From ancient times

Dignity and tradition are attached to the glove that stretches far back in history. It symbolized power and honour, sealed important trade deals and challenged them to battle.

1230s

When French monks planted the Kalmus flower in the Gudenå river, they couldn't anticipate the revolutionary impact this would have on Randers and the city's glove trade.

1684

The history of Randers Gloves goes back to the Middle Ages, but it was not until 1684 that the profession was officially recognized in Randers as a trade of its own.

1720 – 1777

The 18th Century was Randers' heyday as a glove city. As the dominant industry, a fifth of the town's 2,500-3,000 inhabitants made a living by making gloves, which were sold all over Europe.

1811

In 1811 the entrepreneurial O.C. Kellermann founded "Randers Glove Factory". He invited French skilled glove makers and tanners to Randers, and revolutionized the industry.

1817-1887

The Mattat family expanded Randers Glove Factory and exported gloves for Germany, France and Russia. The family also introduced the still vital tradition of doing local charity.

1893 - 1927

Modernization, globalization, trade and branding were the key efforts of Marinus Thomsen's takeover of the glove factory in 1893. He also introduced the image of the iconic "Randers girl".

1927

A new era started when banker Ejnar Vejrum took over Randers Handskefabrik and stabilized the company after the tumultuous times of the 1910s and 1920s.

1930s

The Vejrum family worked tirelessly to reinstate the factory and products into their former glory, and the import restrictions introduced in the 1930s helped gain market shares from foreign glove makers.

1940s

The occupation of Denmark made the import of hides and leathers impossible, causing the factory to test the use of other, more exotic raw materials, while the fear of sabotage was ever-present. 

1950s

Europe was again open for trade, and this enabled Vejrum to import a wide range of gloves. The decade also saw the rise of more automobiles and thus the iconic driving glove, developed in 1957.

1960s

Fashion changed during the 1960s paving the way for clothes made from leather, and the prét-a-porter collection "RH" was actually more popular than the company's renowned gloves until the 1980s.

1970's

These were difficult times for glove manufacturing in Denmark due to the high degree of import. This made Randers Glove Factory the last of its sort in Denmark.

1987

After 60 years in charge, Ejner Vejrum entrusted the company with his two sons, Erik and Arne. It was also in this decade that the FBI and MI5 discovered the extreme durability of a pair of special gloves.

1990s

The task of gloving the Danish Police force saved the glove factory in the 1990s. And in 1992 Danish athletes wore a specially designed pair of gloves for the Winter Olympics.

2000

In 2000 - on the Queen's 60th birthday, Randers Glove Factory was appointed Purveyor to the Royal Danish Court, marking a high point in the long-standing relationship with the Royal Palace.

2019

With a mission to safeguard the craftsmanship and heritage of the company, Rina Hansen and her family took over the historical company as the 5th owner family in the company's history.

2020s

The company’s name was updated to RHANDERS in 2019. A name with deep roots in heritage and history chosen to rebuild the premium lifestyle brand and revive age-old traditions in innovative ways.