables worldwide.

GENSE TODAY

At Gense, only the best materials are used in the production of silver and stainless steel, and each piece of cutlery passes through up to 30 different stages before the final polishing. This assures that the highest quality is achieved, and whatever cutlery you decide on, you can be certain that it is a combination of functional design and premium quality. This is exactly what characterises Gense and which is why we say it is “Designed to make you proud”.