June 24, 2004 COPENHAGEN: Denmark will retire from the Saga co-operation as from Sept. 30, 2004 – by the end of the current auction season. This decision has been agreed upon by the four Nordic fur breeders associations.
“Saga has existed for 50 years. At the time Saga was founded each of the participating countries had their own auction house and the number of skins produced in each country was the same. During the years, the Saga co-operation benefited the Nordic fur breeders, but today we live in a different world with fewer auction houses. Copenhagen Fur Centre is by far the largest followed by the Finnish auction house. This has lead to diversified opinions when it comes to marketing,” states Mr. Erik Ugilt Hansen, chairman of the board of the Danish Fur Breeders Association / Copenhagen Fur Center.
“We are satisfied with the positive retirement from Saga and we look very much forward to build up our own marketing and to the fact that all money spent will benefit skin sales at Copenhagen Fur Center,” Mr Erik Ugilt Hansen continues.
However, co-operation between the Nordic countries will continue.
“We have agreed upon mutual marketing events using a significant amount of money in the coming auction season and we will be in close contact when it comes to political affairs,” says Mr Erik Ugilt Hansen.
The Swedish Fur Breeders Association has also decided to withdraw from the Saga co-operation leaving Norway and Finland as the sole members. Negotiations concerning the Swedish retirement is under way.
In the mean time Copenhagen Fur Center is ready to enforce its position as the world’s largest fur auction house further through an intensified worldwide marketing campaign. Copenhagen Fur Center is setting out for a new goal-oriented marketing, where the most vital element is to establish a global center for fur fashion situated at Langelinie close to the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen.