The dawn of 2023 is bringing with it a new beginning for one of Europe’s leaders in commercial furniture, with the German brand Brunner officially launching in Australia. Led by Jean Paul de la Haye, Grant Humphreys and Kate Ip from the Brunner Asia Pacific Team, and now with Benjamin Jones as Australia’s business development manager, this iconic brand is ready to bring its trademark innovation to the Australian design scene. 

An uncompromising vision 

Known internationally for an ethos of boundary-pushing designs, Brunner has been changing the contract furniture game from the start with a clear vision that drives all brand elements. As a family business, Brunner stands apart from the rest. It has the reach and quality of a multinational name but the soul of a boutique brand. 

Brunner was born in 1977, with Rolf and Helena Brunner crossing the German countryside in a second-hand VW van to fulfil an order their former employer deemed “impossible”. This first expedition became the start of the brand, a foundation built upon the ability to deliver without compromise. Rolf and Helena have been joined by their son Dr. Marc Brunner, managing director, and son Philip Brunner and daughter Tina Lüdemann (née Brunner), who will ensure the family and brand values are carried on through the next generation. 

A southward migration 

Jean Paul de la Haye and Grant Humphreys, both with extensive experience with the Asia Pacific design industry, have led the expansion into the Asia Pacific region since 2020. With pre-existing distribution networks, Brunner had the name recognition and presence across the region to grow from while de la Haye and Humphreys had the expertise to take Brunner to the next level. 

“The products are beautiful, there is a huge range with world-class designers, and the company’s young and dynamic leadership allows us to bring new products to market within six months,” says de la Haye. “Brunner is innovative with constant investment into better, greener and more efficient manufacturing.”

After two years of success across the wider region, Brunner APAC now has 14 staff set up across offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. And now the appointment of Benjamin Jones — who brings with him 10 years of experience in the architecture and design space — marks an exciting new chapter for the brand, with untold new collaborations and opportunities possible on Australian shores. 

“I’ve learnt from some great interior designers and architects around the world about the psychology and behaviour behind the design that I’m looking forward to bringing into Brunner,” comments Jones. 

The future’s so bright 

Australia has always been on the cards for the Brunner APAC team. Humphreys is originally from Sydney, and de la Haye called the harbour city home for a few years, developing a love for the lifestyle and the design vernacular among its local industry. They saw a space for Brunner’s expansion within the Australian market, where designers and clients alike appreciate the balance of quality and innovation which is central to the Brunner name. 

While this expansion is exciting for the brand, it is also a landmark move for Australian designers, who have been specifying Brunner into projects for some time. In meeting their demand for the brand, the new launch also gives designers unprecedented access to exceptional German engineering in a product suite that includes collaborations with renowned names and firms, including Jehs+Laub, Wolfgang C.R. Mezger and Archirivolto. In addition, local joinery partners ensure faster lead times on projects, combining the best of European design with the convenience of local specification.

Being one of the largest manufacturers of premium contract furniture across Europe, Brunner has developed an extensive portfolio of product collections, with the range to suit multiple typologies. “There is a large diversity in price ranges that start with entry-level seminar furniture, through to executive conferencing solutions, with different products for sectors such as workplace, public spaces, retail and hospitality,” notes Humphreys. Their products also meet increasing standards for sustainability, with green certificates and ESG compatibility meaning the brand works for users and the environment.

Better yet, with such an experienced team, Brunner is poised to work collaboratively on projects to ensure the product selection speaks to the design goals and vision for the space. That same commitment shown in 1977 is still present today, with local BDM Jones poised to bring his expertise to the specification process. 

“I love exploring a space and thinking how there can be balance, flow, and practicality. Walking into a room where the design, shapes and colours are in harmony creates an instant awe feeling — we are drawn and connected to the surroundings which become our habitat,” he says.

Brunner
brunner-group.com

For more information, or to request an appointment, please contact Benjamin Jones – info@brunner-apac.com