AWMAC member profile Hettich: Four generations of furniture technology innovations Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature You can’t see Hettich’s prod- ucts in completed projects, but the company’s four generations of family-owned management have provided responsive and in- novative solutions to technology challenges since 1888. The company began when Karl Hettich mechanized the pro- duction of anchor escapements for cuckoo clocks. In 1928, son August Hettich developed a produc- tion line for piano hinges, a move that set the course for the com- pany’s current focus: furniture tech- nology. Today the Hettich name applies to hinges, drawer runners, folding and sliding systems, han- dles, drawer systems and lighting systems in furniture. Eastern Canada sales manager Claude de Lanauze says Hettich’s AWMAC (Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada) membership helps to con- nect the business with its market. “The association sets high stan- dards and we present products to meet those high project standards and grade needs,” he said. “We also offer products that are new and innovative to keep members current on what is available and possible. Many of our lines are patented be- cause they are unique.” De Lanauze says Hettich has used the same focus it demon- strated for its sliding door program, to develop a new product. The re- cently-introduced ArciTech drawer supports high loading capacity, re- specting the trend towards material such as marble, glass and heavy wood. “Our German-engineered, high quality products are durable and want to support all growing material trends,” he said. “We also use two dedicated technicians to provide technical support and training to fur- ther assist our customers.” De Lanauze says the AWMAC membership allows Hettich to stay in front of its clients to better understand their needs. The com- pany also organizes focus groups and uses its own laboratories to study how people work and works with schools worldwide on product development and innova- tion. “We work bi-annually with REHAU Unlimited Polymer Solu- tions on the International Design Awards,” he said. “This competition invites design students from all over the world to create innovative and unusual solutions in furniture de- sign and challenges us to come up with novelty solutions to meet the needs of these fresh eyes and new perspectives.” Hettich also took part in the Woodworking Machinery and Sup- ply Expo (WMS) in October. “We support AWMAC and have provided our support to its renewed chapter in Quebec,” he said. “It is important to the industry to support the association’s standards for best value and highest quality.” For more information, visit hettich.com The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Fall 2013 – 37