Klaus Nienkämper on overcoming market challenges through innovative design

Written by Ian Armitage and produced by Michael Gutierrez Nienk‰mper, a company born from entrepreneur Klaus Nienk‰mperís drive and determination, never compromises, and it is this approach that has earned it high praise, a long list of awards and decades of success. ìWe are committed to being at the forefront of innovation; we never compromise and push the boundaries of technology,î he explains. ìThis is my vision; it has been very successful, and it continues to this day.î Klaus believes a furniture company succeeds when it meets customer needs, while pursuing the highest standards in design and manufacturing. This philosophy forms the cornerstone of his organization. Thanks to this approach, Nienkamperís profile has continued to grow, both domestically and internationally. The company, which started life in 1968, is now recognized for producing some of the best corporate and residential furniture on the market. Today, Nienkamper employs 200 people and sells to the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, where it is currently working on a large project in the UAE. The company is forward-thinking and never looks back. ìWhen I came to Canada there was very little in terms of contemporary furniture; I recognized the need to target this niche and we have continued to develop ever since,î says Klaus, who first came to the country in 1960. ìToday, we consider ourselves to be a market leader, producing some of the best corporate and residential furniture available on the market ñ that is our forte and we count numerous Fortune 500 companies amongst our core clientele.î In fact, without Nienk‰mper, and Klausí vision, it is debatable that the boardrooms of today would look as they do now. Coming to Canada Born in Duisburg, Germany, in 1940, an ambitious Klaus arrived in Canada in 1960 with a language barrier to overcome and just &36 in his pocket. His first job was at a car wash on Torontoís King Street. However, intent on making modern furniture, Klaus began working with respected designers and in 1968, with minimal capital, established a company that introduced classic European imports to the Canadian market. ìI began importing, and later manufacturing under license, classic European-designed furniture,î says Klaus. ìIím happy with what I have created and look forward to the future.î Nienk‰mper targets specific niches very successfully. Its factory, located in the heart of Toronto, has expanded dramatically as a result. It has become a 120,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility, producing furniture for shipment around the globe. This is a signal of how successful Nienk‰mper has become. But what has made Nienk‰mper a great success? Klaus believes he has the answer. ìWe have classic and contemporary designs, follow the highest standards in manufacturing, and our products have a proven track record. They are durable, easy to maintain and flexible; they are truly unique and unlike anything else on the marketÖ To read the full article, click here