european-kitchen-design.com

Mandemakers Kitchens

With Eurocucina just around the corner, some big kitchen industry news - In an official statement, Thursday, Feb. 25th, 2010, Nobia AB chief, Mr. Preben Bager announced that Nobia (the world’s largest manufacturer and seller of kitchens), sold the Pronorm brand and their 50% shares of Culinoma to the Dutch retailer Mandemakers. The price - 493 million SEK, the equivalent of just under 50 million Euro and a book value loss of 77 million SEK(!)

Nobia AB Group

The announcement did not come as a total surprise - according to KBB Review, the Nobia Group’s sales for its 2009 financial year, which runs from January to December, came to SKr 15.4 billion (£1.36 billion), down 4% from the same period in 2008. Also, its loss after tax was SKr 79 million compared to a profit for 2008 of SKr 529 million - a 115% drop! The company blames this on the declining market demand, particularly in the Nordic region, and the cost of restructuring as it closed various factories

Pronorm Kitchens

The other major brands of the Nobia Group include HTH and Invita in Denmark; Novart with the brands A la Carte, Petra and Parma in Finland; Norema and Sidgal in Norway; Marbodal and Myresjokok in Sweden; Optifit, and Poggenpohl in Continental European countries.

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Besides to stainless steel and stone, he used rare and precious fossil durmast oak

One of my personal all time favorite kitchen designers is Marco Gorini - at the Milan Design Week, in 2009, Gorini has done it again. He introduced the Strato 031 concept – another great kitchen design with a new twist. In the Strato 031, Gorini searched for unique designs, combined with the use of very unique materials. Besides to stainless steel and stone, he used rare and precious fossil durmast oak – the unusual wood, which isn’t originating from deforestation but rather form the subsoil, fruit of the course of nature which gave it its special smoky look.

the Strato 031 concept – another great kitchen design with a new twist

Strato 031 is made up of two units: a pantry area, against the wall and an island that is also doubling as a table. The tall unit (pantry) is made up of a satin finished stainless steel structure, with integrated fossil durmast oak doors. The two central doors are fitted out with foldaway opening (pocket doors) and integrated electrical appliances. The two side pantry cabinets are used for storage - their interior structure is finished in brown stone and the shelves in glass. According to Strato - the finishes and the luxurious touches must not be found only in the exterior parts, but also on the interior parts that may be seen only by us.

The island is special and complex, both in terms of its appearance, as well as its functionality

The island is special and complex, both in terms of its appearance, as well as its functionality. Stainless steel structure, covered top and fronts panels in fossil durmast oak and stainless and wood interior to match. The worktop is covered by three panels - two of them are sliding and allow access to cooking and washing area (note the special folding faucet that allows that). One of the panels becomes a table, when pulled out.

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While trade shows around the world are facing difficult times getting exhibits to show and attendees to come to the show, the kitchen industry is no difference - the Germany Cologne kitchen show, is pretty much done, the US KBIS last show, in Atlanta, had days with more exhibitors then attendees, walking down the aisles and many other shows that emerged in recent years (such The K&B Luxury show) are all history.

kuechentrends-2009

In spite of the above, one small show in Munich, Germany, is fighting to establish itself as an authority in the industry. Since 2008, around March/April, they have been meeting for a couple of days, in Munich Germany, in a trade show format, with stand exhibits and industry panel discussions.  

küchentrends (Kitchen Trends)

For 2010, küchentrends (Kitchen Trends) will be featuring a few new products, together with brands that have been displaying in previous years, covering more than 6,000 square meters of exhibit space. True, 6,000 square meters is approx the size of one or two big stand at Eurocucina, in Milan, but we can all agree that size doesn’t matter, even when it comes to kitchen trade shows - level of exhibits and quality of the content and information/ideas obtained is key to a successful trade show.

We wish küchentrends all the best and who knows, this may be the next big industry trade show…

After European-Kitchen-Design.com was the first to report (Sept. 12th, 2009) about the new Philippe Starck kitchen line/brand, that will replace the Miele brand and the reasons behind the change, we now have images of the new collection.  

“STARCK BY Warendorf”

The AFG Arbonia-Forster Holding AG together with the Warendorfer Küchen GmbH published a press release on the 23rd of September making the announcement official. 

According to the company, the “…many innovative features it has been specifically designed to create buying incentives: Yellow mirrored glass as a new front material and attractive trumpet feet for the new functional tables. Above all this new kitchen concept represents a massive departure from the traditional, made-to-measure, built-in kitchens of the past. Moreover its variably combinable elements permit its adaptation to any size or style of room.”

“Warendorf” will replace “Miele KITCHENS”

A preliminary presentation of the Philippe Starck design organised by Warendorfer Küchen GmbH for the retail advisory committee prior to the brand name change was greeted positively: “Sales-led design that will appeal to a broad range of customers.” The basic message of the event in Bielefeld was clear: A new force is emerging from Warendorf and is also called “Warendorf”. 

Yellow mirrored glass

We do not publish opinions and always remain neutral - we just report about industry news and design trends - what do you think about this new product line?

“Sales-led design that will appeal to a broad range of customers.”

Philippe Starck will design exclusive kitchens for AFG

According to a press release from Arbon (Switzerland), from 16 January 2009. - AFG Arbonia-Forster-Holding AG, Arbon, one of Europe’s leading building products suppliers, has concluded an exclusive partnership agreement with French star designer Philippe Starck. In the first instance Philippe Starck will design exclusive kitchens for AFG, which will be marketed to an equally exclusive group of clients through the company’s existing distribution network. These Philippe Starck kitchens will complement AFG’s existing range of premium kitchens. The plan is to present the first models at the “Küchenmeile A30″ kitchen furniture trade fair in Germany in September 2009, and then to launch them on the market from October onwards. The kitchens will bear the unmistakable design hallmark of Philippe Starck, many of whose creations have won the world’s most prestigious design and architecture awards and today enjoy cult status.

AFG Arbonia-Forster-Holding AG produces around 20,000 kitchens every year at its production facilities in Switzerland and Germany. With its Piatti, Forster Küchen and Miele Die Küche brands, this makes AFG one of Europe’s leading kitchen manufacturers. “Together with Philippe Starck we are reasserting our claim to be an industry leader in terms of our products’ design, user-friendly functionality and distinctive identity,” says Edgar Oehler, Chairman and CEO of AFG. “With Philippe Starck and his charismatic qualities as a designer, we are setting new standards for exclusive kitchens”.

According to the European-kitchen-design.com exclusive sources, the reason for this partnership is due to the agreement AFG Arbonia-Forster-Holding AG made with Miele 3 years ago - starting at the end of 2010, AG will no longer be able to market its kitchens under the Miele name. Without the Miele name, AFG’s kitchens will become the most expensive ‘no brand’ kitchens in the world… AFG hopes that the partnership with designer Philippe Starck will replace the Miele brand name and will allow them to continue marketing their products at the high end price range.

Kitchen brands Smallbone of Devizes and Mark Wilkinson Furniture look set to continue under new ownership.

Mark Wilkinson has been retained as head of design and it is believed that Martin Warbrick will take a sales and marketing role in the new company.

Smallbone of Devizes

On 19 March 2009, Rob Lewis and Mark Shires of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were appointed as administrators to Smallbone plc and its UK subsidiaries, Smallbone & Co (Devizes) Limited and Mark Wilkinson Furniture Limited.

Immediately following their appointment, the administrators completed a sale of the business and assets of Smallbone and Mark Wilkinson to Canburg Limited, a company owned by Leo Caplan.

The sale secures the employment of over 400 staff and protects the position of customer deposits taken by the companies prior to the administration.

As part of the sales agreement, Canburg has agreed to honour orders where customers have paid deposits.

Mark Wilkinsons

Leo Caplan is one of those larger-than-life characters rarely found in the KBB market. He famously founded Morgan Brookes who supply a range of digital copying, telecoms, IT and document management systems in 1999 using money from the sale of his Porsche.

The appointment of Martin Warbrick, if confirmed, shows that Caplan knows a thing or two about running a kitchen company as well.

Warbrick is arguably one of the kitchen industry’s most skilful marketers. Together with David Saxby he was responsible for establishing SieMatic in Britain. More recently he was the driving force behind the development of Christians as an exclusive, upmarket kitchen both in the UK and the USA.

Meanwhile, it is believed that a number of managerial staff will be leaving the Smallbone and Mark Wilkinson brands; these do not include Cynthia Wilkinson who has been retained as a consultant in recognition of the managerial skill she has brought to Mark Wilkinson Furniture over many years.

Smallbone had a turnover of £21 million in 2008, and employed 161 people, 129 in Devizes in Wiltshire and 32 based at 12 showrooms around the UK. Mark Wilkinson had a turnover of £26 million in 2008. It employs 277 people, with 200 in Bromham and 77 in showrooms around the UK.
Kitchen brands Smallbone of Devizes and Mark Wilkinson Furniture look set to continue under new ownership.

Mark Wilkinson has been retained as head of design and it is believed that Martin Warbrick will take a sales and marketing role in the new company.
On 19 March 2009, Rob Lewis and Mark Shires of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were appointed as administrators to Smallbone plc and its UK subsidiaries, Smallbone & Co (Devizes) Limited and Mark Wilkinson Furniture Limited.

Immediately following their appointment, the administrators completed a sale of the business and assets of Smallbone and Mark Wilkinson to Canburg Limited, a company owned by Leo Caplan.

The sale secures the employment of over 400 staff and protects the position of customer deposits taken by the companies prior to the administration.
As part of the sales agreement, Canburg has agreed to honour orders where customers have paid deposits.

Leo Caplan is one of those larger-than-life characters rarely found in the KBB market. He famously founded Morgan Brookes who supply a range of digital copying, telecoms, IT and document management systems in 1999 using money from the sale of his Porsche.

The appointment of Martin Warbrick, if confirmed, shows that Caplan knows a thing or two about running a kitchen company as well.

Warbrick is arguably one of the kitchen industry’s most skilful marketers. Together with David Saxby he was responsible for establishing SieMatic in Britain. More recently he was the driving force behind the development of Christians as an exclusive, upmarket kitchen both in the UK and the USA.

Meanwhile, it is believed that a number of managerial staff will be leaving the Smallbone and Mark Wilkinson brands; these do not include Cynthia Wilkinson who has been retained as a consultant in recognition of the managerial skill she has brought to Mark Wilkinson Furniture over many years.

Smallbone had a turnover of £21 million in 2008, and employed 161 people, 129 in Devizes in Wiltshire and 32 based at 12 showrooms around the UK. Mark Wilkinson had a turnover of £26 million in 2008. It employs 277 people, with 200 in Bromham and 77 in showrooms around the UK.

The Eclettica 

Marco Gorini designed Eclettica, for Starto - a kitchen boasting extraordinarily original lines, originated from a long research and a passion for quality and sophistication. Eclettica takes artistic purity and gives it expression, in its unique elliptical lines, the like of which have never before been seen in kitchens. With its large elliptical shapes, Eclettica features a rotating centerpiece and 180° opening which allows separate use of the cooking and clean-up areas. The strict linearity of the two operating areas, distinguished by their pure and essential shapes, contrasts with the curves of the elliptical element and the irregularity of the wood grain which covers much of the surface. Eclettica sees the kitchen as being formally re-evaluated and reinvented, transformed into an environment which reflects the style and personality of its owner. Eclettica stands for a convivial spirit, an exclusive mixture of design and functionality, a creation which is unafraid to be completely different from everything else since its success lies precisely in its uniqueness, its willingness to shirk canons and conventions.

Eclettica kitchen design - Marco Gorini, for Starto Cucine

Conceived in its entirety by kitchen designer Marco Gorini, this extraordinary piece of design involves an interplay of parallel lines which yields uncountable combinations of form and materials. The endless combinations offered, even when used in antithetical fashion, nonetheless result in an overall homogeneity and coherence reflecting the very refined standards which have always distinguished the philosophy of this company, a veritable champion among Italian kitchen companies. Like the majority of Strato kitchens, Kubista was conceived following a modular logic in order to yield a very flexible and personalized product allowing the best possible use of space. Marco Gorini has created this new work using logical and coherent criteria of division and combination of spaces and volumes in order to give the best in living performance. The Kubista kitchen is offered in two solutions: horizontal for the operational area and vertical for the area for food and utensil storage. Both feature new 0155 program front panels, a natural evolution of the 015, manufactured with slanting profile in sought-after Canaletto wood. 

The Kubista Kitchen Design - Marco Gorini, for Starto Cucine

 The Non Plus Ultra Evolution

 Kitchen designer, Marco Gorini, designed this Non Plus Ultra Evolution kitchen for Strato, enhancing their high-end kitchen collection. The result is an original research project, involving the most sought-after of materials, a passion for crafts excellence and minute attention down to the last detail. Non Plus Ultra Evolution is a real work station, assembled in a single block of stainless steel. The three pieces making up the whole fit together perfectly to a thickness of 80 cm, the level of the upper surface of each block, yielding a sort of “Gulliverian” puzzle. 

The Non Plus Kitchen Design - Marco Gorini, for Starto Cucine

Many of you have asked me for a ‘top 10 list’ of European kitchen companies. Being that in my mind ‘Top 10′ is not just about company size and/or sales volume (especially in today’s economy…) I’m still working on that list for you and sooner or later it will be posted.
In the mean time, with the help of a good friend (thank you, A.S.), I was able to come up with the list of the largest companies in the European kitchen brands for you.

                                               
The difficult part about coming up with such a list is how do you measure size, or I should say - by what parameters. I see, some European companies are actually part of a Group - they own several kitchen brands/factories, not necessarily all in the same country (!). Some manufacture kitchens but also sell retail, through a chain of factory owned stored. They may produce less kitchens, then another company, but if you add their retail sales, to their wholesale figures and then add appliances (manufactured by appliance companies, counters and even labor, the comparison is simply not easy.

So with the above in mind, the only way to create the list (without going nuts) is really just by total sales figures (Europeans like to use the term - ‘Turnover’). So here is the list:

1. Nobia Group (Sweden) - There are many companies in this group, like Poggenpohl and Pronorm (Germany), HTH (Denmark), Marbodal (Sweden), Sigdal (Norway), EWE (Austria), plus, they also have a retail-network in the group - Magnet (UK).
2. Nobilia (Germany) - one company.
3. Alno Group - Alno, Wellmann, Pino and Impuls (Germany).
4. Cuisine Schmidt (France) - including a retail-network.
5. Häcker (Germany) - one company.
6. Nolte (Germany) - one company.
7. Mobalpa (France) - including a retail-network.
8. Schüller (Germany) - one company.
9. Bauformat Group - Bauformat and Burger (Germany).
10. Snaidero Group - Snaidero (Italy), Rational (Germany and including retail-networks like Ixina and Cuisine-Plus.

Some intresting facts:

•  The majority of the companies, in the above list, are from Germany and the Scandinavian countries.  In that part of Europe, the groups (or concerns) are very typical and have been around since before Columbus discovered America… (no joke!).
• The only Italian company is in the tenth spot - unlike the northern Europeans, in the southern part of Europe, the opposite is more common - smaller companies, privately owned and operated. Even inside Italy, the more south you go, the smaller and more family owned and operated the companies are. With that said, there are a lot more Italian kitchen companies operating and selling kitchens, then there are German and Scandinavian combined…
• If we only consider single factory sales, without retail sales and/or other companies in the Group, the largest one is Nobilia, from Denmark, then  Häcker, Nolte and Schüller, from Germany.
• This list is not guaranteed, as many companies do not publish their sales figures but is fairly close to reality. Also, the list can change in one day, if one of the groups decides to sell off a factory or two, or in return, to acquire a couple of brands.

I just had to ’stick’ that line in there - if you don’t remember, it is from Beverly Hills Cop, when Serge (Bronson Pinchot), who was working at the art gallery, is offering Det. Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) a cup of espresso.

When this movie came out, the espresso ‘craze’ was already at full swing - everyone were getting the personal espresso machines that set on the counter, in the kitchen and usually made very mediocre espresso, at best.

Then, about 7-8 years ago, Miele came out with the first built-in espresso maker. One that gets built into the cabinetry, the same way a wall oven does. High end kitchens were never the same, after that… Even if you were not a coffee drinker, you had to get one of these babies put into your kitchen or your kitchen was just not ‘it’!

Miele espresso system

With the push of one button, you get an excellent cup of espresso and as long as you use good coffee and fresh water, your espresso (or cappuccino) will as good as any coffee shop out there, maybe even better.

Miele coffee machine warming drawer

Within a couple of years, several other brands have come out with their own built in coffee makers - Gaggenau, Dacor, Kuppersbusch and others, all have their own but Miele have definitely ‘cornered’ this segment of the market. Being the first and now offering more choices, sizes and a great service put them up front. You can now get one that is capsules driven or stick to the whole bean system. You can get a unit that is plumbed in or one that needs to be refilled. You can add a warming drawer, to keep your cups warm or just a matching drawer to store your coffee and accessories. You can even get a coffe maker that is reduced in depth, to fit into a standard wall cabinet.

Gaggenau coffee maker

An Exclusive Tip for European Kitchen Design Readers!!! - If you just want an excellent espresso maker and are not ready for a new kitchen, you can just purchase the same machine, but the counter model, that is as good as the built in one or perhaps even a newer model.  The espresso maker, inside the Miele coffee maker, is made by a company named Saeco, who makes some of the best espresso machines in the market.

A very big part of the European kitchen design overall look are the European appliances - from the traditional, old world look of AGA, La Cornue, Godin and Lacanche, to the slick, modern, minimalistic look of Miele, Gaggenau and Scholtès, European appliance companies are not just setting the tone, in term of design, they practically ’own’ the appliance market in the entire world!

Besides the American market where the majority of appliances sold in it are American made, just like the case with the European cabinets - the world is using mostly European appliances. Companies from Italy, Germany, France, Spain and a few other European brands are found almost everywhere in the world! 

European appliances are ranging from inexpensive appliances, made by firms such as Fagor, Creda and Amica, all the way to the a €30,000 (approx $45,000) range by la Cornue.