Anywhere in the world, the kitchen is central to the life of the family. The so-called heart of the home is where our bodies are nourished, close relationships are strengthened and fond lifelong memories are made. And one German superbrand has been at the forefront of providing families around the world with efficient, comfortable and good-looking kitchens.
In 1892, Friedemir Poggenpohl set up a small company with a simple mission: to improve the kitchen. By introducing white lacquer kitchen furniture, storage innovations and ergonomic worktop heights to the German home, the furniture maker has always been the pioneer in the industry.
Over the past 125 years, the company has stayed true to that innovative spirit and has set the global standard in craftsmanship and modern design. Among Poggenpohl’s other product and technique innovations were the “reform kitchen” in 1928 and the durable and luxurious looking “ten-layer” polished lacquer technique in 1930. The “reform kitchen” was the predecessor of the built-in kitchens that became popular in the 1950s. Until today, this innovative continuous countertop workspace and matching wall units made built-in kitchens synonymous with “German kitchens.”
In 2004, Poggenpohl launched the first kitchen that featured entertainment and smart home technology. Truly unique was the iconic Poggenpohl Kitchen P’7340 Design by Studio F.A. Porsche, the most exceptional and expensive kitchen produced along industrial manufacturing standards.
Over the past decades, the company has become renowned around the world as a top luxury brand and design innovator. It has continuously received various prestigious international awards, such as the Red Dot Design Award and the Good Design Award.
From its headquarters in Herford, Poggenpohl manufactures bespoke “Made in Germany” kitchens in its 54,000–square–meter facility to fulfill orders made at 450 Poggenpohl studios located in more than 70 countries around the world.
“Our most prominent job is to listen to our customers’ dreams and aspirations, consider particular cultural differences at the same time, and turn them into reality,” Poggenpohl Managing Director Thomas Kredatus says.
“There is so much more to what we do than innovation and design. What you find in every piece is passion, heart and a true commitment to enhance the quality of life of our most discerning clients. And we want to spread this legacy around the world,” Kredatus adds.
Already present in all major luxury markets worldwide, including a flagship store in Tokyo, Poggenpohl is looking to further sharpen its presence across Asia.
“Poggenpohl has been very successful in the Asian market thus far thanks to our highly committed retail partners. And, looking ahead, we want to significantly strengthen our partner network,” says Kredatus, referring to the company’s strong interest in attracting Asia’s most renowned property developers to grow the multi-unit project business.
To date, the company has maintained a three-decade long presence in Hong Kong through such a type of partnership.
Poggenpohl also has formed similar partnerships in Beijing and Shanghai, which has resulted in multiple high profile projects in major Chinese cities. Last July, the new Poggenpohl KI Cubus showroom opened in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
As part of its 125th anniversary celebrations, Poggenpohl will unveil a new kitchen design at the International EuroCucina Trade Show to be held in Italy in April this year.
“We are pleased to extend an invitation to visit us in Milan at our grand opening in April 2018. In addition to unveiling a new holistic brand image, we will launch a new kitchen concept that opens up interesting design possibilities that also combine well with existing Poggenpohl kitchen concepts,” Kredatus says.
The Poggenpohl Design Center Milan will feature for the first time a global showroom concept with a new look and feel, one that will open up a variety of collaboration possibilities for current and future partners.
“We see luxury not only in the product but as the sum of many details that make the whole experience perfect. The kitchen is the heart of the home and luxury kitchens are a growth area all over the world. We want to firmly anchor ourselves there in the long term,” Kredatus says.
As Poggenpohl stakes its long-term growth plans on what is expected to be the global economy’s most dynamic region, countless families in Asia can look forward to well-designed kitchens and more fond memories in their homes.
