Heritage - Hans Jensen Lubricators (2024)

Introduction to the traditions, achievements and culture of our company.

Hans Jensen Lubricators (HJL) was founded by engineer Hans Peter Jensen in 1917. The company initially made equipment for farmers, but soon switched to producing cylinder lubrication systems for large marine engines.

It is within this particular niche that HJL has become world renowned, and continues to commit itself more than 100 years after its humble beginnings.

ORIGINS (1917-1924)

Creative visionary

After sailing for 7 years at sea with DFDS, Hans Peter Jensen went ashore and started a small blacksmith shop in Amager (Copenhagen).

The driving force was the urge to create products and solutions that matters – and be his own master. From the beginning the set of values meant that ‘things were done properly’ as stated in the printed centenary in 2017.

– If you make a business agreement, you keep it, whether it’s good or bad. If you calculated incorrectly, you only have yourself to blame. A deal is a deal!

This is the kind of integrity that came from the founder and has been passed on from generation to generation.

EXPANSION (1924-1977)

Leaving Copenhagen

During the late 1960’s it became clear that the production facilities had become too cramped and outdated, so either new buildings had to be built, or other alternatives had to be considered.

The company’s founder, Hans Peter Jensen, had already delegated operational responsibility to the next generation of hte family, who would decide to relocate manufacturing from Messinavej in Copenhagen to Smedevænget in Hadsund by 1976 .

Diversification

In 1973 the 3rd generation of the Jensen family took over management. Soon after the first oil crisis hit the world economy, and the sale of cylinder lubricators decreased for a while leading to other areas of business.

With a modern engineering works, the company was well equipped to meet future challenges and supplement the manufacture of cylinder lubricators with other products.

The company became subcontractor for a number of major Danish and foreign companies, such as Danfoss, Grundfos, Dronningborg Maskinfabrik and parts for Volvo’s construction machinery, and supplying emergency power generators to the American aircraft factory, General Dynamics, producing the F-16 combat aircraft.

NARROWING FOCUS (1986)

In the mid-eighties there was a change in strategy. The times of crisis were over and global trade had picked up again. This ment a decision to approach the shipowners directly to a much greater extent than in the previous years. The role as subcontractor were coming to an end.

There is a historical relationship between the mechanical lubricators first presented in 1923 and the ones produced in recent years. But here, all comparison stops – both with regard to the products and the customer base.

In the ‘good old days’, mechanical lubricators where produced exclusively, then packed into boxes and shipped to eg. Korea, Japan or China, where the engineers installed the lubricators in the ship’s engines.

The new business model would look quite different. Ship owners were the main segment to benefit from HJL solutions, i.e. the shipping companies, tanker operators and bulk carriers. Now the company began the shift from being a classic manufacturer to adding several services to the hardware.

INNOVATION NEXT LEVEL (1997-)

The SIP valve

Ever since Hans Jensens Maskinfabrik launched the first lubricator back in 1923, there has been continuous development, but things really began to take off in the 1990’s.

In 1997, engineer Jørn Dragsted, who was, at the time, A.P. Møller Mærsk’s technical manager, contacted HJL. The people at A.P. Møller had the idea of a new lubrication principle that they needed help for developing. The idea was that the lubricating oil should be sprayed onto the cylinder wall and not onto the piston itself.

After initial experiments it quickly showed, that it was possible using high pressure. Patents were taken on the new injection principle, after which development began.

The new lubrication principle ensured a much better and more economical distribution of the cylinder lubricant oil, and became known as the HJ SIP, which stands for “Swirl Injection Principle.” Here, the engine’s flushing air is utilized to distribute the cylinder lubricating oil.

For each piston stroke in the cylinder, a small amount of cylinder lubricating oil is sprayed onto the cylinder liner wall.

In 2004, fourth generation of the Jensen family entered the company.

INTERNATIONALIZATION (2006-2013)

By 2006 HJL established the first office in Shanghai, China, and in 2013 the Singapore office opened. The establishment of offices abroad marked a pivotal step towards global presence.

Activities in China were significantly strengthened in the coming years, and liaisons with the largest engine builders and shipping companies where established – amongst others, the largest Chinese shipping company, Cosco Shipping.

The decision to establish a branch in Singapore, should strengthen presence in Asia. It made it possible to build closer relationships with customers, based on physical presence, service and knowledge-sharing.

JOINS G&O MARITIME GROUP (2022)

Hans Jensen Lubricators recently joined G&O Maritime Group to strengthen growth and development as the green transition in shipping gives rise to new opportunities.

G&O Maritime Group is a Danish-based supplier to the global maritime industry manufacturing a range of quality products for leading shipping companies, shipyards and engine manufacturers in the companies Gertsen & Olufsen, Atlas Incinerators, Pres-Vac Engineering and Heco International.

The group has – in addition to HJL – around 200 employees and is headquartered in Denmark with manufacturing in Denmark and China as well as licensed production in Korea.

By joining G&O, Hans Jensen Lubricators gains stronger financial muscles that enables further growth while continously focus on R&D along with expansion of the sales organization and service network globally.