Reviving a forgotten classic in kitchen design

16 March 2016


Häcker Kitchens has launched a modern shelf element with a sliding door system and individually adjustable worktops.

The family-owned company Häcker has been manufacturing modern fitted kitchens at its site in Rödinghausen, East Westphalia - the home of the German kitchen furniture industry - since 1965.

The company's gross sales rose to €466m in 2015 (2014: €406m). In total, 183,000 kitchens were produced by 1,337 employees last year - and sold all over the world.

With growth of 15% when compared with 2014, Häcker Kitchens says it is once again underlining its position as one of Europe's leading kitchen manufacturers, while continuing to develop at a rate above the sector average.

"We are very pleased with our result for 2015, especially in view of the tough market environment we have to contend with in the German kitchen furniture industry," says managing director and owner Jochen Finkemeier. "We owe our above-average growth to our convincing products, our many satisfied customers and, of course, our excellent team."

The company says that its development is characterised by continuous growth and future-oriented investment; currently, more than 60 countries spread across all continents are supplied with its 'Made in Germany' kitchens.

Häcker has two product lines available for the various market segments: classic and classicART for the entry level and systemat and systematART for the middle and upper price segments.

Classic and classicART is a price conscious concept which comes in a variety of different styles with several possibilities for cabinet configuration, as well as a large range of fittings and accessories.

Taking the traditional base unit height of 72cm as a starting point, there are numerous unit sizes, and various plinth heights, to choose from.

Systemat and systematART is a sophisticated system, says Häcker, featuring variable and clearly-structured modules and an array of widths, depths and heights, making for a high degree of creative freedom.

Extremely robust construction - with convenient full pull-outs, unusual shelf and cabinet solutions with integrated lighting concepts, and smart interior fittings - offer optimal storage space, says Häcker.

When it comes to door systems, it says there are three aspects which consumers particularly appreciate: ergonomics, design and functionality. Especially in a kitchen, solutions for cabinets and shelves should be space-saving, open easily and close softly. They also shouldn't get in the way during cooking, says the maker.

Furthermore, because their large surface area determines the overall look of the kitchen, they need to have a modern design as well.

Now Häcker Kitchens says it has come up with the ideal answer: for its new shelf element, the company has revived a forgotten classic - and enhanced it with state-of-the-art technology - and that is the sliding door.

The modern shelving system, with sliding doors, has been developed for both base and wall cabinets. Depending on the model, one or two sliding doors move across the front of the shelves on a single track, thus creating a combination of open and closed areas that can be varied effortlessly and translate the modern, spacious look and feel of the interior architecture into the furnishings.

Fitted with dampers on both sides, the sliding doors are also equipped with a follower function as a standard feature, allowing two front panels to be pushed aside at once.

For planners and interior designers, the system opens up a host of possibilities: the shelf elements can easily be positioned one on top of the other, with perfectly matched joins, says Häcker.

This family company has provided plenty of scope for individual design options, too: the shelves are available in over 80 colours or finishes and can be combined with virtually any range from the classic or systemat lines.

"It looks more than likely that this new take on the sliding door will turn into a success story," says sales and marketing director Markus Sander. "The initial response to the shelving system at the inhouse exhibition in 2015 was positive in every respect. Every single dealer we spoke to was impressed with the new shelf - not just the way it looks, but its functionality as well. We attached a great deal of importance to getting the damping right."

The same goes for another new product from Häcker Kitchens: an individually adjustable worktop which has been developed as an ideal addition to the counter space.

It can be extended effortlessly up to 30cm, turning a normal work surface into a counter system in one simple move and it's just as easy to return the panel to its original position. The individually adjustable worktop is also extremely adaptable as it can be moved horizontally, vertically, or at a 45o angle.

"With these new additions, we're offering our customers products that are ideal for any modern kitchen," says Markus Sander. "Both the individually adjustable worktop and the shelving system are an harmonious blend of flexibility and function, design and practicality." Both products are available from dealers as of now.

Markus Sander was appointed managing director for sales and marketing in January 2015, reinforcing the management team around managing directors Jochen Finkemeier, purchasing, finance and control, and Dirk Krupka, technology and administration.

The sales division directors are Marcus Roth, domestic and Austrian sales and marketing, and Andreas Möller, export sales.

The individually adjustable worktop brings more flexibility to the kitchen
Space-saving design element: the sliding door system from Häcker permits an attractive combination of open and closed areas.
With the new sliding door system, the appearance of the cabinet fronts can be altered in one easy move
The sliding door system meets the highest standards of design, ergonomics and functionality
Häcker’s sliding door system is available in more than 80 colours and finishes
The ideal addition to the counter space is the new individually adjustable worktop (this photo and right)
The individually-adjustable worktop converts the work surface into a counter in one easy move