At the first of August, Nienkämper, the Canadian designer and manufacturer of office furniture, announced that after 25 fruitful years as part of ICF (International Contract Furnishings, Inc.) Group, the company has purchased back all of ICF’s ownership interests in Nienkämper.
Nienkämper is now owned by a family trust, with Ann-Marie Snook, who has been with the company for more than 35 years, serving as President. Klaus Nienkämper will remain Chairman and will continue to lead the design direction of the company.
In an officeinsight interview last week, we caught up with newly minted Nienkämper president Ann-Marie Snook about the announcement, her new position, and the future of Nienkämper.
If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Snook, you know that she is a passionate ball of energy, relentlessly pursuing Nienkämper’s best interests, whether in a frenzied conversation at NeoCon or hosting visitors at the company’s headquarters in Toronto.
Ms. Snook began her career at Nienkämper 35 years ago, in 1984 as part of the customer service team (she was educated as a high school mathematics teacher). Quickly promoted to customer service manager two years later in 1986, she then moved up to serve as Canadian sales manager and manager of customer relations from 2001 – 2008, and has served as Vice President of Nienkämper for the past 11 years.
“It’s a very exciting time, and a great opportunity for us as a company looking to the future,” said Ms. Snook. “We had a great partnership with ICF Group for so many years, but we were also very independent. This is another natural step in our future that we’re excited to take.”
Klaus Nienkämper established his company in 1968 with a strong focus on design – of tables, and of integrated power solutions. The company flourished, creating products that spoke to clients in the burgeoning software tech market and enjoying many years of phenomenal growth through its partnership with ICF Group. Over time, it has expanded its product lines into lounge and seating where and when leadership felt it has made sense for them to do so.
Nienkämper has been recognized as one of the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada each year since 2009, and its team is a passionate crew that includes Klaus’s daughter Rebecca Nienkämper, vice president of Media Relations; son Klaus Nienkämper II, president of Studio KLAUS; and daughter Ottilie Nienkämper, marketing & media relations.
We asked Ms. Snook to share her view of Nienkämper’s future, now that she stands at the helm of the company.
“It’s very gratifying to know that the next chapter of the company will take place back within the Nienkämper family. This is Klaus’ legacy, and it’s coming at a time that feels right for us and for everyone.”
“Our future will continue to center around tables with technology and integrated power. That focus – wrapping the table around technology in a beautiful way – has always been our core strength, and we want to continue that focus.”
We also have a long tradition of listening and responding well to the market, and we want to use that ability to keep our product, our partnerships with designers, and our direction, current and relevant.”
Nienkämper’s newest products, introduced at NeoCon this past June, included Heartbeat, a seating solution that garnered the Best of NeoCon Editor’s Choice Award in Seating: Benches.
Heartbeat is a twisting, “pulsating, alive respite to stagnation. Totally reconfigurable and scalable, Heartbeat is composed of three distinct seating elements: Straight, Concave, and Convex. Repositioning these three elements allows for the creation of a myriad of unique, morphing, undulating, physical landscapes. The shape and direction of the alternating seating resembles a wave or a pulse, keeps guests from being seated back to back, and makes it effortless to spark interaction. Designed to facilitate conversation, Heartbeat suggests sharing a “heart to heart” with your fellow human being.”
Also new and notable this year, Hub is a new seating collection designed with Toronto-based industrial design firm HUB Design Studio, featuring clean lines and a carefully contoured shape that is both visually intriguing and physically comfortable.
Hub chair by Nienkämper
Nienkämper also expanded its Gateway Collection this year with the new Gateway Height Adjustable Media Wall Tables, designed by Danish firm Busk+Hertzog.
“Gateway™ Height Adjustable Media Wall Tables provide an adaptive platform that incorporate an upholstered screen for space division, auditory and visual privacy and multi-media connectivity. The work surface can easily move from sitting to standing position with a push of a button while the multi-media monitor moves effortlessly in sync with the work surface so it is always at the right height for viewers. Height adjustable meeting tables allow the users to move from their seats to a standing position which keeps body & mind active whilst keeping the concentration as high as possible.
Gateway Height Adjustable Media Wall Table“At the touch of a button, Gateway™ Height Adjustable Media Wall Tables effortlessly transform meeting tables to create innovative multimedia solutions for communication, presentations and interactive work spaces.”
We wish Ms. Snook, Mr. Nienkämper and the entire Nienkämper team a bright and fortuitous future.