PERFECT FIT
Andreas Hettich, the fourth generation in the family-owned kitchen furniture fittings company, Hettich, traces the latest trends
German hardware manufacturing company, Hettich has a 129-year-history. It started with a mechanised production of anchor escapements for cuckoo clocks in 1888 by Karl Hettich. Today, the chairman of the management board and global CEO of the Hettich group, Andreas Hettich, is bridging the gap between furniture, fixtures and technology. We caught up with him on his recent visit to India.
KEY TRENDS
In this industry parallel trends can be found, partly because of different tastes and partly because of different income brackets. “The first trend is to hide technology without compromising on functionality or beauty. For instance creating a handle-free drawer or a door where you need to simply tap on the front surface to open it,” says Hettich. At the same time there is a parallel trend to show the technology. Examples can be seen in open kitchens. “Like a sliding door on a shelf, one side has all the goods that need to be stored and the other side one has decorative things one would you like to show,” he says. It is not just the outside that has to look nice, he believes that the interiors (say of a drawer) should also look good.
PLAYING FAVOURITES
Hettich like a parent, loves all his products. “I would like to point out a few iconic ones though, which are famous across the globe. These include the Quadro Runners, which developed as category in itself, in the under-mount hidden slides niche. Then there is Sensys Hinge, a silent hinge, followed closely by our sliding doors, CargoTech and InoTech.” The plan is to keep innovating and providing great quality and modern aesthetics. The company at the moment is working on future tech, such as a robotic butler for the lazy kitchen user. The best part? The company is planning to launch new products every month.