History

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

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.

The first catalogue sees the light of day!

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

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

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.

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

Jalema’s 25th anniversary is celebrated.

Joan Westendorff, the current director, joins Jalema.

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

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

Jalema’s new headquarters are officially opened.

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

Jalema is awarded an ISO 9001 certification.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.