eggersmann & Schmalenbach Factory Tours Fall 2022
Factory Experience Highlights
In October 2022, eggersmann USA hosted a trip for their designers, technical team, and dealer partners to visit the eggersmann factory in Hiddenhausen, Germany. The group also visited the Schmalenbach factory in Gummersbach, some of our German partners such as Hettich hardware supplier and Stadler Metalwerk, and enjoyed sightseeing and fun activities.
If you are a designer, builder, or architect, learn more about how to join our Concierge Program to perhaps join us on a future Factory Experience tour.
The eggersmann factory is both state-of-the-art and full of handcraftsmen who utilize new and old technologies to create one of a kind cabinetry and other precision engineered solutions for modern home living.
Day 1 – Herford, Germany
After an overnight flight between Newark and Frankfurt, the group arrived mid-morning and made their way through EU Border Control and Customs then hopped aboard a bus together to IntercityHotel Herford. The afternoon was open for resting or exploring the charming 1200+ year old town of Herford, Germany.
The group met in the lobby to walk over to the nearby restaurant, Wohnzimmer Restaurant & Bar, to experience the creative versions of regional East Westphalian German cuisine. Wohnzimmer is German for “living room” and it is just that cozy, familiar feeling you get as you dine. It was a great way to end the first day in Germany.
Day 2 – eggersmann Factory Tour
The group met Michael Brinkjost, senior leader of eggersmann, and other company leaders then toured the cabinetry factory and the Hiddenhausen showroom featuring the latest finishes and innovations.
The tour group saw first-hand eggersmann’s latest materials, finishes, and innovations. Then everyone broke out into discussion groups for Sales and Tech to discuss recent innovations and novel finishes and for Installation to discuss and share best practices.
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- welcoming meeting
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- behind the scene tour
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- grain matching layout apparatus
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- mixing wood and stone
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- levitate cantilevered island
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- eggersmann kitchen display
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- glance metal-framed glass fronts
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- fastmount wall panel system
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- cabtec
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- interlink cabinet front finish
After catered lunch, the group set off on a quick bus ride to Hettich, a hardware manufacturer and supplier. After an enlightening experience of both trendy and proven cabinetry hardware, the group set off for some fast-paced fun at Kartbahn. With helmets strapped on (safety first!), the teams had a blast testing their cart-racing skills and challenging fellow team members to races.
After returning to the hotel, the group met to walk to dinner at Cxielo, for upscale casual fare.
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- catered food truck lunch
Day 3 – Stadler Metalwerk & eggersmann Factory Tour
The group enjoyed breakfast at the hotel then boarded a private bus for a tour of steelworks supplier, Stadler Metalwerk. The Stadler team offered intriguing behind-the-scenes peeks into how luxury metal finishes including hot-rolled-steel are created.
Back at the eggersmann factory, product designer, Sabine Orlowski, shared her take on current and future trends in cabinetry and interior design.
Following lunch at the factory, Walter Schwanekamp, leader of Schwanekamp GmbH in Gescher, Münsterland, Germany, led a discussion on stones and natural processing. Read an interesting interview with Walter.
Mid-afternoon, Anke Eisenbrog, Marketing Director at eggersmann, shared ideas and discussed 2023 and beyond with the tour group.
Continuing with the all-access tour of the eggersmann company leadership and processes, the vital order processers, Ute, Larissa, and Frank, shared how they keep it all organized and how sales and techs can help make order processing the best it can be.
After a short rest back at the hotel, the group was back aboard the bus to the eggersmann factory for a live cooking demonstration with celebrity Chef Mark of Elsbach Restaurant, then dinner and a surprise guest DJ during the party that followed.
Day 4 – Sighseeing on the Way to Gummersbach
After breakfast at the hotel, we headed southwest of Herford to Gummersbach with a delightful stop at Hagen Open-Air Museum with Michael Wunram, current owner of eggersmann and great-grandson of its founder.
Upon arrival in Gummersbach, the group checked in to Das Steinmueller Hotel. The hotel is in the mall district so it was convenient for souvenir and gift buyers in the group to enjoy.
Across the street from the hotel, the group enjoyed dinner at 32 Süd in Halle 32. Even as cooler temps had begun in the region, incredibly fresh seasonal ingredients were used in a varied modern mountain cuisine menu.
Day 5 – Schmalenbach Factory Tour & Cologne / Köln
After breakfast, the group visited the Schmalenbach showroom and factory. They were treated to an insider’s view of new materials, fresh finishes, innovative ideas, trending concepts, and showroom displays.
Schmalenbach leadership discussed the S28 system hardware components and improvements over the years.
Cologne Cathedral
After catered lunch at the factory, the group jumped aboard a bus to head to Cologne. They toured the Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral). This UNESCO site is one of the most recognizable in the world. Its towers built in the 1800s remain the second-tallest structures in Cologne. But its history goes farther back to the 12th century when building there was conceived to hold a goldsmith’s work of art entitled the Shrine of the Three Kings, where it has been since 1164.
Riverfront & Brewery Districts
Then the group set off to take in the riverfront district (Rheinauhafen) and brewery district. This included a tour of Brauwelt Koln, one of the oldest breweries in Cologne! Dinner at brewery was delicious.
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- Sidewalk chalk art supporting Ukraine outside Dom Cathedral
Day 6 – Schmalenbach Factory
After breakfast, the team was back at the factory of Schmalenbach Design. They were treated to an amazing factory production tour and a deep dive into innovative highly-functional Hafele accessories at the Schmalenbach factory.
Schmalenbach offered an insider’s view to LumenS, a lighting and wireless design system. the new sample board of all-LED light channels was demonstrated including the new Forma LED Tape light and new Hafele Multi-White.
After a light lunch catered by Muehlenhelle, the Schmalenbach team demonstrated the S35 system take down and build up, reviewed new drawer box designs and colors, went over the new Tubular steel system, and introduced new materials, concepts, new decors, and new ranges. They also shared details about luxurious velvet and fabrics including a mockup of new Velvet Seven range. Schmalenbach also explained what saddle work is, how it is achieved, and what materials can be used.
After a short rest at the hotel, the group enjoyed dinner at Im Holsteiner Fährhaus.