The first contacts of the Jebsen and Jessen families with China go back to the beginning of the 19th century, when journeys between Europe and the China coast were treacherous and could take up to a year.
When Jebsen & Co was established on Mar 1, 1895 in Hong Kong, Jacob Jebsen and Heinrich Jessen chose the four characters 捷成洋行 as their Chinese hong name. These have since become synonymous with our family enterprise, spanning three continents and fifteen countries. In addition, the "three-fish" logo serves as a symbol of the entire Group as do the common values of fair trade, equality, trust and goodwill that continue to be the drivers of the Group's growth and success.
From the beginning, our company has been acting as a bridge - between continents and cultures, suppliers and consumers. A guiding principle, and much of the success of the company, is based on the teamwork between Chinese and European colleagues. This winning formula, inspired by the Chinese philosopher Mencius' creed from the 3rd century BC: "Within the four seas, all men are brothers", motivates us every day.
Jebsen's present-day activities are greatly diversified, encompassing marketing and distribution services, as well as partnerships in manufacturing, with enterprises from Europe as well as Asia.
For our company, the unbroken chain of four generations' commitment to Asia, on both sides of the founders' families, as well as the commitment by many of our executives - whose often life-long dedication to the Group's success is a mark of pride - are the cornerstones of our longevity.
Respect for foreign cultures grows from strong roots of one's own. Jebsen's culture today, as throughout the past century, stands for commitment to Asia and its prosperity, acceptance of the uniqueness of each market and rewarding success.
Every one of our employees is key to the company as a whole. Five core values have become intrinsic to Jebsen: Commitment, Responsibility, Trust, Recognition and Excellence, reflecting a common purpose that we all strive for.
Hans Michael Jebsen