Craftsmanship with passion: Rolf Benz

Text by Rolf Benz
Nagold, Germany
25.06.19

Upholstery company ROLF BENZ numbers among the trailblazers of German design culture. Its end-to-end production has been based in the Black Forest since 1964.

Rolf Benz Aura: the sofa range provides maximum flexibility and looks just as much at home in small rooms as it does in large spaces

“The Black Forest is the cradle of top-quality German workmanship.” And the fact that Baden-Württemberg has the highest per capita density of international market leaders adds impressive weight to those words: every few villages, you come across an entrepreneur whose family business is at the leading edge of the global market. And it’s here in the southwest corner of Germany that Rolf Benz AG has its roots too.

Jürgen Mauss

Founded in Nagold in 1964, the internationally known brand produces its upholstered furniture in the immediate vicinity of its head office – and entirely itself: the frames are made in Pfalzgrafenweiler, while warehousing, cutting, stitching, pre-upholstery and upholstery are based in Mötzingen. “Very few providers can boast such comprehensive end-to-end production in Germany,” says CEO Jürgen Mauss with obvious pride.

Rolf Benz occupies a leading position in many respects. Even back in the 1960s, when branding was still a relatively new idea, the company adopted a direct communication strategy with emotional appeal. “That’s why, in Germany, the Rolf Benz brand is considered the epitome of a timelessly elegant informal seating culture that provides discerning people with a way to express their outlook on life,” says Mauss.

Top: Rolf Benz 988: designer Bodo Sperlein sees the solid wood table as a homage to craftsmanship. Above: Werner Aisslinger created a series of elegant yet modern upholstered furniture specially for the 25hours hotel in Zurich

Today, Rolf Benz AG comprises three product segments: luxurious upholstered and living room furniture for sophisticated sofa owners is produced under the Rolf Benz brand. Upholstered furniture for creative, unconventional consumers is sold under the freistil Rolf Benz label, which was launched in 2011. And the Rolf Benz Contract collection provides solutions for public and commercial properties, including the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Berlin, the Business section of the Allianz Arena in Munich, the Festival Hall in Baden-Baden and the 25hours hotel in Zurich.

Rolf Benz AG is a global player and trendsetter that lives and breathes its roots and values. “We love our products and we love craftsmanship. For us, making a sofa all the way from concept to construction is a creative process,” says Jürgen Mauss. The many design awards for Rolf Benz products by prominent designers are only the crowning glory of the company’s success. “We want to anticipate trends and look into the future so that our sofas have what it takes to become something more – icons and classics.”

Top: Rolf Benz 655: the comfortable chair combines fine, rounded lines with exquisite upholstery. Above: freistil 149: Dawid Tomaszewski’s take on the modern wing chair is available as a limited edition