who we are

Bang-Knudsen, Inc. is a multiple line independent manufacturers’ representative agency serving the Western region since 1978.  Our specialty is housewares, selling wholesale only to high-end retailers throughout the Western United States and Canada. Customers include independent specialty retailers, groceries, nationwide chain stores, wholesale distributors,  mail-order and e-commerce retailers.

Jacob Bang-Knudsen and his team bring four generations of family business and many years of experience in marketing home goods to their clients.  We represent major household brands such as: Breville, OXO, Jura, Scanpan, Bodum, Prodyne, Riedel, Rosendahl Design and Vitamix to leading retailers.

Rasmus Bang-Knudsen founded Bang-Knudsen Insenkram (Retail and wholesale housewares & hardware) in the port city of Esbjerg, Denmark in 1893. The retail store is still in business. Rasmus lived in the upstairs apartments with wife Edith and eight children, including son Hugo who became director after the passing of Rasmus. For over 130 years the family has continued in the business of wholesale housewares.

Hugo Bang-Knudsen became Director of Bang-Knudsen upon the death of his father during World War II.  Hugo apprenticed in hardware, housewares store management in  Denmark and Germany prior to the War.  He served in the Danish Royal Lifeguard prior to returning to the family business. While managing the family business Hugo was also active in the Danish Reisistance Movement.

After the War Hugo established fine china, glass and sporting goods equipment in the store and expanded its wholesale hardware business. In 1950 he went on an exploratory trip to the U.S. and decided to emigrate. He worked several years in hardware and department stores in California before establishing his own wholesale manufacturers' representative agency. Between the years of 1957 to 1980 he traveled the West Coast representing various brands of housewares. He and wife Margrethe exhibited at regional gift shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. They opened a showroom in the Merchandise Mart in San Francisco.

Peter Bang-Knudsen is a graduate of University of Oregon, where he met his wife Jill. In 1969 Peter  joined his parents in business after serving as a U.S. Marine Corps officer in Japan, Viet Nam and the U.S.  For three years Peter managed sales and production for a housewares manufacturer in Los Angeles.  Peter worked with Hugo as a traveling sales representative covering all customers between San Diego and Seattle during the 1970's, with Jill. 

In the 1970's Peter promoted and founded the first San Francisco Gourmet Cookware Show.

 Jill and Peter opened a showroom at the Seattle Gift Center in 1978. They pioneered the housewares brand Cuisinarts and built it from one customer to over 250 active accounts during the 1970's and '80's.  Peter collaborated with Sunset Publishers and Starbucks Coffee to produce two unique books for the growing coffee chain. Several new brands in the marketplace (OXO, Jura-Capresso, ScanPan) were pioneered and developed by  Bang-Knudsen's agency throughout the 70's, 80's, 90's and 2000's.

Peter and Jill's sons Jacob and Paul joined the family representative agency and are now embarked on the 4th generation of Bang-Knudsen in the housewares business.

Peter served on the Board of Directors for Boys and Girls Club. He was a founding member and President and Chairman of International Housewares Representatives Association.

Jacob Bang-Knudsen first started working for Bang-Knudsen, Inc. when he was 8 years old, demonstrating how to make crepes in a frying pan during the Seattle Gift Show. After working for his dad informally over the years, he officially joined his father Peter in business in 2003 as a sales associate. Prior to joining the family business Jacob worked at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics as a production assistant for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Jacob is a graduate of University of Washington. He also completed his certification as a Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business. He formerly served on the Board of Directors of International Housewares Representative Association.  He is currently President of Bang-Knudsen, Inc. He enjoys travel, downhill skiing, playing pickleball and fly fishing in his spare time.  Jacob and wife Melissa live on Bainbridge Island, Washington with their two children.

Peter Bang-Knudsen, Jr, EdD 

After dedicating his career to education management, Peter is rejoining our family business. Having previously served on our Board of Directors, Peter has agreed to return in a consultative role. His extensive experience in organizational leadership and financial management adds significant value to our mission. We are pleased to welcome Peter back to our management team.