The 10 largest European Kitchen Companies
Many of you have asked me for a ‘top 10 list’ of European kitchen companies. Being that in my mind ‘Top 10′ is not just about company size and/or sales volume (especially in today’s economy…) I’m still working on that list for you and sooner or later it will be posted.
In the mean time, with the help of a good friend (thank you, A.S.), I was able to come up with the list of the largest companies in the European kitchen brands for you.
The difficult part about coming up with such a list is how do you measure size, or I should say – by what parameters. I see, some European companies are actually part of a Group – they own several kitchen brands/factories, not necessarily all in the same country (!). Some manufacture kitchens but also sell retail, through a chain of factory owned stored. They may produce less kitchens, then another company, but if you add their retail sales, to their wholesale figures and then add appliances (manufactured by appliance companies, counters and even labor, the comparison is simply not easy.
So with the above in mind, the only way to create the list (without going nuts) is really just by total sales figures (Europeans like to use the term – ‘Turnover’). So here is the list:
1. Nobia Group (Sweden) – There are many companies in this group, like Poggenpohl and Pronorm (Germany), HTH (Denmark), Marbodal (Sweden), Sigdal (Norway), EWE (Austria), plus, they also have a retail-network in the group – Magnet (UK).
2. Nobilia (Germany) – one company.
3. Alno Group – Alno, Wellmann, Pino and Impuls (Germany).
4. Cuisine Schmidt (France) – including a retail-network.
5. Häcker (Germany) – one company.
6. Nolte (Germany) – one company.
7. Mobalpa (France) – including a retail-network.
8. Schüller (Germany) – one company.
9. Bauformat Group - Bauformat and Burger (Germany).
10. Snaidero Group - Snaidero (Italy), Rational (Germany and including retail-networks like Ixina and Cuisine-Plus.
Some intresting facts:
- The majority of the companies, in the above list, are from Germany and the Scandinavian countries. In that part of Europe, the groups (or concerns) are very typical and have been around since before Columbus discovered America… (no joke!).
- The only Italian company is in the tenth spot – unlike the northern Europeans, in the southern part of Europe, the opposite is more common – smaller companies, privately owned and operated. Even inside Italy, the more south you go, the smaller and more family owned and operated the companies are. With that said, there are a lot more Italian kitchen companies operating and selling kitchens, then there are German and Scandinavian combined…
- If we only consider single factory sales, without retail sales and/or other companies in the Group, the largest one is Nobilia, from Germany, then Häcker, Nolte and Schüller, from Germany.
- This list is not guaranteed, as many companies do not publish their sales figures but is fairly close to reality. Also, the list can change in one day, if one of the groups decides to sell off a factory or two, or in return, to acquire a couple of brands.
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Nobilia kitchens can be found in the UK at Kutchenhaus.
BEST EU KITCHENS!!
Just a suggestion to add to your list the company below; SHEER VALUE FOR MONEY
My name is Athina Markantoni and as I said on the phone I work for one of the biggest Italian furniture factories COLOMBINI Group (200,000 m2 of production) (http://www.colombinigroup.com/ ).
COLOMBINI Group with more than 5,000 sales points worldwide offers top quality, Italian design products at the best possible price. The quality, variety (6 different lines, including bedrooms, children’s rooms, dining rooms, sofas, fitted kitchens and wardrobes) design and price of COLOMBINI makes it an unprecedented partner, leading to success.
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Athina – thanks for your suggestion. Being that I’m trying to stick to facts and to be as a accurate and as informative as possible, I must reply to your comment – the list is of the 10 largest kitchen producers in Europe – Colombini (Artec) is not one of them and is really more of a large furniture company, that happens to also produce kitchens. In addition, I will not refer to Colombini as a “top quality” product – it is a company driven by price point and the quality is not exactly one of its strengths…
Dear,
I really appreciated the job you done in this site which you have consolidated the all the kitchen companies data who are really a incrediable productivity in terms of kitchens espacially Europeans, THANKS.
i have went through few of these companies web and their product pictures really i liked it.
Basically i am from Middleast -Saudi Arabia, one of furniture manufacturer of classic sofas, and since i have been through this modern new kitchen concept and got very much interested seriously to start to make it in our factory. but i have went through many webs i didn’t find the any training material or videos to learn how to make modern kitchen like eropean style. could any one help me in this regard please. and will be really appreciate.
my add naqheel@yahoo.com
thank you & best regards to all of you.
naqheel
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Dear Naqheel,
Thanks for the compliments.
Regarding the ‘training material or videos to learn how to make modern kitchen like European style’ – unless you are looking for information, to start building cabinets as a hobby, I must say that this is an unusual question – manufacturing cabinetry, at the level and quality of these companies is not a hobby but rather a very serious business. Some of these brands have a very long tradition and history, dating back 50 and as much as 100 years! Their suppliers of parts (doors, hardware, etc.) are also established companies and they too have many years of experience.
There are ‘do it yourself’ types of instructional web sites out there, such as Wood Shop Demos and ‘do it yourself’ books (see Amazon‘s selection) but I truly doubt that this will allow you to build European cabinetry like these brands.
I hope this was helpfull.
All the best.
kitchenguy
My name is Dorothy from Nigeria, Africa. Thank you for the information.
I just started doing fitted kitchen business in my home country and my clientelle is growing.
However, I know I still have a lot to learn in this business and Im looking for a place where
I can take some short courses and get some formal training in the fitted kitchen business.
Your suggestions will be highly appreciated.
Thanks again.
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Hi Dorothy,
You’re very welcome.
In several countries, in Europe, they offer actual design schools – some in Germany, Italy and I’m sure that other countries offer them too.
Good luck!
kitchenguy
Working in South Africa in The 2 biggest kitchen companies, Require a job to expand myself.
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Hi Quinton,
Not sure that I understand your question/Comment – are you looking for a new job? Where?
kitchenguy
Nobila kitchens supplied throughout Kent and the South East of England by Kitchen Solutions Kent
This article was a great read, very interesting to learn about the different companies involved within the fast growing kitchen industry.A job well done.
is nobilia or schmidt the best seller in europe? and has anyone got facts to support it?
thanks for helping
michelle
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Michelle,
See the post about the 10 largest (best seller) European brands – http://european-kitchen-design.com/contemporary-kitchens/the-10-largest-european-kitchen-companies – the facts to support it are their published sales figures.
kitchenguy
You forgot about SieMatic from Germany! The best European kitchen furniture and the more expensive one!
And by the way Nobilia is German too. See the history of the company!
Ada
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Dear Ada,
This post is about the 10 Largest Companies… if SieMatic is the best (or even one of the Best 10) is debateable, but they are not one of the largest 10 companies in Europe for sure!
Not sue about the Nobilia comment… – ?
Thanks,
kitchenguy
Hello,i tend buying a fittest kitchen for my house in Nigeria,saw someone who is a Nigerian doing the business in Nigeria.How can i contact this person pls.gbenga.-
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Hi Gbenga,
Not sure what you’re asking for, but I’ll try giving you some info, directly.
Thanks,
kitchenguy
for Nobilia kitchens , do you have dealers in Saudi Arabia who i can work with them to order my Kitchen ?
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Dear Mohamed,
I’ll need to contact Nobilia direct, as they do not list their dealers and I’m not aware of their dealers in every country – http://www.nobilia.de
Good luck!
kitchenguy
Can you compare the standard design and quality of nobilia, hacker and leicht??
Hello, i tend to buy fitted kitchen for my new house in asia, and i am considering Leicht, Hacker and nobilia, can you give a general comparison in terms of quality, price and design for above mentioned 3 brands??
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Hi Ken,
in my humble opinion, in terms of quality – Hacker is on top, Leicht is secoond and Nobilia is third. I’m not sure of the pricing structure in your country and so value will be hard for me to rank.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
thanks for your opinion, i have another concern that Hacker’s price is cheaper compare to Leicht, is that tne same internationally?? with your comments, does that mean Hacker has better quality/price ratio???
Hi,
I am in the process of choosing kitchens for my house and am interested in your opinion and information on nobilia vs. snaidero. Which one would you recommend in terms of quality? Are they manufactured where the companies say they are (i.e. Nobilia in Germany and Snaidero in Italy)?
Hi Ania,
Hands down – Snaidero. Not that Nobilia is a bad company, but it is a ‘price driven’ product and Snaidero is a much better kitchen.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Thanks very much! As for the second questions, is Snaidero manufactured in Italy?
Absolutely!
Hi
I’m starting a kitchen business and in negotiation with leicht kitchens, what’s your opinion regarding leicht vs other German company like poggenpohl or bulthaip.
I’m looking for other Italian brands like ernestomeda or doimo cucine, what’s your opinion on those 2 lines. Any other Italian lines suggestions.
Edwin – I’m not sure where in the world you are, but if you have a choice of these 3 German brands, the answer is simple – wouldn’t you like selling the bigger brands, the ones the actually deliver traffic to your showroom door…? Bulthaup is better quality than both others and a better and much more exclusive brand than Leicht. Poggenpohl is a little less quality than Bultahup and much bigger brand than Leicht – you do the math…
Regrading the Italian brands – Ernestomeda, is Scavolini’s higher end line – nice product, but lacks identity, unique-factor and in most of the world lacks branding. Doimo is a fairly new kitchen company and is a part of a much larger furniture group – usually not an advantage.
If I knew where you are opening your showroom, I can make some recommendations.
Good luck!
kitchenguy
Hey Kitchenguy,
I liked the article and just had a question for you…how does Cucine Lube compare to the companies that are listed and also what is your opinion of the Lube quality compared to some of the others like Snaidero? I appreciate your comments!
Hi Dave,
Cucine Lube is not in the same league – it is a ‘price driven’ product, when the focus is on low price and so the quality, design and innovation are lower as well.
Watch for my next post, to be posted soon, about this subject.
Thanks,
kitchenguy
Hi Kitchenguy
whitch brand is best in the world about quality?
Dear Amir,
There really is not one brand that is “the best in the world” – if you look at my Top 20 list – these are the best brands in the world.
kitchenguy
Hi kitchenguy,
Who are the top designers of kitchen cabinets in the world?
Dear Amir,
Your questions are getting harder and harder…
This is like asking “who is the best painter in the world?”, or “who is the best chef in the world?”, etc. When it comes to personal taste, it is very individual and unlike sports, there’s no world rankings in these fields.
Notwithstanding; I can tell you who is the best European Kitchen Design blogger in the world…
kitchenguy
Hi,
I also agree kitchenguy.
Hi,
Nobody talks about the kitchen prices … Is it normal to spend 20.000, 30.000 EUR and even more for a bunch of boards ??
Izidor – do you feel the same way about spending 20.000, 30.000 EUR on a car? After all it is just some metal and plastic…
These “boards” are (in the case of the top brands) high quality, marine grade , post consumption panels, that together with high-end hardware, are all designed, assembled and finished to perfection, to create a ‘masterpiece work of art’ called high-end European kitchen. kitchenguy
Well, I don’t spent money on “super” cars either (it’s also a waste of money), but comparing high-tech electronics and machinery in the car with bunch of boards, is really something totally different. Everybody can process boards, and they are really not gold, in order to cost such amount of money. It’s just crazy.
I see the philosophy of the manufactures. There are two ways: one way is let’s produce bad quality pieces for lower price. The second one is: let’s produce a little bit better pieces but based on ‘art’ or let’s say ‘masterpiece work of art’ in order to sell this for 3x or 4x the real price of the bunch of boards. But what is really needed is better quality pieces (boards) without so-called masterpiece work of art. I don’t cook or eat on ‘work of art’. I usually look it. Obviously the furniture industry designers wants to earn lots of money on people who want to cook and eat. Besides, also high-tec cars have nice design and style, but they don’t cost 3x or 4x times more, unless they are made of pure gold.
Hey Kitchenguy,
I am currently planning to buy handless kitchen in white matt lacquer. I hesitate between Bauformat and Hacker kitchen.
Which one would you recommend to me?
I will be grateful for your help,
Hi Jad
If the price is similar – go with Häcker.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Thank you very much for the advice
you haven’t mentioned COMMODORE KITCHENS who are a significant manufacturer for the contract market – any reason?
Hi John,
The reason I have not listed them in my directory is that my criteria for listed brands is that they must have dealers, selling their products in and outside of the country they are based in. otherwise, the list will be endless, as I would need to list every shop that makes cabinets. Commodore only sells directly to the contract market and has no dealers.
Thanks,
kitchenguy
I was looking to purchase a Rational Kitchen but have not been too impressed by the quality of their doors. I am now considering Alno or Bauformat as an alternative, which do you consider to be the best quality of these three companies?
Bauformat.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Can you offer more information on each of these companies please?
Linda,
This is a tall order and I wasn’t planning on doing so – anything specific you’re looking for?
kitchenguy
Are these companies top, medium or low range german manufacturers of quality kitchens?
Linda – these are the 10 largest European kitchen companies – they made this list because of their turnover (sales volume). They are not all German, a few are actually a group (several brands) and some are higher quality then others.
kitchenguy
I have had a Keller kitchen for the past 18 years, which now looks dated, are these companies of the same quality?
Hi,
Not sure which Keller you are referring to – please elaborate.
Thanks,
kitchenguy
Keller Kitchens of Roosendaal Holland
Linda – I’m not familiar enough with this product. to convey an opinion regarding its quality, but it looks like a medium price kitchen.
Thanks,
kitchenguy
Hey Kitchen Guy
I am interested in manufacturing kitchens in Canada. Is there a school in europe on can go to learn how to produce kitchen cabinets?
Thanks, Tiziano
Hi Kitchenguy,
we’re currently trying to decide between an RWK Kitchen & a Hacker kitchen.WeI would value your comments,
Thks,
D
Haecker, no doubt.
kitchenguy
We are a leading manufacturer of Carcass Plinth Support Legs and other plastic furniture components.
As we are supplying some of the major Kitchen manufacturing companies could we be added into your ‘European Hardware Companies’ section ?
Hi Anthony,
Do you have a ‘live’ web site, where one can see your products…?
Thanks,
kitchenguy
Hi Kitchenguy,
I would be interested to know how would you rate the quality of Pronorm in relation to Hacker & Bauformat?
Villneuve – much lower than Häcker and more or less at the Bau-for-mat.
Good luck!
kitchenguy
we have been looking for kitchen for our own refurbished house.have seen qite a few kitchens and narrowed down to Leicht v bauformat similar price but now have been advised Beckerman is jast as good quality but slightly cheaper. Will we be compromising on quality?
Also the above is all white lacquered is acrylic much inferior quality as we have seen German ones aswell but pricey
Many Thanks Bud
Bud – if Beckerman is slightly less expensive – go for it!
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Thanks for replying
but is there any product difference in quality between the three
many thanks
bud
Bud – Leicht and Bekerman are both a bit better than Bauformat.
kitchenguy