From a garage in Vejle in 1955 to a state‑of‑the‑art 800 m² factory exporting to five continents, Søren Søgaard A/S embodies the union of player‑driven design and Nordic woodworking traditions. This article unpacks the company’s full journey—founder bio, aggressive acquisition strategy, proprietary heated‑slate technology, flagship models, and the community initiatives that keep the brand at the heart of European cue sports.
1. A Champion’s Workshop → Industrial Powerhouse
1.1 The Player Behind the Brand (1955‑1969)
Søren Søgaard (1921‑1992) was already a legend when he bought his first batch of second‑hand carom tables in 1955. The seven‑time Danish 3‑cushion champion and 22‑time skittlebilliard titleholder personally re‑cushioned and re‑levelled every frame, learning where commercial tables fell short of elite expectations. Within two years demand eclipsed the supply of used units, and he resolved to build his own—introducing kiln‑dried Danish oak rails, thicker (25 mm) slate beds and the now‑famous square‑cut leg joints that offered superior torsional rigidity.
1.2 Expansion by Acquisition (1970‑2016)
What really scaled the business was Søgaard’s shrewd buying spree that consolidated Denmark’s cottage‑industry builders into a single enterprise:
| Year | Acquired Company | Founded | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | P.O. Pedersen | 1887 | Provided seasoned workforce and Victorian‑era hand tools; doubled production overnight. |
| 1975 | Donnerup Andersen | 1944 | Brought snooker‑table know‑how and U.K. supplier relationships. |
| 1980 | Bent Johansen | 1959 | Integrated CNC milling prototypes—first step toward semi‑automation. |
| 1984 | 3B Billard | 1968 | Added European pool-pocket moulds and synthetic‑rubber vulcanising. |
| 1992 | Blok Dart | 1971 | Diversified range into darts & accessories, birthing the current game‑room segment. |
| 2005 | Sole Billard | 1988 | Introduced modular leg‑frame architecture for flat‑pack export models. |
| 2016 | Billard Fyn | 1977 | Added skittle‑billiard production line and doubled domestic showrooms. |
2. Inside the Vejle Factory
2.1 Scale & Workflow
The current plant on Ladegårdsvej 10‑14, DK‑7100 Vejle employs ≈40 craftspeople across joinery, CNC routing, finishing, and assembly. Annual throughput averages 1,200 tables broken down as 45 % carom, 30 % pool, 15 % skittle/kegle, and 10 % multi‑use or bespoke commissions.
2.2 Signature Engineering Details
- Heated Slate Beds – Up to 50 mm Italian slate panels with embedded resistance foil, digitally thermostated 28‑32 °C for humidity control (option on 9‑ft+ carom tables).
- Steel I‑Beam Sub‑Frames – Many 10‑ft units ride on twin powder‑coated I‑beams to prevent sag, allowing <0.15 mm bed deviation over the life of the table.
- Dowelling & Cam‑Lock Joinery – Zero‑glue rail joints permit repeated assembly without tolerance loss, vital for international tournament logistics.
- Water‑Based UV Lacquer – Full cure in 90 seconds, emitting 85 % fewer VOCs than traditional solvent finishes.
3. Flagship Models & Specifications (2025 Catalogue)
| Discipline | Model | Size(s) | Core Specs | Notable Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3‑Cushion Carom | Grand Prix | 10 ft / 11 ft | 50 mm heated slate • micrometre levelling feet • Artemis K‑lemons | LED shot‑clock rail, custom veneer inlays |
| 3‑Cushion Carom | Champion | 10 ft | 40 mm slate • single‑piece oak rails • no‑heat platform | Club bundle (ball set + cloth + scoreboard) |
| Pool | Classic USA | 9 ft | 25 mm slate • K‑55 rubber • drop pockets | BCA‑spec leather net baskets |
| Pool | Søgaard PRO | 8 ft / 9 ft | Solid ash frame • precision‑cut pocket castings • slate‑level adjusters | Black Edition matte finish |
| Skittle‑Billiard | Viking | 8 ft | Integrated diamond guides • oak cushionframe • vertical bolt rail mounting | Heated 25 mm or 50 mm slate |
| Multi‑Purpose | Nordic Convertible | 7 ft / 8 ft | Magnetic dual‑leaf dining top • recessed pocket drops | Height‑adjustable legs + bench seating bundle |
4. Export Markets & Dealer Network
Roughly 60 % of revenue now comes from export sales. Top destinations include Germany, Spain, Sweden, the United States, South Korea, and Mexico. International logistics leverage flat‑pack steel sub‑frames and local authorised fitters. A growing U.S. presence is reflected in listings on brands such as Predator’s official dealer map.
5. Sponsorships & Community Impact
- Søren Søgaard Premier League – Top‑tier Danish club championship bearing the company name since 2000.
- European 5‑Pin Championship 2022 – Title sponsor alongside Simonis, providing six heated Grand Prix tables for live broadcast.
- Grass‑Roots Grants – Annual equipment subsidies to junior clubs in Jutland and Zealand regions.
6. Leadership & Corporate Snapshot
Keld Okholm Søgaard (Managing Director) took over daily operations in 2001, steering the company toward automation and sustainability certifications without offshoring production. Søgaard A/S operates as a fully family‑owned Aktieselskab (A/S) with 2024 revenue reported at DKK 58 million.
7. Why the Brand Endures
- Player‑Centric R&D – Designers still include active national‑team players feeding real‑match feedback into prototypes.
- Local Craft, Global Spec – EU timber, slate & finishes plus worldwide compliance (UMB, EPBF, WPBSA, BCA).
- Sustainable Processes – In‑house pellet‑burner heats finishing booths, cutting factory CO₂ by 32 % (2020‑2024).
- Long‑Tail Support – 30‑year guarantees on rail components and gasket‑free replacement cushions keep vintage tables in play.
0 comments