Rock, paper, kitchen!
It is hard to keep re-inventing the wheel and kitchen cabinets are no different – after all, it is a box, with a couple of hinges and a door. You change it too much and it will simply not function…
The top European kitchen manufacturers are facing an ongoing dilemma – year after year, to come up with something new and exciting . The kitchen industry is really a fashion-driven business, and just like the clothing designers, kitchen manufacturers are doing whatever they can to be different and to pioneer a new look, one that will set them apart and get them noticed.
One of the ways these manufactures are trying to stay original, in the last couple of years, is to use unique materials – not just wood, laminate, glass and lacquer anymore but stone, concrete, leather and even paper are showing up on the scene and we are not talking about the counter tops…
a courageous plan to use a new material derived from recycled paper, eco-friendly
. The PaperStone ® is a material made from fibers derived from recycled paper and resins not derived from petroleum.
A kitchen from Key Sbabo – the material derived from recycled, eco-friendly paper… PaperStone ® is composed of recycled paper fiber and non-petroleum-based resins. Meticulous attention has-been paid to details – even the sink is made of PaperStone ®
Kitchen design made in Tuscan
Leather doors and drawer faces, leather drawer sides...
How about an entire kitchen, made from marble and leather…? Why not…? Toncelli Cucine.
Sturdy, but light enough - not just the counters, but the entire kitchen!
Steininger Kitchen in concrete
Steininger – an entire kitchen made of ultra-thin concrete – light, strong and safe.
Recession winds are blowing in the kitchen…
We already know that the kitchen industry is not recession proof. Though most companies have held up pretty well so far, we are starting to some some cracks in the road to recovery. Some are pretty wide and deep…
The companies who seem to be effected the most, by the world recession, are a few of the largest companies. Perhaps their sheer size, makes it so much harder to adjust to though times and make the unnecessary adjustments quickly.
If you look at the 10 largest European Companies, you can see the effect of the global economy – Nobia, the largest European kitchen group (at least in 2009), already sold off Pronorm in 2010 and is now reported to pull out their Poggenpohl brand from the up coming Eurocucina…
One other German industry giant – the Alno Group, is also reported to be in rough waters. The ever so needed capital, from new Swiss investor, Mr. Max Muller is hopefully going to help the company who has reportedly have gone through several changes in middle and upper management lately and allegedly is in the middle of a pending law suit by the previous CEO over compensation.
In Italy, the recent bankruptcy of the 50+ year old Salvarani and the rumors of many brands in financial difficulties have the industry in buzz…
It will be very interesting to see what the Milan Fair and the Eurocucina show will look like next April. Rumor has it that Cosmit, who is the organizer of the show, is working very hard on convincing companies to return to the show next year.
Just not granite…
What happened to the good old granite counter top? For many years, granite was the number one choice for kitchen counter tops, but in the last 10 years, less and less of it is being used, to the point that you hardly see any granite tops, especially in European kitchen designs.
The main problem is that granite is simply ‘played out’… People are just tired of it, after using it in kitchens for so many years and it’s not just in the kitchen – you see it everywhere – on the side of city buildings, on the bank’s floor, and even in public bathrooms…
The good news is that there are many great alternatives! The fastest growing segment of the counter top business is quartz – brands like CaesarStone, Silestone (Cosentino), Zodiaq (Dupont) and many others, from around the world are gaining in popularity for years now – they feel like stone but are stronger and maintenance free.
Quartz counter top by CaesarStone
Non-granite stones, like marble are being used more, especially with the introduction of new sealers that are making them a bit more practical.
Marble counter top - Minotti Cucine
Then there are glass counters, stainless steel, ceramic and unlike in the US, in Europe you still see some solid surface counters, such as Corian.
Glass Counter top - Pedini Cucine
Corian counter top - Pedini Cucine
SplinterWorks – Functional Sculpture
Formed in 2009, by Miles Hartwell and Matt Withington and located just south of London, SplinterWorks is one of the best examples of ‘applied arts‘ I’ve seen in recent years. They have delivered projects all over the world, in the USA, UAE, Southern Ireland, Cyprus, France, Italy and even one in Australia.
SplinterWorks have a particular affinity with developing work that re-thinks how we prepare, cook and experience food. They bring the activities of the kitchenout of the grid shaped room at the back of the house and into the living areas creating works to be enjoyed socially, physically and visually.
The majority of their works are unique commissions where every element, from the intended location and practical elements, to striking a personal resonance with the commissioner, can be considered and accomplished.
cunKitchen … take your kitchen to where you live
you don‘t need much to do something right… and even less to do it wrong. paulBocuse
cunKitchen … take your kitchen to where you live
take the kitchen to where you go
onto your terrace, to your garden, alongside your swimming pool, and – last but not least – in your kitchen … or use it …for elegant front cooking, the professional demonstration kitchen and exclusive event cooking.
cunKitchen … take your kitchen to where you live
the versatile combination possibilities make cunKitchen become a mobile kitchen not bound to a static room. … whether classic gas or innovative induction technique, there are teppanYaki griddle, hob, oven, fridge and sink … … available in european hornbeam, teak, white corian®, or full stainless steel
several finishes are available for the cunKitchen
cunKitchen … a modular system … for your inviduality
joko is a family run company of industrial – handcraft manufacture in the south tyrolean alps in Italy
the versatile combination possibilities make cunKitchen become a mobile kitchen not bound to a static room
the team of Josi and franz Kosta, who have been supplying butcher blocks, cutting boards and working tables to the professional market, under the Joko brand, have brought their passion for the kitchen, to the domestic market, several years ago.
my personal top 20 European kitchen brands
After many requests and lots of diliberations I’ve decided to post my own top 20 European brands. Top 20 European kitchen companies, because I simply felt that there are too many great European kitchen brands to limit the list to just top 10.
My Top 20 is based on the following criteria’s:
- DESIGN – overall product design, esthetics and selection depth (colors, materials, design elements, etc.).
- PRODUCT INNOVATION – is this a kitchen brand that takes risks, that is on the cutting edge of technology and innovates or just a company that copies others?
- PRODUCT QUALITY – how well made is the product? Does the company ‘cuts corners’?
- SERVICE – delivery on time, delivers complete orders, ‘after sale’ service, etc.
I have chosen not to take into consideration COMPANY SIZE, as there is no real direct benefit to the buyer and I’ve already listed the 10 largest European brands.
I also did not factor VALUE because I feel that value is very individual – what one consumer sees as a great value, another may view as cheap. Webster’s definition of Value is – “a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged”. Once a kitchen brand has top design, innovation, quality and service, the price will always be higher. Surprizingly, there are a few kitchen brands on this list that have a pretty good value, as well as ranking high on all the other categories.
In the Top 20 European Kitchen 11 Italian kitchen brands, 7 German kitchen companies, one English and one French are in the above list.
So, without further a due and in alphabetical order here are my Top 20 European kitchen Brands:
- Allmilmö
- Arclinea
- Binova
- Boffi
- Bulthaup
- Dada
- Eggersman
- Häcker
- Mobalpa
- Pedini
- Poggenpohl
- Schiffini
- SieMatic
- Smallbone
- Snaidero
- Strato
- Toncelli
- Valcucine
- Varenna
- Zeyko
The Best of the Best in European Kitchen Design
- European Kitchens at the Top
- The Top Twenty European Kitchen Companies
Honorable mentions: there were a few companies that did not make it to my Top 20 European Kitchen Brands, but deserve a mention. Also in the advise of one of the readers of this blog, i’ve decided to update this post and add a few more (they deserve it!). We’ll call this section the “hors catégorie” (thanks Pierangelo):
Clive Christian – ranked high on DESIGN and if marketing was a category, will most definitely be included in the Top 20 list.
Marchi – ranked very high on DESIGN and INNOVATION.
Minotti – one of the best in creating the very unique, minimalist and clean look, that goes beyond a kitchen design. Not for everyone and is available only in selected few locations worldwide but Minotti is at the top of the design category.
kbb London to take place in May 2011
UBM Live are pleased to announce the launch of kbb London which will take place from the 15th to 17th May 2011 at Excel. The runaway success of kbb Birmingham in March and with in-depth consultation with the marketplace has determined an unquestionable need and desire for a kitchen and bathroom show in the capital next year.
The show will target both the retail and contract audience and will showcase the latest products and services from the leading manufacturers in the kitchen, bathroom and tiling markets.
kbb Sales Director, Sam Cande commented, “kbb Birmingham was an excellent indicator that this market is regaining confidence after the last couple of difficult years. The launch of kbb London will give manufacturers the opportunity to display their products at a national event, with a key focus on the London and southern markets, offering a distinctive platform for the industry in its entirety.”
“A natural extension to the successful kbb Birmingham exhibition, kbb London will be targeting companies from across the market to ensure a diverse range of products for this exciting new exhibition. The initial response prior to the official launch is very encouraging and underlines the faith the industry has in our company to deliver a great exhibition.”
The kbb London Innovation Centre will award and showcase shortlisted entries recognising outstanding product innovation in terms of ingenuity, design and sustainability.
In conjunction with Designer Magazine our judges, including Seymourpowell and Studio Levien, have been looking for the most innovative products.
With 20 of the very latest innovations and new launches being displayed, The Innovation Centre at kbb London will ensure you’re up-to-date with what the market has to offer. The brands shortlisted include:
ABK InnoVent bv – i-Cooking gives the architect or designer freedom to create their own design with individual gas burners or induction zones.
freedom to create a design with individual gas burners or induction zones
Hoover – A futuristic-looking Cast Iron design with unique
patented burner technology, the new Ghisa gas hobs are
visually stunning.
Kitchen Aid - A professional chefs’ sous vide cooking system
designed for home use.
Franke UK Ltd – The innovative and technologically advanced
Centinox sink.
