Most kitchens are now sold with some form of storage solution, so differentiation is increasingly important. With this in mind, one of the main developments in internal storage is the growing importance of aesthetics. Two specific strategies from Hettich in line with this trend are integrated lighting and profiles/capes for drawer sides.
The Hettich AvanTech YOU drawer system offers the option of integrated lighting, with a system which simply clips into place and gives a premium feel to a kitchen. The triangular lighting profile can be fitted either to illuminate the inside of open drawers or to direct light outwards.
The system is based on an even 4,000K LED light, with a practical, USB-rechargeable battery pack to provide the energy, so there is no need for costly electrical connections. The lights switch on and off automatically with the opening and closing of the drawer. Larder units spring to mind as an attention-grabbing use of this technology.
Drawer Profiles and Capes
Sticking closely to the individualisation theme are Hettich’s Profiles and Capes for AvanTech YOU. Profiles cover the top profile of the drawer side, while Capes cover both the top and outer side.
Hettich offers a range of Profiles and Capes, but manufacturers can get creative with their own ideas. This could include anything from subtle vinyl wraps to match or complement cabinet designs to, at the other end of the scale, cartoon characters, perhaps for bedroom furniture manufacturers looking to appeal to the children’s market.
The market
After the initial shock of Covid, Hettich’s sales for internal kitchen storage have been strong and the group’s sales were up 26% in 2021 compared with the previous year.
“It is difficult to know how much of this can be attributed directly to home working, for example, but spending more time at home certainly focused people’s attention on their interiors,” says Hettich UK marketing manager, Colin Patterson.
“This probably encouraged a desire to introduce premium aspects into new kitchens, such as lighting and individual design elements. In the next couple of years, we see an increasing trend for individualisation in internal storage along with more active interest in sustainability, as customers seek reassurance that the products they buy have been produced responsibly from the point of view of climate change.
“We will also see customers prioritise maximising the efficiency with which they use their available space. Larder storage is better understood and appreciated by most potential purchasers today, and is likely to become a more dominant feature in kitchens of all sizes.”
Hettich was founded in 1888 and is today one of the world’s largest and most successful manufacturers of furniture fittings. Over 6,700 members of staff in almost 80 countries work together to develop intelligent technology for furniture. The Hettich brand stands for consistent values – for quality and innovation, reliability and closeness to customers.
Despite its size and international significance, Hettich has remained a family-owned business. Being independent of investors means that the company has a free hand in shaping its future with a focus on the human element and sustainability.
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