History

Jalema has experience in providing and setting up archives since 1947. What started as a small factory producing letter holders has now grown into a large international company

  • 1920

    Jan, Leendert and Machiel (Ja-Le-Ma) Klopman start a small factory in Wormer in the twenties.

  • 1947

    Father and son Westendorff acquire Jalema and settle in the village of Steyl in Limburg. There, the production of letter holders, filing bags, plastic folders and other office supplies has begun.

  • 1949

    The first catalogue sees the light of day!

  • 1952

    It soon becomes clear that the plant in Steyl is too small. Jalema finds a nice location in Reuver and settles there.

  • 1954

    Jalema introduces the well-known T-bar and the corresponding folders with the one-point hanging system.

  • 1956 - 1959

    Great success is booked in the late fifties with the idea of designing and producing industry-specific archiving systems based on a unique invention: the lateral (from just a single point) hanging file system. Dutch hospitals are the first to embrace the Jalema system en masse. The graphic/printing industry follows quickly. And now, with the third generation Westendorff at the helm, Jalema is conquering new sectors with sophisticated and user-oriented products.

  • 1970

    The first system to archive X-rays is delivered to the Ministry of Education and Research.

  • 1973

    Jalema’s 25th anniversary is celebrated.

  • 1974

    Joan Westendorff, the current director, joins Jalema.

  • 1980

    Jalema continues to grow! In 1980, Jalema opens a French subsidiary in Briey.

  • 1981

    Jalema opens a Belgian subsidiary in Brussels. Archive solutions from Jalema are sold from this location in Belgium.

  • 1990

    Jalema’s new headquarters are officially opened.

  • 1992

    A US subsidiary of Jalema is launched in Elkrigde, Maryland.

  • 1995

    Jalema is awarded an ISO 9001 certification.

  • 1997

    The Jalema File Management Building is completed and put into operation, providing 35 km of archive storage. Files are stored individually in order to be easily found.

    Jalema achieves an important milestone in 1997: its 50th anniversary. The past 50 great years are reflected upon. On to the next 50!

  • 1998

    The JAG moves into one of Jalema’s office buildings. The space is available, things are logistically simpler and people are better for it. Employees really go off to work now, and are very much a functioning part of active society.

  • 2005

    Digitisation

    Sister company Archive-IT was established in 2005 as part of the Jalema group in order to respond timely to the future needs of digitisation. Archive-IT develops and leverages concepts, services and ICT products to integrate physical information into digital information systems. Archive-IT delivers a unique combination of services and software development. For more information, see www.archive-it.nl.

  • 2006

    In the course of 2005, plans are developed regarding the preservation and management of static archives. Starting in 2006, Jalema’s had access to a new hall where the service is located. By offering this service, Jalema is able to play an important role in the field of archive storage and management. Jalema is hereby an even more desirable partner offering a complete package of services for any and all companies and organisations with archiving needs.

  • 2007

    Jalema’s 60th anniversary is celebrated. Former Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm is present.

  • 2010

    Acquisition Avanti and Atlanta

    Innovation is of paramount importance to Jalema and the company is committed to further development. In 2010, the acquisition of two companies is realised: Avanti GmbH from Berlin, the German manufacturer of (plastic) folders in late April, and the firm Atlanta in October. Jalema purchases Atlanta’s machines and factories in Reuver and Hoogezand and continues production. These factories produce injection moulded articles, work folders, hanging folders and business forms.

  • 2013

    Jalema expands substantially. New warehouses are built, a brand new injection moulding plant is put into service and the Archive Specialist receives new housing.

  • 2016

    Acquisition Rucol & Multo

    In April of 2016, Jalema takes over the activities of Rucol & Multo. With this acquisition, Jalema expands its range to include thermo folders and the entire Multo line which includes the well-known Multo folders. 

    Jalema splits its operations: Jalema BV will focus entirely on the office supply market and Archive-IT will be the business responsible for selling software and services to end users. 

  • 2019

    Jalema takes over Dataplus!

    On Monday, April 15, 2019, the producer of office supplies, Jalema BV, took over Dataplus GmbH from Pfullendorf (DE). Dataplus is a major player in the field of printed and unprinted office supplies on the German market.

    With this acquisition, the Jalema range expands considerably. The business activities of Dataplus are also fully taken over by Jalema. This means that the entire machine park will be relocated to Reuver (NL) in the coming weeks. The layout of the factories in Reuver is being revised so that the production equipment can be arranged as effectively as possible.

  • 2019

    T3L takes over Jalema!

    Following on from its strategy to expand its portfolio with professional brands in the field of visual communication and office design, the T3L Group today announces that the Dutch company Jalema B.V. taken over on July 1, 2019.

    The T3L Group, founded in 2008, has production locations in Denmark and France and is represented in more than 60 countries. Together, these companies offer an extensive collection of office items, signaling and marking solutions, customer-specific and customized products, graphic solutions, products for shop fittings and industrial products. With this acquisition, the T3L Group and Jalema strengthen their position of strong brands in the field of visual communication and office supplies.

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