Ortofon

Ortofon is a legendary Danish audio equipment manufacturer founded on October 9, 1918 by two Danish engineers, Axel Petersen (1887-1971) and Arnold Poulsen (1889-1952), who established the Electrical Phono Film Company with financial support from several capable businessmen, initially aiming to explore high-class recording and develop one of the world's first synchronized sound film systems before transitioning to become the world's largest producer of magnetic cartridges for phonograph turntables. Originally named for the Greek words meaning 'correct sound,' Ortofon pioneered synchronized sound film technology, presenting the first fully-synchronized sound films at Copenhagen's Palace Theatre to create a world sensation, with their 'System Petersen og Poulsen' becoming the foundation for optical sound film technology still used today through patents and licenses issued to film companies worldwide. Following diversification into gramophone record playback and cutting equipment towards the end of World War II, the company evolved through strategic name changes - from the original Electrical Phono Film Company to FonoFilm Industry A/S in 1946, finally establishing Ortofon A/S in 1947 as a trading company to meet considerable worldwide demand for their innovative audio products. Operating from their manufacturing headquarters in Nakskov, Lolland, Denmark (in the south of Denmark) under the leadership of CEO Christen H. Nielsen, Deputy CEO Kurt F. Holmsted, Director Henrik A. Nielsen, and Chief Officer of Acoustics and Technology Leif Johannsen, Ortofon employs a staff of 100+ experienced operators, engineers, and technicians from the island of Lolland, Falster, and Zealand who speak 10 different languages while working in an informal, less hierarchical environment focused on professional competence and results. As a privately owned, financially prosperous fine mechanical powerhouse that celebrates over 105 years of engineering and acoustics since 1918, Ortofon has maintained its position as the world's leading cartridge manufacturer with sales exceeding 500,000 cartridges annually, developing, manufacturing, and marketing world-acclaimed Ortofon phono cartridges plus components for the hearing aids industry through continuous technological innovation. The company's pioneering contributions include introducing the world's first Moving Coil technology in phonograph equipment with their cutting head in 1945, launching the first Moving Coil magnetic cartridge (AB model) in 1948 that remains in production today due to enthusiast demand, and creating the iconic SPU (Stereo Pick-Up) in 1959 that immediately set the standard for professional and audiophile applications when stereo records emerged. Ortofon's comprehensive product portfolio spans precision phono cartridges and styli designed for superior sound reproduction through advanced technologies including Metal Injection Molding, cutter heads for record manufacturing, and continuously improved magnetic cartridge designs that serve professionals, audiophiles, and DJ markets worldwide with products ranging from the acclaimed 2M Series to specialized professional cutting systems. With recent innovations including the introduction of the Ortofon 2MR Cartridges as the latest addition to their renowned 2M Series, Ortofon continues advancing audio technology while expanding into medical industry technologies, maintaining their heritage-driven commitment to innovation that ensures the company's longevity for years to come. Operating with modern machinery combined with experienced craftsmanship, Ortofon represents the pinnacle of Danish precision engineering and acoustic excellence, serving the global analog audio community with products that uphold their founding principle of delivering 'correct sound' through over a century of continuous innovation and technological leadership in magnetic cartridge manufacturing.