The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20070102223246/http://www.nathan.is:80/about.php
 

 

 Fritz Nathan

1912 : Nathan & Olsen was founded 1 January 1912 by two Danish businessmen, Fritz Nathan and Carl Olsen. The company prospered in the early years, and its operations were both extensive and successful. The company exported both agricultural and fish products and imported all kinds of necessities. The company had branches many places in Iceland, and for a while operated a freight ship that frequented harbors both abroad and in Iceland.

 John Fenger

1914: John Fenger becomes the main owner of the company, which is now controlled by his descendants.  

 

Nathan

 

1916: Nathan & Olsen builds the first big building of Reykjavik. This house in on the corner of Austurstręti and Pósthśsstręti and was for a long time called the Nathan & Olsen building.  Its architect was Mr. Gušjón Samśelsson, and it was considered very elegant. It was by the way the first building in Reykjavik lit by electrical lights.

 

 Skreiš

1941: A decision is taken in the company to stop exporting agricultural and fish products, and to concentrate on import.

 

 

 

 

 

1988: The company stops importing and selling products like turning steel and kitchenware, and decides to concentrate on import of food products. The company moves to new locations at Vatnagaršar 20.

 

 

 

 

 

1999: A decision is made to divide the company’s operation into separate divisions. The wholesale company Ekran PLC is acquired and merged with Nathan & Olsen large-scale kitchen division. Nathan & Olsen is also divided into three companies, Nathan & Olsen marketing Ltd., Nathan & Olsen Holding Company Ltd., and Nathan & Olsen Operations, Real Estate Ltd.

 

 

 

Present: During the last few years the operation of Nathan & Olsen has changed a lot. In 1994 the packaging company Hagver was acquired, in 1996 the food division of Kristjįn Ó. Skagfjörš Ltd., in 1998 the candy division of Hans Petersen Ltd., in 1999 The wholesale company Ekran PLC., and in 2000 the wholesale company Įsgeir Siguršsson PLC was acquired. At the same time the company invested in its new location at Vatnagaršar 22, and its operations now take place in Vatnagaršar 18, 20, and 22. In the sumer of 2004 a small food import company of the name Meistaravorur. Today Nathan & Olsen is one of the largest companies in its field in Iceland.