Background
He was born in Sykkylven, son of Elling Sivertsen Ekornes (1878–1966) and Berte Jensine Jensdatter Vik (1884–1968).
He was born in Sykkylven, son of Elling Sivertsen Ekornes (1878–1966) and Berte Jensine Jensdatter Vik (1884–1968).
In 1934, he founded the furniture company J. East. Ekornes Fjærfabrikk in Sykkylven. He visited the United States several times, to learn his trade. Upon his death in 1976, Martin Ekornes took over as chief executive.