Stibo
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Information management, print technology software |
| Founded | 1794 |
| Founder | Niels Lund |
| Headquarters | Aarhus , Denmark |
Area served | Europe, North America, Asia |
| Owner | The Stibo-Foundation |
The Stibo Software Group traces its origins back to 1794 when Niels Lund founded it as a printing company. Presently, the organization specializes in information management and print technology software, with its headquarters located in Aarhus, Denmark.
Fully owned by The Stibo-Foundation, the group comprises three subsidiaries: Stibo Systems, Stibo Complete, and Stibo DK. It maintains a global presence, operating throughout Europe, North America, and Asia.
History
Since its establishment in 1794, Stibo has transformed from a regional printing workshop into a multinational enterprise focused on graphic processes, production, and software solutions.
Aarhus Stiftsbogtrykkerie
In January 1794, Niels Lund founded Aarhus Stiftsbogtrykkerie under a royal charter that authorized printing materials for both his own publishing house and external clients. The charter also permitted the publication of a weekly newspaper featuring news, Royal Decrees, and official announcements. The inaugural issue was published on 3 January 1794.
The royal charter mandated the free printing of official announcements, which helped sustain operations despite financial difficulties. The printing house produced numerous books and printed works, with approximately 136 copies still preserved today.
During the 1880s, revenue from commercial printing remained limited (approximately 1,000–1,200 DKK annually). Following Lund’s death in 1825, Theodor Funch-Thomsen assumed control in the 1890s. A significant client became Danish State Railways, providing annual income between 30,000–40,000 DKK through timetables and brochures. Newspaper revenues were substantially increased by advertising and subscriptions. Under Funch-Thomsen’s guidance, print orders expanded from none in 1890 to 500 by 1909. The company also invested in advanced technology such as a 16-page Augsburg web press introduced in 1916.
In 1920, Funch-Thomsen separated the company into distinct newspaper and printing divisions.
The Kiær family and telephone directories
Hans Kiær took ownership of the firm in 1927 and implemented a strategic focus on customer service alongside efforts to attract new clientele. He also encouraged his son Erik Kiær to explore emerging technological advancements.
In 1959, JTAS contracted Aarhuus Stiftsbogtrykkerie to produce four Jutland telephone directories along with the Yellow Pages, prompting investments in new typesetting machinery, customized web presses, and an industrial-scale printing plant capable of in-house binding.
That same year, the company acquired a 7,500m² site within a new industrial area in Holme, Aarhus, where it constructed its first dedicated telephone directory printing facility in 1961.
By 1962, total revenue had risen to DKK 8.1 million, with telephone directories accounting for DKK 3.2 million. In 1964, Hans Kiær and management secretary Jørgen Bjerregaard secured a contract to produce all Danish telephone directories, significantly expanding the company’s role in technology-driven printing and graphic services.
Confronted with the complexity of producing KTAS Yellow Pages directories spanning 1,400 pages, Erik Kiær shifted from traditional lead typesetting to computer-controlled printing methods to efficiently manage volume and diversity.
The Stibo Foundation
In September 1966, Ingrid and Erik Kiær transferred nearly all company shares (99.7%) into the newly formed Aarhuus Stiftsbogtrykkerie Foundation. The business was rebranded as Stibo Group in 2002; subsequently, the foundation adopted the name Stibo-Fonden (The Stibo Foundation) in 2007.
In 2006, Stibo Group expanded by acquiring Knowbody ApS, a software firm specializing in automating and enhancing graphic production workflows centered on Adobe Systems technologies.
Subsidiaries
Stibo Group functions through three distinct subsidiaries: Stibo Complete, Stibo Systems, and Stibo DX.
Stibo Complete
The subsidiary originally known as Stibo Graphic was founded in Horsens in 1990, marked by a substantial investment of 75 million DKK in a large-scale web press: a 48-page "Lithoman" manufactured by Manroland. This press was capable of producing four-color prints at a speed of 1.3 million pages per hour. Within the Stibo Group, Stibo Graphic handled both print and electronic publishing operations. The company underwent a rebranding to Stibo Printing Solutions in 2015 and later adopted the name Stibo Complete in 2018.
Stibo Systems
Established in 1976 under the name Stibo Catalog, this subsidiary initially focused on managing product information for its clients. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, it expanded its presence by opening regional offices in locations including Great Britain, the United States, Singapore, and Germany. Functioning with considerable autonomy from the printing division, it rebranded as Stibo Systems in 2009 and shifted its focus towards providing Master Data Management software solutions.
Stibo DX
In 1976, Stibo acquired a controlling interest in CCI, leading to the formation of Computer Composition International Europe (CCI Europe). In 2001, the company invested around DKK 180 million to establish a new corporate headquarters in Højbjerg, which continues to serve as its main base alongside additional offices worldwide in Norway, Germany, the US, and Bangladesh.
Stibo DX grew further through acquisitions of software companies including magPeople, a content management system provider Escenic, and digital asset management firm Digital Collections. Operating under the name Stibo DX since 2020, it is well-known for its publishing platform CUE and delivers editorial, advertising, and archiving solutions designed specifically for media outlets and brand publishers.