What Makes a High German So Popular?

In 1960, SieMatic first introduced kitchen with integrated handles (photo). Developments such as these help shape the appearance of the built-in modern kitchen.

a SieMatic kitchens in Germany.

Many German kitchen manufacturer is a family-operated. "I believe that the family-owned company has a special culture which, combined with the market very much shaped by a small family business - in other words, specialized dealers - beautiful function," said Ulrich Siekmann, managing partner SieMatic and a member of the third generation of the company.

"When circumstances require it, a person can receive a little suffering in the short term in order to pass the company to the next generation," says Siekmann.

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a hacker kitchen in Dubai.

2 "Made in Germany" has a good reputation all over the world
"The early bird catches the worm" - and he is exporting the first to have the best chance to be a dog on. The success of the German kitchen brand in Europe dates to 1950 and 1960 - the year the German economic miracle. It was for many years that most German kitchen manufacturers started to export.

The companies' market traditionally strongest Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, France and the UK; recently, countries such as Russia, China and the United States has become the focus. German kitchen manufacturers typically export their products up to 60 countries. percentage of their exports ranging from around 40% of production (hacker) is almost 80% (Bulthaup).

industry benefits from a wide range of kitchen offered by the German brand. Italy, another kitchen producer, known more for luxury brands, such as Boffi, with a smaller volume.

Fun facts Even in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican the Pope you will find German kitchen (SieMatic).

A Leicht kitchens in England.

Today, a special German kitchen studio based in countries around the world, from the United States to Australia and the Netherlands to the UK. The label "Made in Germany", was introduced in England in the 19th century - and intended then to prevent people from making purchases - has been a hallmark of quality

A eggersmann kitchen in Copenhagen.

Exports are the engine of growth, but the domestic market, with a comparably high purchasing power and spirited competition between brands, is the foundation. This is an all-German game there: in 2014, the volume of export exceeded import volume by a factor of 14.

foreign kitchen manufacturers can not get their foot in the door in Germany. For upholstered furniture, look completely different - a two-and-a-half times as much as the imported exported

market and volume production is a boon .: they guarantee a good price, which provides a good income, which make investments in production and research as possible, which results in a better product, and the cycle repeats.

A withdrawal by Hafele LeMans.

3 German kitchens advantage of the engineering tradition
Germany - if you'll pardon the cliche - the land of nerds and engineers. This is revealed not only in the car industry, but also in the industry of bathroom and kitchen.

A kitchen is a complex product, and most major functions. How easily does not open the cabinet? How useful is the internal layout? How long all last with everyday use? "I believe we in Germany have a good background in engineering. In the case of the kitchen, for example, means that industrial fittings," said this SieMatic Siekmann. "These companies have contributed to the development of catering industry in terms of quality and functionality during the last 40 to 50 years."

There are hidden champions, as Hafele fitting of the Swabian town of Nagold - also established in 1920 - which is famous throughout the world. Techniques are often developed in an exclusive partnership with specific manufacturers.

" Made in Germany "refers, in the case of the kitchen, practically every component. It is interesting, in this case, to note the geographic clustering. For example, 33 of the 76 German manufacturer of a full kitchen, located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia; 57% of the 16,400 people employed in the catering industry jobs there. Many other manufacturers are located in Bavaria and Swabia, and with them, their suppliers.

Why is that important grouping? Because of the short distances, increasing cooperation in the long term. For example, hackers Kitchen has been working for more than 50 years with fittings manufacturer Hettich, is located nearby. Head hacker sales, Mark Sander, said, "We can go up there on a bike! Although long attachments, they naturally have to continue to participate in the competition, but as long as they grow as innovative as their competitors, collaboration survive."

A Nolte kitchen in Moscow ,

outside furniture, many other components - from additional equipment for electrical equipment - an important element in the kitchen. And here, too, noted the manufacturer can be found in Germany, many of them small companies or family-run with the same values ​​with kitchen manufacturers.

In the field of auxiliary equipment and sink, this would include, among other things, Dornbracht, Blanco and Hansgrohe (founded in 101 in the Swabian town of Schiltach). When it comes to electrical equipment, there is the Munich-based BSH Home Appliances, the largest home appliance manufacturers in Europe; Miele, was founded in 1899 and is still family-run; Gaggenau, which can trace its origins back to 1683, the industry ironware; and Neff, established in northern Baden in 1877.

kitchen supply company also benefits from the German technical know-how. At the end of the 19th century, Carl von Linde founded modern refrigeration technology Linde process. Before that, iceboxes and underground ice cooled with ice! Linde AG, founded in 1879, quickly became a leader in cooling technology across Europe.

The first industrial ideal, modern refrigerators in Europe was developed in 1927-1928 by Zschopauer Motor Works in Saxony. Years later, in 1992, the world's first chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) -free refrigerator in modern times produced by the company Dkk Scharfenstein (then under the name Foron) in Saxony.

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A Poggenpohl in Atlanta.

4 kitchen German timely completion
However, anybody could theoretically get good material today. When asked what the German kitchen manufacturers generally distinguished from all the others, Michael Wunram, managing director Eggersmann, replied, "It certainly should be more reliability in the delivery and execution of the creative aspects."

Stefan Waldenmeier, chairman of the board at Leicht kitchen and the Association of Kitchen Furniture Industry Germany, says, "kitchen Germany is distinguished by total package them, which consists of the availability of planning data digital quality for a wide range of suppliers kitchen, graphic confirmation of net orders, control orders, logistics delivery and adherence to delivery dates "-. addition to the quality in the production and design of

A Nobilia kitchens in Switzerland.

In short, no matter who the manufacturer or CEO you ask, they all look different strengths when it comes to delivery. "It's more difficult to send 40 or 50 components of the kitchen, from the closet to the base, to a point somewhere in the world than to ship a sofa there. And I believe the kitchenware industry Germans have mastered this subject nicely," Siekmann of SieMatic said.

Ultimately, kitchen buyers would not have to wait two weeks for the oven and four missing front to arrive; he wanted everything on the site at the same time. A close network of suppliers on hand in Germany later became clear advantage also for logistics.

a Bulthaup kitchens in France.

5 Form follows function
Is there, then, something is wrong with German kitchen? Many may be the name of the design as a weak point - because Germany is not exactly known for having a lot to say when it comes to style. In spite of all the knowledge, efficiency and functionality, style often falls by the wayside in Germany (and not just the kitchen).

"The Italians are naturally benchmark in design competence, of course, and we look to them to try to learn something. But they also can learn something from us," says Siekmann. "Also, the individuality of the North American producers, which approach a country-style kitchen, is recorded."

A Alno kitchen in London.

But the Germans tried to catch up. Stefan Waldenmeier of Leicht refers to "the development of German design that follows the tradition of the Bauhaus and find international acceptance".

"Less is more" and "form follows function" is the maxim that describe a "typical" German style well. For the kitchen (and bathroom), this may suit the needs of both, simple and restrained designs are more in demand for these long-lived than the purchase of decorative trends, and both room types have great technical demands.

A Leicht Xtend + rack system.

"If people in the US see the kitchen Germany, they felt it was very futuristic," says Mayan Metzler, who sells kitchen Germany in New York. That may be because the design innovations are often technology-driven Germany.

The Xtend + light shelves Unit by Leicht (pictured above and below) is an example. Aluminum wall shelf with integrated LED light connects to the electricity carrier vertical tracks in the desired position; no additional wiring required. Slatted door includes open shelving with the push of a button.

The SieMatic S1 praised in 09 for integrated lighting systems, hi-fi components and an iPod docking station. Some manufacturers, including Tielsa and Sachsenküchen (with the Ergomatic) recently added a height-adjustable kitchen islands to their offering.

Hacker is offering an integrated, invisible sound system in the kitchen, where the kitchen is used as a basis resonating body. You can connect via Bluetooth; do not need to have a docking station on your desk.

Eggersmann Unique kitchen series in limestone.

Some German boutique manufacturer also recently established ourselves as a result of their special design. A good example is Eggersmann, a small company that produces about 5,000 kitchens every year, including a series of Unique (photo)

Eggersmann this Wunram, a company's fourth generation of men, saying: ". In this series we only use authentic materials, such as the original stone, stainless steel hot-rolled and Corian - and consistent, not only to the work surface "It makes sense only if the work is right is in the hands of

Hidden Warendorf's kitchen.

Warendorf, meanwhile, has developed Hidden Kitchen, Kitchen single-wall to disappear completely behind the panel that has the look of Cor-Ten steel - fit, it may , for large lofts. But come to think of it, the kitchen Germany almost nothing to hide.


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