![Book Flatlay Cover Front Transparent Trio[1]](https://d31dpzy4bseog7.cloudfront.net/media/2024/06/07080212/Book_Flatlay_Cover_Front_Transparent_Trio1.png)
Family, Quality and Modernity – Walter Knoll from Living Edge
Heralded as one the world’s pre-eminent furniture companies, the Walter Knoll story encompasses over 155 years of history, spanning generations of the Knoll family, while never straying from the company’s inherent dedication to tradition. Universally known as the ‘furniture brand of modernity’, today Walter Knoll occupies the upper echelons of the furniture elite – a reputation built on an historic legacy of design skill, manufacturing prowess and quality craftmanship.
The origins of the Knoll dynasty can be traced back to the German city of Stuttgart, when Wilhelm Knoll first opened a leather shop in the year 1865. While he did not know it at the time, Wilhelm had laid the foundation for a company whose commitment to product innovation fuelled by quality manufacturing would see its products adorn the interiors of the world’s most esteemed spaces.
A true family business in name and practice, Wilhelm Knoll’s greatest legacy is demonstrated in the generations of Knoll family members that would follow him, each committed to upholding the quality of product and timelessness of design that is expressed through every part of the brand. In a competitive era of big corporations, each new custodian of the Knoll legacy has remained dedicated to the deep-seated traditions of the company, while remaining competitive through innovative product development coupled with natural German ingenuity.
It is this approach that has ensured the company’s foundational values and steadfast commitment to quality products has remained resolute – even as the world has changed immeasurably. Walter Knoll’s dedication to product development through design innovation is evidenced in its historic catalogue of upholstered products. Significant designs such as the Tama Living Sofa and the Healy Lounge Chair rightfully occupy their places amongst some of the industry’s most celebrated pieces of furniture, standing as testament to a company devoted to upholding the traditions of the past, while constantly adapting in order to shape the future.
Walter Knoll’s history may be firmly ingrained in Europe, but its future is being built far from Germany in the picturesque Australian city of Adelaide. Following the foundation of subsidiary business Walter Knoll Australia in 2007, the company established its only manufacturing plant outside of Germany in Australia’s ‘city of churches’. This little-known fact has had a significant impact on the Australian market, providing the country with local production capabilities, which has in turn lead to shorter lead times and more sustainable manufacturing.
Through its partnership with Living Edge, Walter Knoll’s presence in Australia is continuing to flourish. In keeping with Living Edge’s commitment to bringing the world’s greatest furniture brands to the Australian market, the partnership between the two brands has been integral in providing trade and retail clients alike with access to the finest German engineered furniture – the embodiment of both tradition and innovation.
