Maxwell Albert “Max” Jensen, founder of Jensen Outdoor, died on July 10 at age 71.
The Australian entrepreneur launched Jensen Jarrah in 1980, using native Western Australian hardwoods — such as jarrah — to build outdoor furniture. Many of Jensen’s early designs were made by repurposing timber cutoffs from flooring mills, laying the foundation for the company’s dedication to sustainable forestry.
During the early 1990s, Jensen introduced his outdoor furnishings to the North American market. And as the availability of jarrah declined during the 2000s because of overuse in the flooring industry, Jensen decided to pivot. In 2008, he partnered with the Roda Group in Bolivia to transition the brand to using FSC-certified ipe timber, changing the name to Jensen Leisure Furniture.
Jensen stepped away from the company shortly thereafter, but his mark on its design ethos and commitment to sustainability endures.
“We extend our respect to Max’s family and colleagues and our gratitude for the lasting standards he set,” the company said in a statement. “His imprint on outdoor design remains visible in every corner of our work.”
