PROJECTS

No endless trial and error for Oranjemeubel

Oranjewoud/Neede (The Netherlands) -
Oranjemeubel based in the Frisian Oranjewoud focuses on innovations in furniture on the European school market. Driven by style the company successfully searches producers and distributors for her designs. The first distributor is German company Kvartet and the Clix program also receives a lot of interest in and outside Europe.

Active sitting, simple assembly

Bart Bluemink is one of the architects of the Clix design. He says: "School furniture is often old fashioned and traditional. You see many wooden chairs and also the seat comfort is not suitable for today's kids behaviour. Kids nowadays sit ‘actively' and move about. As a base we developed a plastic seat shell with many special features. The back of the chair and the seat are one part and the seat has a very slim line, available in cheerful bright colours. The concept has an easy click system. With this the seat can be clicked on the frame with one simple action (f.e. a frame of a sledge, a cross frame, a four foot frame or even a bar stool).
This offers many options for schools, but also has logistical advantages and at a later stage replacement of separate parts can be done easily, a great feature."

Trial and error

A very important aspect of moulding the seats would be the sturdiness and stiffness, according to Bluemink. A reason not to look in China first, but simply, by taking the sketches along, walking into the stand of Timmerije at the plastic exhibition in Veldhoven, The Netherlands. Bluemink: "I was looking for a partner with knowledge and the guts to try new techniques.
Neither pioneering nor endless trial and error was what I was looking for or had the time for. Additionally: it ‘clicked' instantly for Clix with Timmerije."

Gas injection

Rogier van de Meerendonk: "From the beginning gas injection seemed the best approach, a.o. taking into account the weight and strength. However it took some test runs before we found the right mixture: a few extra ribs for sturdiness on the inside and a good mixture of glas fyber polyprop together with the desired colours. Next to this the foreseen active, ergonomical features of the seats had to stay intact, because that is the core of Clix."

Success in sales

On the Didacta, the leading European school exhibition in Cologne, Clix has been successfully introduced on the market. "Quantities I will not mention, but we are very pleased with the results so far. Also, next to Kvartet many other companies have shown their interest. The whole concept, the look of ‘Scandinavian' design, the easy assembly appeals to the target group.
Therefore we look into the future with confidence, as there are many other suitable markets for Clix; such as hotels, churches, conference halls, theatres.
Finally about the cooperation with Timmerije: I am absolutely happy about it, what I had hoped for, they fulfilled."