The East Westphalian furniture manufacturer Sudbrock, based in Rietberg-Bokel (Gütersloh district), has been led by a new duo for over a year. After the passing of her husband Johannes Sudbrock in September 2023, Theres Sudbrock (52) now shares leadership with external manager Anton Flechtner (43). Both leaders reflect positively on their first year together, coinciding with the Möbelmeile trade fair.
'Mr. Flechtner, you took over management at Sudbrock after the passing of co-owner Johannes Sudbrock about a year ago. How were you received?'
Anton Flechtner: 'Very well! That was a pleasant surprise. By now, I know all the employees and feel very comfortable here.'
'As a native of Lower Saxony who worked for a long time in Hesse, how do you find the mentality of the employees here? What characterizes the people of East Westphalia?'
Anton Flechtner: 'The mentality between southern Lower Saxony and East Westphalia isn't that different. We're down-to-earth, and everyone pitches in.'
'Mrs. Sudbrock, how did you experience the transition back then?'
Theres Sudbrock: 'Finding the right person wasn't easy, and the timing was crucial. Both my husband and I felt that Mr. Flechtner could be a good fit. My husband's illness took a toll on us, so I was greatly relieved when, after thorough training, Mr. Flechtner soon started making decisions that had been pending. The family business is very dear to me, and I'm glad it continues in the spirit of Johannes.'
'How did your customers—particularly retailers—and business partners react to the personnel change?'
Theres Sudbrock: 'One customer once said to us: "The transition happened quite smoothly with you. Compliments!" I think that says a lot.'
'Mr. Flechtner, business success depends on attractive products and well-trained, committed employees. Has there been a major change since you took over?'
Anton Flechtner: 'No, there wasn't a major change. When I started, Sudbrock was already in a good position—both in terms of staff and products. I more or less landed in a well-prepared situation. However, these are turbulent times in the furniture industry. Now it's about leading Sudbrock into the future and becoming even better.'
'Mr. Flechtner, how is Sudbrock doing economically in the fall of 2024?'
Anton Flechtner: 'We are a healthy, stable company, and we owe much of that to Johannes Sudbrock. He planned with foresight, and that benefits us now. The order situation is good, and our sales team has successfully placed our products in the market.'
'Mrs. Sudbrock and Mr. Flechtner, the furniture industry is constantly evolving. What innovations have you initiated or implemented? Where do you see room for improvement?'
Anton Flechtner: 'The innovations we're presenting today in product development have been in the pipeline for a long time. Our processes are set up for the long term. Right now, we're working on offering better service to retailers, who are our customers. This includes faster delivery times and more support for advisors in retail.'
Theres Sudbrock: 'In terms of our operations, we've already made significant improvements over the past few months.'
'Will AI make the furniture itself better?'
Anton Flechtner: 'The furniture itself won't improve, but AI will allow our employees to spend more time advising customers. Consulting and planning are crucial for us because our furniture is based on a system that allows customers to customize their pieces. They need someone to guide them through that. It's vital that this works well.'
'In recent years, the prices for raw materials, energy, and labour have risen. How challenging is this?'
Anton Flechtner: 'During the pandemic, material and energy costs rose sharply. Although the steep price increase has slowed, we're still operating at a high price level.'
Theres Sudbrock: 'Our labour costs are rising as well, but we still want to keep our furniture prices attractive for consumers. It's a balancing act. Our goal is to offer a reasonable price-to-performance ratio.'
'Sudbrock has long adhered to the slogan "From Tree to Furniture" and the commitment to provide cabinetmaker-quality products. Will that continue, given the price pressures in the industry?'
Theres Sudbrock: 'Absolutely! Our motto is, if it looks like wood, it's real wood. It's an advantage that we select the trees ourselves and decide how to use the wood. For instance, we even make back panels and drawer sides from our tree trunks. That's only possible with modern machinery and the expertise of our employees. We combine traditional woodworking craftsmanship with the capabilities of an industrial system furniture manufacturer. That's our niche.'
'How would you summarize Sudbrock's recipe for success?'
Theres Sudbrock: 'A smart, constantly improving product that is understated but highly functional. Our philosophy is to be diverse, and therefore independent. We're highly agile with our deep level of production right here in Bokel, which allows us to make all the decisions. And we only produce on demand, which contributes greatly to sustainability.'
'A widespread problem in Germany is the shortage of skilled workers. It's also becoming difficult to find apprentices. How much is Sudbrock affected?'
Anton Flechtner: 'I think we have a significant advantage because we offer our apprentices so much—certainly more than a traditional carpentry workshop can. We don't buy ready-made parts. We produce everything ourselves. Apprentices can learn everything from wood preparation to operating CNC machines, to painting and assembling furniture. That makes our training highly attractive.'
Theres Sudbrock: 'Every year, we take on three apprentices. This year, we have two aspiring carpenters and one future painter (the correct term is "process mechanic for coating technology").'
'Let's talk about the furniture itself: What can retailers and consumers look forward to?'
Theres Sudbrock: 'At our in-house exhibition, we'll showcase various interior design examples: furniture in soft pastel tones, furniture with sophisticated surface textures on our sideboards, lowboards, and shelves. We'll also present a design entirely made of oak, but very delicate and beautifully minimalist. Oak remains popular. Metallic surfaces are also trending. We achieve this look with lacquer containing metal particles, and by adding glass layers, we create a wonderful depth in the furniture. In short, we offer furniture for every style—a playground for interior designers.'
'And there's another open house in 2024.'
Theres Sudbrock: 'Yes, on Sunday, September 29th, we'll host an open house. Everyone, big and small, is warmly invited to visit our exhibition space. It's always a big event in the area.'
More information:
Sudbrock GmbH Möbelhandwerk
[email protected]
www.sudbrock.de