ASSMANN is ready for the future

With NEW WORK NOW and a successful generation change, ASSMANN Büromöbel GmbH & Co KG is heading towards the future with greater strength. This is not only because of Karla Assmann’s successful start in the company’s management at the beginning of 2023. With future-proof room concepts and innovative furnishing solutions centred around the hot topics of New Work – FLEXIBLE/HYBRID/HOME/SMART OFFICE – ASSMANN is responding with agility to the challenges and developments in modern work environments. Its consistent expansion of both its product portfolio and its service/servicing provision for the complete range of advice, planning and configuration issues associated with modern working environments create a solid foundation for the future. Based on this, the family business was again able to slightly increase its turnover to around 150 million euros in the past business year, 2023, with exports continuing to contribute an eight percent share. The number of staff at the Melle site at the beginning of 2024 – in which ASSMANN is celebrating its 85-year jubilee, was more than 400.

“The sum total of good results shows us that we have made many good decisions in order to consistently progress our journey. With NEW WORK NOW we’ve recognised what our customers and specialist dealers need in order to continue being successful in future. It is not just a question of single items of office furniture, but much more of holistic concepts for modern working environments that stimulate enthusiasm for New Work“, says Managing Director Karla Assmann. Dirk Assmann, Managing Partner, adds: “We can be proud of what we’ve all achieved together. But we also mustn’t forget that we’re still operating in a challenging business environment. Increased energy prices and tolls demand our complete attention if we want to remain successful.”

ASSMANN pursues the aim of further establishing itself as an all-round provider and delivering its customers individualised furnishing solutions from one source. The acquisition of the remaining 26 percent of shares in Frem Group Screens Ltd. contributes to precisely this aim: under the name of SPACEMANN, the company is acting as an independent development and production location in the United Kingdom. The first two partial takeovers were effected in 2018 and 2021. SPACEMANN mainly develops and produces stylish room-in-room systems, acoustic walls and soft seating furniture for the entire European market.

Where the consistently expanded product portfolio for modern working environments is concerned, the elegant, soundproofed Syneo Silence Box for concentrated work and undisturbed meetings is one of the latest highlights. The first room-in-room solution since the 100% takeover of SPACEMANN offers space for calm and is as diverse as daily office life itself. From size, furnishing and lighting to the choice of materials and fabrics, the potential for individual configuration is almost limitless. Besides products such as Syneo Silence and others, further smart office solutions such as the software-controlled electronic locker systems and smart booking systems for offices and parking places have developed into a key interest for the market. In this field, ASSMANN has acquired an experienced partner with GoBright.

With its 2,200 square metre logistics centre, the office furniture manufacture has set a decisive direction for the future. At its home location, ASSMANN has invested around 6.5 million euros in this, which is the biggest construction undertaking to date at the Meller operating site. Moreover, thought has also been given to the environment. A powerful photovoltaic plant ensures environmentally friendly energy generation for the company’s in-house supply. Additionally, a large rainwater retention basin has been installed, where a biodiverse habitat is forming. While on the topic of sustainability: Besides its gold medal in the independent sustainability rating EcoVadis, for its sustainability report #weiter_gehen and other initiatives, ASSMANN has attained a further milestone in the sustainability field with its ISO 50001 certification. With a new sustainability report already due for publication this summer, the office furniture manufacturer is continuing further down this road. 

An additional highlight this year is ORGATEC. At the last edition of this leading trade fair for modern working environments, ASSMANN already made a statement with the all-round solutions of NEW WORK NOW. ASSMANN now wants to build on this. But before this, the family business is going to celebrate its 85-year jubilee in summer, together with all its staff. The history of one of today’s market leaders in the office furniture sector began in 1939 in a little village carpenter’s shop. “We’re very proud that in our fourth generation, thanks to good work, we’ve developed into an all-round provider for the creation of future-proof office environments, a place where people are happy to work and feel comfortable“, says Dirk Assmann.

With NEW WORK NOW and a successful generation change, ASSMANN Büromöbel GmbH & Co KG is heading towards the future with greater strength. This is not only because of Karla Assmann’s successful start in the company’s management at the beginning of 2023. With future-proof room concepts and innovative furnishing solutions centred around the hot topics of New Work – FLEXIBLE/HYBRID/HOME/SMART OFFICE – ASSMANN is responding with agility to the challenges and developments in modern work environments. Its consistent expansion of both its product portfolio and its service/servicing provision for the complete range of advice, planning and configuration issues associated with modern working environments create a solid foundation for the future. Based on this, the family business was again able to slightly increase its turnover to around 150 million euros in the past business year, 2023, with exports continuing to contribute an eight percent share. The number of staff at the Melle site at the beginning of 2024 – in which ASSMANN is celebrating its 85-year jubilee, was more than 400.

“The sum total of good results shows us that we have made many good decisions in order to consistently progress our journey. With NEW WORK NOW we’ve recognised what our customers and specialist dealers need in order to continue being successful in future. It is not just a question of single items of office furniture, but much more of holistic concepts for modern working environments that stimulate enthusiasm for New Work“, says Managing Director Karla Assmann. Dirk Assmann, Managing Partner, adds: “We can be proud of what we’ve all achieved together. But we also mustn’t forget that we’re still operating in a challenging business environment. Increased energy prices and tolls demand our complete attention if we want to remain successful.”

ASSMANN pursues the aim of further establishing itself as an all-round provider and delivering its customers individualised furnishing solutions from one source. The acquisition of the remaining 26 percent of shares in Frem Group Screens Ltd. contributes to precisely this aim: under the name of SPACEMANN, the company is acting as an independent development and production location in the United Kingdom. The first two partial takeovers were effected in 2018 and 2021. SPACEMANN mainly develops and produces stylish room-in-room systems, acoustic walls and soft seating furniture for the entire European market.

Where the consistently expanded product portfolio for modern working environments is concerned, the elegant, soundproofed Syneo Silence Box for concentrated work and undisturbed meetings is one of the latest highlights. The first room-in-room solution since the 100% takeover of SPACEMANN offers space for calm and is as diverse as daily office life itself. From size, furnishing and lighting to the choice of materials and fabrics, the potential for individual configuration is almost limitless. Besides products such as Syneo Silence and others, further smart office solutions such as the software-controlled electronic locker systems and smart booking systems for offices and parking places have developed into a key interest for the market. In this field, ASSMANN has acquired an experienced partner with GoBright.

With its 2,200 square metre logistics centre, the office furniture manufacture has set a decisive direction for the future. At its home location, ASSMANN has invested around 6.5 million euros in this, which is the biggest construction undertaking to date at the Meller operating site. Moreover, thought has also been given to the environment. A powerful photovoltaic plant ensures environmentally friendly energy generation for the company’s in-house supply. Additionally, a large rainwater retention basin has been installed, where a biodiverse habitat is forming. While on the topic of sustainability: Besides its gold medal in the independent sustainability rating EcoVadis, for its sustainability report #weiter_gehen and other initiatives, ASSMANN has attained a further milestone in the sustainability field with its ISO 50001 certification. With a new sustainability report already due for publication this summer, the office furniture manufacturer is continuing further down this road. 

An additional highlight this year is ORGATEC. At the last edition of this leading trade fair for modern working environments, ASSMANN already made a statement with the all-round solutions of NEW WORK NOW. ASSMANN now wants to build on this. But before this, the family business is going to celebrate its 85-year jubilee in summer, together with all its staff. The history of one of today’s market leaders in the office furniture sector began in 1939 in a little village carpenter’s shop. “We’re very proud that in our fourth generation, thanks to good work, we’ve developed into an all-round provider for the creation of future-proof office environments, a place where people are happy to work and feel comfortable“, says Dirk Assmann.