Nienkamper

Source: Exec Digital Canada

Date :04/01/2008 14:25:49

Klaus Nienkämper, owner, president and founder of the world famous furniture company Nienkämper, talks about how his dream to create innovative furniture has become a reality

Written by Ian Armitage and produced by Michael Gutierrez

Nienkämper, a company born from entrepreneur Klaus Nienkämper’s drive and determination, never compromises, and it is this approach that has earned it high praise, a long list of awards and decades of success. “We are committed to being at the forefront of innovation; we never compromise and push the boundaries of technology,” he explains. “This is my vision; it has been very successful, and it continues to this day.”

Klaus believes a furniture company succeeds when it meets customer needs, while pursuing the highest standards in design and manufacturing. This philosophy forms the cornerstone of his organization.

Thanks to this approach, Nienkamper’s profile has continued to grow, both domestically and internationally. The company, which started life in 1968, is now recognized for producing some of the best corporate and residential furniture on the market.

Today, Nienkamper employs 200 people and sells to the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, where it is currently working on a large project in the UAE. The company is forward-thinking and never looks back. “When I came to Canada there was very little in terms of contemporary furniture; I recognized the need to target this niche and we have continued to develop ever since,” says Klaus, who first came to the country in 1960.

“Today, we consider ourselves to be a market leader, producing some of the best corporate and residential furniture available on the market – that is our forte and we count numerous Fortune 500 companies amongst our core clientele.” In fact, without Nienkämper, and Klaus’ vision, it is debatable that the boardrooms of today would look as they do now.

Coming to Canada

Born in Duisburg, Germany, in 1940, an ambitious Klaus arrived in Canada in 1960 with a language barrier to overcome and just $36 in his pocket. His first job was at a car wash on Toronto’s King Street. However, intent on making modern furniture, Klaus began working with respected designers and in 1968, with minimal capital, established a company that introduced classic European imports to the Canadian market. “I began importing, and later manufacturing under license, classic European-designed furniture,” says Klaus. “I’m happy with what I have created and look forward to the future.”

Nienkämper targets specific niches very successfully. Its factory, located in the heart of Toronto, has expanded dramatically as a result. It has become a 120,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility, producing furniture for shipment around the globe. This is a signal of how successful Nienkämper has become.

But what has made Nienkämper a great success? Klaus believes he has the answer. “We have classic and contemporary designs, follow the highest standards in manufacturing, and our products have a proven track record. They are durable, easy to maintain and flexible; they are truly unique and unlike anything else on the market.” In addition, as an organization, Nienkämper is focused, market-driven and will regularly meet with clients to discover what they need and how it can meet them.

Nienkämper has been built around an all-encompassing philosophy to create furniture which meets customer demands in a constantly evolving marketplace. The company’s record as a leading furniture manufacturer has seen it reach this goal, inspiring trust amongst customers and the industry. “We do what it takes to deliver the best product,” explains Klaus. “We exist to honor our commitments to customers, through original products and innovation.”

Demanding customers, flexible solutions

The market has changed considerably over the past few years, particularly as new players have entered the industry and as consumer trends continue to evolve. Technology, innovation and a focus on customer needs are now Nienkämper’s main drivers. “There is a lot more competition these days, which is good. We have heightened our focus on integrating technology, creating durable and flexible products, designed to meet customers’ ever changing needs. This focus has driven us into a new era.”

Innovation really is Nienkämper’s middle name. For instance, the pioneer has expanded its factory many times to produce new lines. Perhaps the most famous example came when it expanded operations to manufacture the groundbreaking Vox series of wired conference tables in 2002 – a move which is now much copied. “This is just another example of how we set the trend,” explains Klaus. “Today, Vox is firmly established as a leader in this area.”

Nienkämper’s goal at present is to effectively balance the presence of technology to achieve the desired aesthetics of the room. In some cases, this balance leans toward the technology being virtually invisible, whereas, in other instances, the technology must be seen. In either situation, the mission is to understand what the clients want to accomplish and to make it happen.

This approach has benefited Nienkämper and its clients hugely. It was a specific client request which provided the spark to create the Vox Collection; a collection that has caused a real stir, thanks to its handcrafted integrity and plug-and-play capabilities. What’s more, it is an ever-expanding line that serves as a catalyst between architects and designers and technology, making it easier for each segment to work in tandem. “We have always considered ourselves to be a systems integrator; we are part of the process and are not mere suppliers of tables,” says Klaus.

Solid furniture, superb reputation

Under his guidance, Nienkämper has grown into a company noted for the handcrafted quality of its products, manufacturing ‘one-of-a-kind’ furniture. Indeed, since its inception, Nienkamper furniture has consistently been in the forefront of modern furniture design in Canada and the company is well positioned to enjoy further success in the future.

“Good design has been essential for building our reputation,” explains an optimistic Klaus, who is looking forward to 2008. “We have won several prominent design awards this year alone – particularly for the Vox Collection and look to the future with increased confidence.”