Genetic Manipulation In The 4th Generation

1895. When pictures started moving *)

by Wolfgang G. Külper

Many are certainly amazed that a furniture manufacturer celebrates its 120th

birthday nowadays. For sure it hasn't been easy to establish a upholstery and

mattress factory with little available labor force in Gensingen, Rheinhessen,

during the pre-industrial era. But it was done, especially when the founder -

Johann Bretz - introduced his first upholstered furniture at the furniture fair in

Cologne and it was somehow obvious that Bretz evolved toward the avant-

garde design.

- 1957 -

The 120 years of company's history, however, was not always rosy. Some

setbacks had to be absorbed: 1943 bombs fell on the factory and 1986 was

followed by a bust.

- 1965 -

What is a sofa? And how people live at home? Those were probably the first

questions which the brothers Hartmut and Norbert Bretz asked themselves

when joining the company in 1991. As a result, they created very cheerful

forms, which were not easy to produce as perhaps other oblong sofas of the

competitors. In addition the extreme forms were dressed in bright colors and

pretty brave, generous pattern which primarily appealed well to young and

old alike.

- The Bretz Brothers -

- Production -

- 1998 -

This manipulation by the 4th generation has paid off, because the level of

awareness not only in German-speaking countries is high. The customers know

this kind of seating furniture and pillows are from Bretz, because their models

are not uniformed and come in black and white. Most likely the recognition of

this brand comes also from strikingly ads in the finest lifestyle and furnishing

magazines. No wonder that the company is growing and flourishing.

- 1972 -

- Most famous "Gaudi" -

In the meantime the 5th generation with Carolin Kutzera along with her

design team colleague Meera Rathai are moving up. She has to take over an

important mission: the originality of this quality and comfort brand needs to be

continued, without distorting the genes of ancestors.

- Most Colorful "Ohlinda" -

- The Family -

*) Worldwide for the very first time a cinema-film was shown public in Berlin on

1st November, 1895. This date is also the anniversary of the coming "True

Characters".

www.bretz.com

See an interview in German here!