Last year was one of the most successful and innovative in the 65-year history of the seating furniture manufacturer in Rheda-Wiedenbrück. The international trade fair appearance in Cologne with two model premieres initiated a series of continuous corporate successes from January onwards. The Avalanche sofa range, which was presented at the same time as the new upholstered chair Alvo, a combination of plastic shell and upholstered body, developed into the best-placed COR model of the last twenty years. In view of the growing importance of the international contract business, the Milan Design Week in April was the first time in five years that the company presented itself not at the trade fair but with an inner-city showroom: In the stronghold of international premium and fashion brands, the COR Salon reached new target groups as a comparatively small but highly regarded visitor magnet.
Balance between innovation and model maintenance
COR retains a leading position in the retail landscape in German-speaking countries. Although the number of specialist retailers declined slightly, the company was able to slightly increase its sales in this market. Together with the contract business and exports, annual sales of around 41 million euros were generated, an increase of three percent. The steadily growing brand portfolio has added further bestsellers such as the Cordia Lounge easy chair or the Trio sofa to the long-seller Conseta, which still generates 30 percent of sales in the Living segment. The company is continuously working on the contemporary orientation and diversification of the high-quality overall collection. Avalanche will be shown in new variations as early as 2020, the design classic Conseta will receive a new reclining element and elegant armrests. "For healthy growth, we keep product premieres and programme maintenance in a good balance," says Leo Lübke, who has managed the family business successfully for twenty-five years.
Investment at the site
Around EUR 1 million was invested in 2019 in the renewal and expansion of production. The factory will be geared increasingly to order-related production with a batch size of 1. Since the spring, wood processing and joinery, where special and custom-made products are also produced, have been using new machines. In the summer, major investments were made in frame construction: for an automatic planing machine and a CNC machining centre. In the past, frames or frame parts were pre-produced and intermediate storage was required. Today, the complex woodworking processes for individual orders are carried in one place. This purpose is also served by a new packaging cutting machine in the shipping area. Fanfold corrugated cardboard is used to produce ready-made individual packaging, eliminating the need to purchase and store bulky cardboard boxes. In spring 2020, further investments will be made to commission a new high-bay warehouse with lean lifts. It will provide employees with every type of storing facility as required. Inventory management and reordering will be automated and thus significantly optimised.
Looking forward to international exhibitions in 2020
"After the fair is before the fair," say furniture insiders with regard to each new year in the sector, which after imm cologne in January will initially begin for COR with the placement of its new models in dealerships. In April, it's off to Milan, where the temporary COR Salon will be refitted, including a model premiere. Just two months later, the manufacturer will travel to the interior design fair Design District in Rotterdam. The fourth international trade fair appearance will take place in autumn: At Orgatec in Cologne, the premium brand will present its seating and upholstered furniture and special programmes for the contract business.
Contact COR Sitzmöbel
Anna Thiessen, Corporate Communications
Nonenstraße 12, 33378 Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Germany
t +49.(0)52 42.41 02-235, a.thiessen@cor.de
