Our History

From a chemicals agency in Copenhagen in 1962 to a turnkey supplement partner in Hillerød — the people and places behind Silvaco.

Did you know?

Silvaco is named after its founder, Vagn Sølvkjær — sølv is Danish for silver:

Silver
Vagn
Company

Silver grey is also one of the primary colours of our brand and logo.

Silvaco was founded in Copenhagen on 1 December 1962 by Vagn Sølvkjær, as agent for E. Merck of Darmstadt. More agencies followed: active ingredients for pharma, plant extracts and dried herbs for the supplement industry.

Vagn Sølvkjær in a dark checked suit talking with another man, a large computer control panel on the wall behind them — Vagn Sølvkjær (left), who founded Silvaco in 1962

Henrik Petersen joined in 1980 to sell to the food and supplement industries. In 1986 Vagn split the E. Merck agency from the rest of the business. Henrik became co-owner of Silvaco, which moved to Hillerød, north of Copenhagen, and put more focus on supplements and their ingredients.

White two-storey house with a dark mansard roof, dormer windows and a balcony, behind a white picket fence — Our office in Hillerød in the 1990s

Henrik took over Vagn's share in 1992, and in 2007 we built our own office and warehouse in Hillerød. His sons Martin and Nicolai became co-owners in 2015 and have run the company since 2024, when Henrik stepped back after 44 years.

Eight people in a row hold hands with crossed arms under crystal chandeliers, smiling — Henrik Petersen (in the yellow shirt) and Vagn Sølvkjær (in the red tie) at a company party in 1995

Milestones since 1962

1962: Vagn Sølvkjær founds Silvaco in Copenhagen on 1 December, as agent for E. Merck of Darmstadt.
1972: Ten years in business: draught beer and meatballs for good friends at our offices in Copenhagen.
1980: Henrik Petersen joins as sales consultant for the food and supplement industries.
Early 1980s: We move to Virum, with a showroom and workshop for analytical instruments.
1986: Vagn splits the E. Merck agency from the rest of the business. Henrik becomes co-owner, and Silvaco moves to Hillerød with more focus on supplements and their ingredients.
1992: Vagn retires and sells his share; Henrik becomes sole owner.
2007: After two moves within Hillerød in the 1990s, we build our own office and warehouse there.
2015: The warehouse is extended, and Martin and Nicolai Petersen become co-owners.
2024: Henrik steps back from day-to-day management after 44 years; Martin and Nicolai take over.
2026: Our own packing lines open in Hillerød.

We began as a European sourcing and distribution partner for ingredients. Today we are a turnkey partner that takes supplement brands from ingredient to consumer-ready pack — since 2026 with our own packing lines in Hillerød.