We Need To Create Awareness
Markus Benz
Photos by Oliver Spies
Words by Oliver Herwig
Markus Benz has managed Walter Knoll, the Herrenberg-based upholstered furniture manufacturer, since 1993. Production takes place in Germany, a high-wage country, and the leather used is sourced exclusively from young European bulls. Knoll knows 25 different types of seam for joining or decorating leather. But what does this precision have to do with sustainability? And is leather still acceptable in vegan times?
manufacturer Walter Knoll.
Markus Benz has been manager of the traditional Herrenberg
company Walter Knoll since 1993. How does the entrepreneur see the sustainable future of the furniture industry?
Sustainable Quality
Interview with Markus Benz
We have to raise awareness! Markus Benz has been CEO of traditional furniture manufacturer Walter Knoll, located in Herrenberg, Germany, since 1993. — You have held ISO 14001 certification since 2019. An examination of the certification process shows that it extends to cover virtually all areas of a company. In concrete terms, what does that mean for your own operations? — That’s quite a technical question. In general, certification–in this case, certified sustainability. ISO 14001 isn’t about a single effort or achievement; this is a long-term project. Sustainability gains its impetus to advance from a stream of new projects. As a company we live and breath certified quality, so certification is also about our self-image and one reason why we decided to engage with it in the first place. So it wasn’t just a marketing ploy… No, certification is very much part of our lived reality. As a family entrepreneur, I can’t just run away. I’m here, I’m always accessible. That means I have to take responsibility for everything I do–today, or in twenty years’ time. — What sparked your first steps on the sustainability journey? We’ve always embraced sustainability and responsibility. I’ve been with Walter Knoll for 28 years. For me, the start of a new millennium was an important milestone, throwing up the question: where do we go from here? Before that point there was always a feeling that everything had to be higher and faster, but suddenly a new colour appeared on the spectrum: the colour of the new millennium. And it was blue. The blue of clean air and clear water. — What conclusions have you reached from this? There will be a new natural. People will reach a point where their self-image is crucial; not something artificial or insincere, but something profound and fundamental. This created a clear outline for my collection. We have to do things that are natural and that are celebrated naturally. Solid wood is such a sensuous thing, and so is natural leather. Our aim was to enable people to regain their feel for natural beauty, natural elegance, and this gradually permeated the entire collection. After all, we only design a few pieces every year. Minimalism has always been a priority for us; we’ve created enduring products from just a few elements. That isn’t something you can dream up as a marketing ploy and then fast-track through certification. — Reviewing and revising standards is a constant accompaniment to certification. You signed up to the Climate Pact of the German furniture industry association, DGM. What concrete aspects have you changed to reflect this? Nothing, really. We were already occupying relatively new premises that comply with the highest standards in the various areas, so we were in a very good position. The majority of the energy used at our premises is from renewable sources, and we’ve installed solar panel systems on the roofs that will help us generate much of our own power in future.We’re also conveniently located directly at the railway station, so that many people choose to visit us by train. I prefer to take the train myself too, of course; even if it’s not always on time, it’s still better than sitting in a traffic jam. I can work during the journey and make the most of the time.
The material warehouse at Walter Knoll is an olfactory treasure trove.
— Your products showcase a philosophy that you have also expressed in your headquarters: a focus on quality, on long-term investment. It’s the same philosophy that is communicated by Walter Knoll sofas and armchairs. Do you have any facts and figures for your products’ lifespan in home or office use? You probably get enquiries from people trying to source upholstery fabric from 1963… Yes, actually we do have a few stories like that. In fact, some of them go back even further! We’ve had enquiries about armchairs from 1937 that needed to be reupholstered. A great story! But an even more important factor is our products’ timeless design, which means they continue to be appreciated and ride out changing trends. Products that you grow out of liking, or that are very much of their time, are such a waste. — So is timelessness critical for sustainability? Yes, absolutely. We’ve achieved that timelessness; we’ve cracked it. Our products are handed down. They start off as partners for life, then they pass from parents to children–or to different owners altogether. Lifespans of 20 or 30 years for our products are very common. —My grandmother used to say she was too poor to buy cheap. But at the moment the ruling philosophy is buy fast, use fast. Can we actually afford to do that in the future? Shouldn’t we be investing in quality across the board? I agree with your grandmother! We simply can’t continue down the road of fast consumption. Our environment is something we were given to protect and pass on. It can’t be based on consumption; it must have its roots in meaningful actions. Furniture is most definitely something that can age with dignity and style, as the trend for retro products and design demonstrates. I’d rather be supporting that side than the side aiming for fast consumption.
