CONSTANT PROGRESS Sofa and recliner manufacturer Hukla Möbel GmbH has come through the financial crisis of the past few years and continues to introduce new lines. Industry Europe looks at the reasons behind its success.
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its production sites in Germany and Poland, business is brisk for sofa and recliner manufacturer Hukla Möbel GmbH. Export manager Mark Litterst said that the company has survived the global economic crisis so far and has expanded both its product range and its staff. “Our first reaction to the recession was a decision to focus all our activities on markets we have been successful in already,” he explained. “This proved to be a wise decision. The recession has had practically no influence on our business.”
A long tradition Founded in the Black Forest area of Germany in 1936, by Hugo Klausner, Hukla started making wooden cases. After World War II, however, it began catering to the furniture shortage of the time by making mattresses. The company later added furniture to its
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product portfolio and today approximately 60 per cent of its production is sofas, while 40 per cent is recliners. Originally known as Hukla Werke GmbH, the company’s name was changed to Hukla Möbel GmbH in 2004 after it was sold to a large South Africa based furniture group. Today Hukla is part of the group’s European division. The company manufactures its products from three different production sites. At Gengenbach, in Germany, sofas and recliner chairs are made, while at Torgelow, also in Germany, recliners are produced. At Wolow, in Poland, production focuses on sofas.
A unique product The reputation of Hukla’s products is built on its high-quality furniture and reasonable prices. The company also holds a significant number of patents that help it retain and grow its market share. These cover ele-
ments of functionality, such as the reclining mechanisms of the chairs, realigning and other relaxation actions, seat angle changes and seat depth changes. All of these can be combined to produce a unique product. The company has also developed its own in-house foam into which it can directly mould the springs. This enables it to offer a ten-year warranty on the seat comfort. Another patent covers construction processes, enabling it make lightweight but extremely durable frames.
Motion furniture New product design and development is on going. Over the past few years the company has expanded its design studio, increasing its in-house body of designers. Its most recent ranges of recliners have been extremely successful. It also offers a new generation of sofas with special recliner actions.
