A short drive from Dusseldorf airport lies the small German town of Rietberg, the unofficial hub of East Westphalia’s furniture manufacturing region and the entry point to the Möbelmeile. Roughly translated as the mile of furniture, the Möbelmeile event comprises 17 established furniture manufacturers, which, from 20-24th September, will open their showrooms to unveil their latest ranges.
Möbelmeile reaches its 20th edition this year, and whilst its exhibitor base may be smaller than at its peak in 2005, the roster comprises some of Germany’s best-known and most progressive brands.
Together covering an impressive 500,000 sqm – including a combined showroom display area of 20,000 sqm – the members of the Möbelmeile produce furniture for every part of the home. Overwhelmingly clean, contemporary, and well suited to modern living, the product created draws on the natural materials of the heavily-forested region these manufacturers inhabit, whilst employing the latest fittings and surface materials.
Products made in Germany are respected worldwide, and the Möbelmeile members are some of the best in the industry. Although many of the participants take part in imm cologne, Möbelmeile provides a uniquely personal opportunity to gain insights into the companies’ product and production methods, and to secure early exclusives.
“From designers to component suppliers, mechanical engineers to furniture manufacturers, various trade fairs and a great many other providers in areas like marketing, logistics and distribution, we have all the know-how right here in the region to develop, produce and market furniture,” says Möbelmeile MD, Michael Laukötter.
“No other region in Germany has such a high density of people working in one way or another with furniture. All the diversity and breadth of the product ranges, collections and systems, right at the companies’ production locations and presented to very best effect – you will only find that here.”
This article was published in the August issue of Furniture News magazine.
