Ebaco was established in 1973 in Germany by Mr. Ernst Baur. Ebaco was set up to act as marketing agents to give manufacturers in developed countries access to "exotic" new markets such as the Middle East and Asia that were just opening up. Initially the company focused on the Middle East, but over time has also moved into Asia and Africa and recently back into Europe. In its first twenty years, Ebaco primarily dealt with floorings and related products but offered furniture and food products as well.
In the 1980s and 90s, Ebaco started to create an organization to take advantage of growth opportunities in other parts of the world. It expanded into new product lines and new geographies as well. In the mid 80s, Ebaco expanded its sales into the Far East to take advantage of the strong economic growth there. It also established Ebaco America to handle all North American flooring shipments and Ebaco Far East to find new supply sources in Asia. In the 90s, Ebaco added offices in India, Uzbekistan, and in China.
Ebaco diversified into new product lines: furnishing fabric business, residential and office furniture and ceramic tiles, building materials and sanitary ware.
The start of the new millennium has seen Ebaco continue on this path of expansion and transformation. The company has opened up several offices in China, India and Thailand to source for new products and has opened up new sales offices in new emerging markets: Egypt, India, China, Ethiopia, Kuwait and South Africa. At the same time, Ebaco is moving up the value curve by developing its contract business. Contract products are more knowledge intensive, where deep knowledge of industry and quality standards is required and service is critical. Both play to Ebaco's strengths. It has set up contract divisions in India, the Middle East and Egypt.
Today Ebaco has 17 offices based in 13 countries all over the world (see global network). It exports all kinds of furnishing products from the Far East, the US and Europe to the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe. It has 75 employees located all around the globe.
1973: Ebaco is formed in Frankfurt Germany
1976: Ebaco moves headquarters to Antwerp, Belgium
1978: Ebaco establishes the furniture division in Hamburg Germany
1985: Ebaco crosses $200 million dollar in sales
1986: Ebaco opens up Atlanta office, Georgia
1988: Ebaco establishes Ebaco Far East in Singapore
1989: Ebaco creates the Fabric division
1990: Ebaco crosses $300 million dollars in sales.
It was recognized as the 4th largest exporter from the State of Georgia
1993: Ebaco establishes its first office in China, in Shanghai
1994: Ebaco passes $400 million dollars in sales.
1995: Ebaco establishes its first office in India, at Bangalore
2000: Chris Baur takes over Ebaco Far East
2002: Ebaco contracts business is established in Dubai
2003: Ebaco office furniture business is created