For a company that recently celebrated its 70th anniversary, Andreu World is remarkably forward-looking. The Spain-based, family-owned furniture manufacturer has built its global reputation by committing — almost stubbornly — to craft, design and an ethical responsibility to the planet. Under the leadership of CEO Jesús Llinares, that commitment has only sharpened, positioning Andreu World as one of the most thoughtful and influential brands in contemporary furniture today.
“It’s our 70th anniversary, and this is a major milestone for the company,” Llinares said. “But what excites us most is not the number — it’s the energy of the company right now.” That energy is evident in the collections Andreu World is launching, the designers it continues to collaborate with, and the way the company is investing in sustainability and growth, particularly in North America.
Andreu World’s story begins in 1955 in Valencia, Spain, rooted in a deep knowledge of wood bending and craftsmanship. “Our main technology was solid wood, plywood using high-frequency thermal confirmation to bend the wood,” Llinares explained. That expertise became the company’s first competitive advantage, and it still informs the brand’s DNA today.
One of the clearest examples is the recently launched Bolete collection by Patricia Urquiola. “It’s made with exactly the same technology the company started with in 1955,” Llinares said. “Arriving 70 years later with this success, this bestseller, is a wonderful sign of the energy of the company.”
The collection is both a nod to Andreu World’s origins and proof that traditional craftsmanship, when paired with contemporary design, remains relevant. But the company is not defined by nostalgia. Alongside wood-based collections, Andreu World is pushing aggressively into new materials and technologies. If you browsed the company’s 50th anniversary catalog in 2005, it was 97% wood products. Andreu World is expanding to include more aluminum and other metals along with bioplastics. Bolete is made from biopolymer materials that are 100 percent recycled and 100 percent recyclable.
Simply put, Andreu World trusts its designers and that trust in designers is central to Andreu World’s success. Over decades, the company has built long-term partnerships with some of the most respected names in contemporary design, including Philippe Starck, Jasper Morrison, Alfredo Häberli, Patricia Urquiola, Piergiorgio Cazzaniga, and Benjamin Hubert, among others.
Design, for Llinares, is not about aesthetics alone. “We want to make quality products that take maximum advantage of the craftsmanship and the raw materials,” Llinares said. That mindset has allowed Andreu World to build a portfolio that resonates globally, from New York and Chicago to Tokyo, Dubai and beyond.
North America, in particular, has been a critical part of the company’s growth. While many European brands have struggled to gain traction in the U.S., Andreu World has done the opposite. Llinares attributes that success to a clear focus on specifiers — architects and designers —rather than chasing short-term sales.
That alignment has paid off. Andreu World invested early in the U.S. Today, the brand’s presence is anchored by its Chicago flagship showroom, housed in the former Steelcase space at THE MART. “It’s amazing,” Llinares said simply. “A beautiful showroom.”
The company has doubled down on that momentum with recent showroom expansions, including its new global headquarters and showroom in Valencia, Spain. The space, filled with Mediterranean light and surrounded by the beautiful Spanish landscape, reflects Andreu World’s philosophy as much as its products.
The showrooms are statements of intent that signal Andreu World’s long-term commitment to the North American market and its belief that physical spaces still matter in building relationships, culture and brand identity.
If design is one pillar of Andreu World’s strategy, sustainability is the other. At the company, it is not treated as an add-on or marketing tool.
Sustainability was embedded from the start. Over the past 25 years, the company has turned that commitment into measurable action. Andreu World is a certified B Corp, carbon neutral in Scope 1 and 2, zero waste, and fully FSC-certified across its wood portfolio. It is also one of the few furniture manufacturers pursuing a radical approach to circular design. “Either we are 100 percent (working toward protecting the environment), or we are not,” Llinares said.
Vertical integration plays a key role in making that possible. Andreu World manages parts of its own forestry operations, controls its wood sourcing, and has invested in plastic injection technology to ensure that recycled and bio-based materials meet its standards. “We control the means,” Llinares said. “From the tree to the final destination anywhere in the world.” That control ensures consistency, quality and genuine environmental impact.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Llinares is clear about the company’s ambitions. Andreu World intends to remain focused on its specialty: ancillary furniture. “We are not interested in doing everything,” he says. “We want to be the best company in the world in this category.” That focus allows the company to go deeper into materials, design, sustainability and performance rather than spreading itself thin.
Growth will continue, especially in North America, where the company is already seeing record results. Tariffs, shifting geopolitics, and economic uncertainty are challenges, but Llinares sees them as opportunities to improve operations and move closer to the market.
Ultimately, what sets Andreu World apart is its belief that design can, and must, be a force for good. “Design is the discipline to change the world,” Llinares said. “Designers are going to help create a better world, with positive impact and sustainability.” In an industry often driven by speed and scale, Andreu World is proving that longevity, integrity and innovation can coexist.
And after 70 years the company is not slowing down. If anything, it is accelerating.
