A product development team is a group of people who oversee the process of a new product design. Each member of the team collaborates with the others to create and implement a strategy. They also work independently to contribute to the overall goal, which is to take the product to market.
The journey of successful products usually begins with well-structured product development teams, such as the PD department at Kebe.
Although product development is creative, the discipline requires a systematic approach to guide the processes that are required to get a new product to market. This is not always straight forward and sometimes requires really good team work to solve the various problem encountered along the way.
”We sometimes have to solve problems on the spot, which means the entire team has to communicate very effectively and relatively quickly,” said Patrycja, Product Development Specialist.
For instance, cutting and welding a frame to make the angles fit right, requires both good planning and manual skills, which means the welder and the product designer have to be on the same page. At this stage the model is “hand-built,” so it requires true craftsmanship to meet both design and function.
This is especially true when it comes to prototyping, which involves creating a rapid prototype for a product concept that has been determined to have business relevance and value. Prototyping in this front-end context means a “quick-and-dirty” model is created, rather than the refined product model that will be tested and marketed later on.
Michal leads the Kebe’s PD team. As the manager, he oversees all areas of the product life cycle and works to bridge communication gaps between various internal and external teams.
Among other things, his team ensures that a new product has been determined to make business sense and have business value. It’s challenging work, which he says they all handle with a good dose of humor and, at times, some effort on everyone’s part to understand each other well.
Kebe is buzzing about a new product line: a modular sofa program, which provides a great number of combination possibilities. You can see the beautiful Lucca Sofas on our new web site, but what about the road that leads to the finished product? If you are curious about the faces behind the production of Kebe sofas, then read on!
“It’s exciting to be working on the new product line,” says Filip, “”We constantly find better ways of doing things.” Filip, who works as a Product Development Specialist, takes care of designing all the different elements necessary for sofa production.
He works alongside Adrian, who manages the production of sofas at Kebe. Adrian explained that their goal is to create sofas that are not just beautiful and functional but also make for the perfect lounging space for Kebe clients. To that end, as a department, they are always looking for more efficient and better ways of manufacturing Kebe sofas.
”In manufacturing sofas the materials you use make a difference. We use ply wood and solid wood frame,” said Adrian, ”only high quality materials, so the sofas are strong, very durable.”
Filip at workAdrian at work
About the Lucca Modular Sofa system
Kebe’s new Sofa Lucca was designed by the Danish studio Nørgaard Design, and has a module program which provides a great number of combination possibilities -both for luxury-large-living, and sophisticated small-living arrangements.
The modules can be used to configure sofas, from a small two seater sofa to a very large design with corners, open ends and chaise lounges modules. Lucca offers two different seat depths of 580 mm and 700 mm.
The cushions are available in soft and super-soft, and by using our different leg heights you can further customize your seating preference and create the expression you desire. Add to that our wide scale of surface possibilities and legs options and the endless choices you have to make are made easy for you.
The module system allows lots of flexibility for more comfortable postures and “edgy” design combinations.
From double modules, which fit smaller places perfectly, to very large module combinations for spacious interiors, it makes it possible to design a sofa perfect for your living room.
A wide selection of legs and armrests, and many fabrics and leather options are available.
SOFA CONFIGURATIONS
With the Sofa Lucca Modular System, the days where you had to settle for the same as everyone else are over. The simplicity of our Scandinavian designs allow you to easily match our furniture to your home interior.
Exceptional style and high quality materials used with minute attention to detail result in a perfect sofa ready to be filled with your own memories and dreams. If you aren’t sure what will work best for your home and need advice, we are also always ready to help and offer recommendations.
Configure your ideal sofa. Match fabrics to your interior. Endless possibilities to shape your dream home. Reimagine your living room.
If you are thinking of decorating your home, you probably already came across the term Scandinavian design but what exactly does it mean?
Characterized by functionality, simplicity and the idea that things should last rather than be replaced, Scandinavian design emerged during the 1930s within the five Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. It is now a popular style evident in many areas of life such as home design, interior design, and furniture design.
History of Scandinavian Design
The name itself comes from a design show which traveled the USA and Canada between 1954-1957, presenting products from Scandinavia. It was at that time that clean lines and simple designs and a strong relationship between design elements and nature began to distinguish Nordic interiors from other styles.
The main purpose of the new design movement was to improve daily life and the style itself followed the philosophy of “less is more.” It promoted beautiful, quality sustainable products especially furniture, lighting, textiles and everyday items like dishes and cooking utensils. All these products were meant to be accessible to people from all walks of life. Victorian furniture slowly went out of style and the new trend was the minimalist yet cozy Scandinavian design.
The beginning of the 20th century also marked some people’s distaste with the Industrial Revolution and all products which were manufactured by machines. Following WWII people questioned where human morality was heading and there was real interest in organic design as a way of re-connecting with a more natural order of things. Scandinavian style answered this need with its principle of “beautiful things that make your life better.”
Scandinavian design entered the scene at a time when social art groups became more prominent and marked a turn in social trends toward love of everyday life and appreciation of the elegance of simplicity. It gently reminded the user that the creator of the beautiful thing is human and not a machine. Handmade craft made a huge comeback and people started to appreciate its distinctiveness.
The subtle decorative elements, enjoying the domestic environment and celebrating human craftsmanship appealed to people who were growing tired of the uniformity of other products. Some Scandinavian designers who made history include Alvar Aalto in architecture; Poul Henningsen in lamp design and Arne Jacobsen in furniture design. Alvar Aalto’s ribbon windows and the use of smooth, white surfaces helped to define Scandinavian home design.
Scandistyle in Your Home
Recently, the rising concern with climate change caused the same shift toward nature-inspired designs as new ideas about democracy and freedom of the 1950’s. The principles of Scandinavian home design are eco-friendly and promote using organic materials for flooring, siding, roofing, as well as decorating the interior.
Scandistyle, as it is now often called, includes beautiful and functional furniture, such as comfortable recliners and dining chairs.
The Swedish word “Lagom” meaning “just the right amount” is a very accurate description of using this style of interior design. Start with clean, neutral colors for your walls, and consider the space you have available when picking your furniture. A well placed comfy Lounge Chair or quality Recliner can do a lot to accent your living room and a throw or fur blanket can complete the look.
The Fox Recliner from Kebe is the perfect chair to start creating that Scandinavian style in your home. KEBE is a Danish producer of beautiful and practical furniture whose designs are very Scandistyle. The Fox Recliner, designed by Jacob Würtzen, is all about functionality with its swivel base and smooth push-back reclining mechanism.
This chair’s hand crafted linear curves provide an airy atmosphere you can easily relax in. Placing the Fox near the fireplace or window in your living room can create the perfect lounging space. Best of all, true to the principle of this design, these chairs are not only beautiful but very durable as well.
Another how to in Scandistyle is using simple shapes and materials such bronze or metals for decorative accents like mirror frames or picture frames. Generally, Scandinavian design is minimalist so a good rule to follow is that it is better to under-decorate than to over-decorate. One wall accent placed in the right spot can be a lot more effective than many of them.
Organic design has a lot to do with shape which can be very evident in both lamps and chairs inspired by nature and the northern climate. For instance, Kebe Pearl dining chair takes its inspiration from the shape of a shell. With its soft design the Pearl can transform your dining room into the perfect setting for your next party and its simple elegance complements any table.
Similarly, the Petal lounge chair is inspired in shape by flower petals and makes for a very round, soft and welcoming place to sit. Its simple and symmetrical contour adds a breath of fresh air to any living room or study. These chairs are wear-resistant and retain their shape for many years.
The use of the right lighting can complement the Scandi theme. Poul Henningsen’s lamp designs spread the light as much as possible by using organic shapes to diffuse it in a very thoughtful way.
Simple, Beautiful and Functional
Scandinavian design is very popular today and used in anything from electronics to textiles. At its heart, and especially in interior design, it stands for a space free from clutter but comfortable. Because Northern climate can be harsh and winters do not allow for a lot of light, using both space and lighting thoughtfully is the hallmark of this style. Nordic people have a close relationship with nature and love the outdoors which is why botanical designs are their signature.
Scandinavian design can be about just a few pieces of furniture placed in a way that uses space efficiently. You will love the comfort and simplicity of this style for the rest of your life. Contact us for more information.
When we think of comfort we may imagine fluffy pillows or a soft like a cloud blanket. Indeed, fluffy pillows are great to rest your head on but what about what you sit on? The best cushion for your behind is one that is neither too soft nor too firm but somewhere in between.
For the past 40 years at KEBE, we have been creating comfortable recliners and chairs that offer just the right amount of firmness. Thanks to our talented designers they look stylish as well as feel fabulous. Our secret is our dynamic foam and contemporary design.
What is dynamic foam?
We use a material called cold-cure foam, which retains its shape and flexibility year after year. This very durable material was at first only used in vehicle and transport seating. During the 1960’s it came to be considered the superior quality seating material in the furniture industry.
The foam contains really small air pockets, like tiny bubbles within its denser structure, which allows for just the right amount of firmness. That is what provides lasting comfort for you, from the first day you get your chair and for many years to come. After we shape the foam, we work on the covering which is hand-sewn and fits it perfectly. The result? Chairs and sofas that look elegant from all angles and will not sag.
Scandinavian Design
We create furniture for everyday use, so wear-resistance is as important as style. Our contemporary Scandinavian designs are born in Denmark and are trendy and functional. We dare to play with classic and contemporary styles, and even mix them all together in innovative ways.
Once you decide which chair you want, you can customize it. You can select the material for your chair covering, and whether it’s leather or fabric we have many colors to choose from. There are numerous possibilities and you can match your chair to your home décor exactly, according to your own style.
Conclusion
Great design of furniture does not end in the shape and look but needs to consider the depth of functionality. For us at KEBE your comfort is as essential as the latest trends in interior design. With this in mind we have become experts in using dynamic foam in Scandinavian upholstery furniture designs.
We know that your chair will not be showcased behind glass but used every day. Our creative craftsmanship and 40 years of experience in the industry means our products are made for life. They’re made for You.
The High Point Market, held in High Point, North Carolina, is the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world, with roughly 2000 exhibitors throughout about 180 buildings.
The market holds two major shows each year, one in April and another in October, running one week in the Fall, and two weeks in the Spring.
Truly Nordic in design the Palma combines comfort, function and style brilliantly with a unique glide path. Part of Kebe’s Dynamic Lifestyle collection, this chair adjusts to your movements. As you recline you get a natural feeling of sinking into the chair as it tilts in sync with the back. Your body is perfectly balanced in harmony with your chair.
High Point Market visitors will also be able to see Kebe’s Yani, Roma and Bordeaux recliners, as well as over 30 other pieces at Leif Petersen Inc. 220 Elm – 328, Level 3. Leif Petersen Inc. offers a quick ship program for many of their products, so make sure to inquire about the details regarding the chair that catches your eye.
Bordeaux chairRoma chairYani chair
The High Point Market Authority coordinates the exposition, whose showrooms have nearly completely filled what had been the historic downtown. There are around 70,000-80,000 attendees from over 100 countries.
For registration assistance, the High Point Market Authority can be reached at (336) 869-1000 during normal business hours or by emailing registration@highpointmarket.org.
Thanks to innovative production methods and digital transformation Kebe A/S has been successfully expanding into new markets and will soon introduce exciting new products. We have just started product development of sofas at our brand new location, and will be ready to send out the first order early in the fall.
The 5200 m² facility, pictured from outside and inside above, will soon also host showrooms, after modernization and renovations are complete. These thrilling changes are taking place in an old style New-Yorker building in Czestochowa, Poland.
The sofas, already in production in the new building, are made with a solid hardwood frame and especially upholstered cushions. FSC-approved materials and modern design assures a high-end quality product which can be customized and meets the new Kebe brand promise: reimagine your home.
We are also getting ready to launch a new line of recliners with a unique comfort – the Kebe Dynamic Lifestyle collection. These chairs are an innovative approach to comfort with their special fluidity of tilt motion. Be sure to keep an eye out on social media for updates!
Within the last year, we have been growing our presence online, on channels like LinkedIn,Facebook and YouTube to keep in touch with existing and reach out to new customers. As part of the company’s digital transformation, it is helping to keep the Kebe brand relevant during the difficult times of the pandemic.
We are also leveraging the use of emerging technologies such as automation, augmented reality, cloud and multi-cloud computing and enhanced cybersecurity to sustain a continued growth business model. Last but not least, our digital transformation includes a customer relationship sweet: a complete re-design of our web site to include a B2B e-commerce web shop.
Our goal is to provide customers with tools to help them feel confident in making a purchase. You will be able to view chairs in all available colors and covers, build your own chair from base to headrest and order online. You will also be able to view different configurations of sofas available and create a small, medium or a very large sofa. The web shop is set for launch this fall.
“We want to offer a more customer-centered experience of showcasing our products and options” said Torben T. Petersen, Kebe Commercial Director.
Everyone at Kebe is looking forward to exciting times ahead with the company expansion, our new production halls and offices, and upcoming products. Through digital transformation we are taking steps to optimize operating costs as well as increase process efficiency. Most importantly, our goal with these efforts is to improve customer experience through digital solutions which are more convenient for you and allow you to better get to know us so you can reimagine your home.
KEBE is a Danish producer of upholstery furniture established in 1978. Our Scandinavian designs are created for stylish homes with a focus on durability and comfort. The main line of products are chairs, recliners and sofas. Kebe A/S is headquartered in Denmark, with locations in Poland and China. Good craftsmanship, flexibility to change with the times and innovation are the driving force behind our company’s success story.
Every good fairy tale story begins with the words once upon a time. While we love those stories, we all know that real stories are a bit different and not so simple, although not any less interesting. This is a story of how a company started, developed and endured changing circumstances of economic depression and war and how it adapted to become a successful business today.
In 1920 a man named Hjalmar Lystager begin a collaboration with an inventor named Erichsen. The two men’s plans were to produce hairpins in Aarhus under the name Dansk Traadvare Industri. However, the two men were very different in their approach to business and their collaboration soon ended.
Hjalmar Lystager decided to continue Dansk Traadvare Industri by himself on the premises of Hjelmensgade 4 in 1922. His production consisted of chains, hooks and coil springs for bed bases. He was determined but he also knew he wouldn’t get far by himself. In July that year he hired a man named Clemen Laursen who soon became a key figure in the development of the business.
Hjalmar Lystager and family
In 1924 only Hjalmar Lystager and Clemen Laursen were responsible for all production of mattress coil springs. However, that soon changed and by 1925, when the factory moved to Viby, the labor force was made up of six men. As the demand for furniture springs increased, the company’s production expanded and especially with the purchase of new machinery a successful business model emerged. What started as a production of two men was now becoming an established company specializing in the production of mattress springs.
The Factory Grows
In 1929, a completely new factory was built on the corner of Ormslevvej and not yet laid out Krabbesholms Alle. Hjalmar was progressive in his company development and bought the rights to patented new spring manufacture technologies to use them in his factory. His eldest son Anker was sent to Wuppertal in Germany to learn the new system. New machines were purchased and in 1930 the workforce amounted to approx. 20 people. The production of flat springs started in 1933.
The mid-thirties were a period of depression but despite this the sales of springs for mattresses was going well. The factory supplied springs to automobile factories such as Ford, Adler, Opel, Citroën and others, the state railways’ new light rail, as well as first-class carriages, and last but not least the brand new royal carriage. Records from that period indicate business was made with new ferries and a number of ships from Danish shipyards. Other customers of note included the new County Hospital in Aarhus and many furniture and mattress factories.
According to newspapers of that time the factory sustained some damage due to a strong storm on the evening of 23 January 1935. A back wall to the 1st floor extension and the roof collapsed. Fortunately, no one was hurt. A newspaper article about the incident indicates that there were fears that people may be trapped in the rubble of the collapsed part of the building and a rescue crew was deployed. The total damage ran up to approx. 10,000 kr., which in today’s value would amount to about 20,000 Euro. Restoration work was done quickly and production continued into the war years with a workforce of about 80 men.
The German Occupation
During World War II, the Germans considered the factory as a potential opportunity for the production of war material but Hjalmar and Anker Lystager would not hear of it. The rejection of a collaboration with the occupying power posed a great risk to the Lystager family.
Many famous Danes had been murdered by the Germans or by their Danish henchmen as a fear tactic and a warning to the rest of the population. That was how the Nazis took revenge on the Danish resistance fighters. Hjalmar went underground and Anker went to Sweden and joined the Danish Brigade. Anker’s wife Gudrun and sons Jørge and Henning stayed in a safe place.
The danger was very real as was proven on the night of October 1, 1944. Exactly at. 01:03 am the factory was blown up by the German terrorist group Petersgruppen. After the explosion, there was nothing that remained of the factory but rubble and part of a wall with the iconic metal spring on top.
Left: photo taken by former Kebe A/S director Henning Lystager of his childhood friend Finn Zachariassen, on top of the new factory in 1948 Right: the old factory building after the explosion on October 1, 1944
The damage was calculated at DKK 494,219 (today’s equivalent of nearly a million Euro) but the company gradually managed to resume production just a few months after this disaster.
Expansion After the War
After the war ended, on May 5, 1945, the Lystager family returned back to Viby. The construction of the new factory now really took off. By Christmas time 1947 the new offices were ready. On April 19, 1948 the opening of the factory was celebrated with festivities at the canteen and the sound of spinning machines was again a part of the workers’ everyday life. By then Anker Lystager was directing all operation at the factory.
In the following years, the factory expanded tremendously. New productions were taken up and new factory halls were built. In 1960 the factory staff had increased to 40 workers and 4 salaried employees. In the 1960’s there was an incredible amount of development in the Danish furniture industry. Newly invented materials and new upholstery methods were changing the market. To secure the company’s future Anker Lystager explored the manufacture of foam rubber since this new was gradually replacing metal mattress springs. Soon Hj. Lystager A / S became strongly involved in the foam industry.
All these changes resulted in building of a new factory in Hornslet, and the location in Viby was abandoned. In 1958, Anker Lystager’s eldest son Jørgen Lystager, a civil engineer with a degree from Technical University of Denmark in Copenhagen, joined the company. He directed all business operations after his father Anker died in 1965. He was the third generation in a direct line of Lystagers who managed the business.
In autumn of 1967, the new factory halls in Hornslet were ready for use, with part of the work now automated. Automatic and semi-automatic machines now did the heavy lifting, enabling more production and more profit. The old factory location in Ormslevvej was slowly becoming obsolete, although it continued to produce mattress inserts through the nineteen seventies. The company operated at that location for a total of 64 years.
Inside the new factory
The Company Today
A conversion to a furniture production, located at the factory in Hornslet, was in full swing. The company was now producing high quality interior frames and swivel bases for different types of chairs from comfortable recliners to bar stools. To signify the change of manufactured products, the company also changed its name to Kebe Møbler A / S in 1978 under the direction of Henning Lystager. When he died in June 2002 the position of director was the taken over by his eldest son Henrik Lystager.
Today there are no more members of the Lystager family affiliated with Kebe A/S, but the memory of a family’s enduring spirit, as well as their contributions to the Danish business community and the furniture industry lives on. Kebe A/S is still headquartered in Denmark but has production locations in Europe and Asia as well. Currently the company’s managing director is Henrik Schougaard.
The business that had its humble beginnings as a two men operation is now a company recognized for its expert craftsmanship in the production of beautiful premium quality chairs and sofas.
Translated from article by Finn Zachariassen in Vibybogen 2013.
At Kebe, we are proud and humbled by the opportunity to help a local children’s cancer charity in Poland. In the spirit of Christmas, Kebe has made a substantial donation to Częstochowskie Hospicjum dla Dzieci in Częstochowa, Poland.
Czestochowskie Hospicjum dla Dzieci helps children undergoing cancer treatment, their families and also orphaned children. Their main mission is to improve the quality of life of the youngest cancer patients. They offer specialized in-house care, financial and psychological help for patients and their families as well as home visits and care.
Giving back to the local community is a priority for Kebe. The company’s Director, Jakob Willumsen said that while business is going well not everyone are as lucky, especially in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our employees take an active interest in the local community and we feel that especially now it is important to support those less fortunate among us,” he said.
On 1st December, Jakob Willumsen and Pawel Konieczny of Kebe, met with the President of the foundation, Małgorzata Socha and its Vice-president Dagmara Jarosik to learn more about it and find out what else they could do to help. The Hospice Board also wanted to thank the company and presented them with a Thank You plaque.
Because of the pandemic most of the events the hospice usually relies on to raise money, such as an annual charity ball or a conference are not taking place this year so they were very grateful for Kebe’s interest and donation.
Giving back to the community is part of Kebe’s corporate responsibility and an integral part of the company’s culture. We strongly believe in growing together and will to continue to support the fight against cancer. All Kebe employees support the company’s choice of the charity and share in the pride of being able to give back.
Kebe is a Danish producer of upholstery furniture since 1978. Our chairs and recliners are made with durability and comfort in mind. We opened our manufacturing location at Wały Dwernickiego 125/141 in Czestochowa in 2012.
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