German Companies You Should Know

Germany takes its design very seriously indeed. As early as 1919, when the Bauhaus was first established, Germany was exploring new ideas, pushing boundaries and shaping the evolution of design.

Founded by Walter Gropius, the world-famous Bauhaus was in existence until 1933 and became one of the most influential currents in modernist architecture and design. It profoundly impacted subsequent developments in all areas of design, most notably furniture – if you need proof, look to the Cantilever chair by Mart Stam or even the Wassily chair by Marcel Breuer.

Recognition of the importance of good design, and its impact on both culture and commerce, continues to pervade the German consciousness. The German Design Council, for example, is a non-profit foundation with, at present, over 140 members from business, design, associations and institutions.

All attach great importance to design as a tool for the creation of both social and economic values. The establishment of the International Design Center (IDZ) in Berlin, the “designcenter” in Stuttgart, and the Essen-based Design Zentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, further demonstrates Germany’s commitment to the design cause.

Since the 1980s, a range of fundamentally different design approaches have characterised the German design aesthetic, making for a varied and interesting product offering. Here, we have invited a handful of German companies to introduce themselves, asking them to highlight their brand promise and unique selling points (USPs).

Teka Küchentechnik

Company background: Teka Küchentechnik is a German brand that offers a fully-integrated range of high-quality built-in kitchen appliances (ovens, hobs, hoods, microwaves, refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers), kitchen sinks and mixers. It has 38 subsidiaries worldwide and 26 factories, mainly in Germany and Spain.

Locations: An extensive sales network takes the Teka brand to every corner of the planet, supplying more than 125 countries in five continents. UAE customers and dealers are serviced from its office in Al Garhoud, Dubai, and for the rest of the GCC countries, from its office in Jebel Ali.

Who to talk to: Kim Felsmann, marketing manager, on +971 (0)4 2833047.

USPs: We cover all different product ranges, category- and price-wise, from the most innovative, modern and sophisticated products to models with basic features. Teka is amongst the leading sink and built-in kitchen appliance brands worldwide. We are the manufacturer, therefore we provide logistical and commercial support without any agent or intermediary, through our regional offices and network of official dealers. All of our products are manufactured under the highest European quality standards. We have our own team of qualified and fully trained engineers and technicians.

Best seller: Our best selling products are from the ‘Cooking line’. Amongst them, ovens: HA 900, HA 830; hoods: NC 90 glass, DBE 60 or 90; and hobs: VR 90 4G AI AL, HX 90 5G AI AL.

News: Our new 2009-2010 product catalogue will be available, with new product selections, at the end of summer. We are introducing the new Expression range of products, developed to create an experience that will stand the test of time.

With the new Model TRX 645, you will have all the power under your fingertips to control the heat of your hob with a Slider Touch Control function.

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Company background: Hansgrohe was founded in Schiltach, Germany in 1901 by Mr. Hans Grohe. The company develops, manufactures and sells products related to sanitation technology, under four brand names. The Hansgrohe brand develops products ranging from showers to fittings for the bathroom and kitchen; Axor produces ‘designer’ collections for the ‘exclusive’ bathroom; Pharo offers top-of-the range shower and wellbeing systems; and Pontos is concerned with the sustainable use of water.

Locations: The Hansgrohe headquarters are still in Schiltach, while the Middle East and Africa region is serviced out of offices in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Who to talk to: Lina Varytimidou, marketing manager, Middle East and Africa.

USPs: To this day, Hansgrohe is a truly family business. Klaus Grohe, the youngest son of the company founder, has been head of the Supervisory Board since May 2008, after running the company for 33 years. The family tradition lives on with three of his sons: Richard, Philippe and Pierre Nicholas Grohe.

The company has been behind cutting-edge innovations ranging from the first automatic drainage and overflow equipment (1934) and the shower bar (1953), right up to grey water recycling systems (2001), Raindance AirPower Technology (2004) and water-saving EcoSmart showers (2007).

Best seller: Raindance Showers

News: Hansgrohe products can be found in the Reichstag, Germany’s parliament building; in the Queen Mary II; in the Burj Dubai; and in the Turning Torso, Europe’s tallest residential building.

The company continues to work with internationally-renowned design greats such as Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, Jean-Marie Massaud, Patricia Urquiola and Phoenix Design.