The chair that came “home”
“Over the years, five million of these chairs have been sold. The one in the photo, made in 1971, was amongst the first produced. We found it when we visited Innovation Norway in Bodø,” says Ragnhild Johannesen, Marketing Director for NCP.
They immediately asked if they could bring it back to NCP’s headquarters at Hemnesberget, where it is now proudly displayed along with other models that document the furniture maker’s history. The company’s main products are chairs and tables.
Granted, in 1971 it would still be 18 years before the company, then called Nordic Products, established a furniture factory in Hemnes. But the design by Bendt Winge of Sandnessjøen is unmistakable, and in 1970 it earned him a prestigious award from the Norwegian Design Council.
“When people talk about the history of Norwegian furniture design, they often point to Stressless and Tripp Trapp. The Stressless reclining armchair by Ekornes has sold seven million, while Stokke’s adjustable wooden children’s high-chair Tripp Trapp has sold seven million. We have sold at least five million R-48 chairs,” says Svein-Erik Hjerpbakk, CEO of NCP.
“Our plastic chair became incredibly popular. It’s still in production. The fact that there’s a steady demand after almost half a century says a lot about the R-48’s quality and design,” says Hjerpbakk.
Sales of nok 46 million
Today, NCP has 21 employees at Hemnesberget. Eight handle administrative tasks, sales, marketing and product development, while the other 13 people handle all aspects of production: injection moulding, assembly, and upholstering. In 2016, NCP had sales of nok 46 million.
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Mariann Rølvåg at her sewing machine.[/caption]“Our primary market is domestic, especially Southern Norway. We also have some exports, mainly to Sweden and Denmark, as well as to various other countries,” says Johannessen.
“Plastic is our material of choice – that’s our main area of expertise – but we also make some products in wood.”
Northern Norway’s only furniture producer
The company traces its beginnings back to 1932, when Romo established its factories in Oslo. In fact the “R” in the models, for example R-48, is derived from the Romo name. Nordic Products was established in 1973 and assumed control over Romo’s steel furniture production.
The year 1989 saw a change in ownership and a relocation to Hemnesberget. The new shareholders were Bjerka Næringsbygg, the Municipality of Hemnes, and Hemnes Sparebank. The company was – and still is – Northern Norway’s only furniture manufacturer.
“Hemnes had an acute need for new jobs. The region was suffering in the recession: its ironworks had been closed, a coke plant ceased operation, and a boat producer went bankrupt. The purchase and relocation of Nordic Products was done in the hope of generating new growth,” says Johannesen.
Trademarks and the rights to continue producing existing products were an integral part of the deal, as were the moulds and tools needed to manufacture them.
Anita Falkmo Hanson makes sure the upholstery fits perfectly.
When Hemnes Sparebank faced difficult times and was forced to merge with Sparebanken Rana, conditions were once again ripe for a change in ownership of Nordic Products. Seven employees purchased the company, and in 1995 they changed its name to Nordic Comfort Products (NCP).
“Since then we have made major investments in machinery and equipment. NCP has seen a very positive development,” says Johannessen
[caption id="attachment_8371" align="aligncenter" width="2300"]
Anita Falkmo Hanson makes sure the upholstery fits perfectly.er.[/caption]When Hemnes Sparebank faced difficult times and was forced to merge with Sparebanken Rana, conditions were once again ripe for a change in ownership of Nordic Products. Seven employees purchased the company, and in 1995 they changed its name to Nordic Comfort Products (NCP).
“Since then we have made major investments in machinery and equipment. NCP has seen a very positive development,” says Johannessen
An emphasis on good design
She estimates that 60 percent of their sales are to the public sector, primarily schools. Other customers span many market sectors; for instance, NCP supplies furniture to many offices and conference facilities. They delivered 1250 chairs to Sentralen in Oslo, Norway’s largest, privately-owned cultural institution.
“It is very satisfying that NCP was chosen as a furniture supplier to Sentralen. They wished to highlight Norwegian design,” says Johannessen.
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Daniel Jøsevold is assembling a conference chair.[/caption]NCP has a strong emphasis on design. Its products are often unveiled at the Stockholm Furniture Exhibition, which is held every year in February.
“It’s important to use designers with strong names and good networks. Interior designers and interior architects have a strong say in what constitutes good design, and in their clients’ choices. So when we offer products by designers who have a background and strong contacts in these circles, it’s easier to get our products accepted and close the sales.”
“We are also eager to use young designers who are full of new ideas, whether it be novel forms, innovative technical solutions, or striking colours,” says Hjerpbakk.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
