For our product catalogue “People and Furniture 2010/2011”, some of the more than 350 Brunner employees had their picture taken together with their favorite model. We asked seven of them and found out who is the person behind the picture, just why they chose their respective model and what moves them to dedicate their commitment to the Brunner company. Day after day, some of them already for decades.

Brigitte Weber with milanoflair
Brigitte Weber works in the technology department, and her favorite chair is milanoflair: “I would put that one in my home right away!” What she likes about it is the delicacy, she loves the clear lines and especially the light mesh fabric. Brigitte Weber has been with Brunner for 27 years. “So I have been a live witness to a big part of the success story”, she says. “I’m impressed by the way the company has developed. Here, many little wheels interlock – that’s fun to see and it also makes me proud.” Asked about what makes Brunner so special for her, she doesn’t have to think long: “At Brunner, there’s never a moment when we’re not moving on!”

Remy Zwinger with milanoclassic
With Brunner for 21 years, for the past 10 years in model construction: Remy Zwinger is right there when new models get developed because he also works on the prototypes. “That’s characteristic for Brunner, and that makes my job so exciting: We have a lot of innovation, many new models – and also a lot of special editions for our customers.” It is important for him that every customer gets what he wants. And his personal favorite chair? “milanoclassic, that’s the basic chair for the entire milano family.” What he likes is the design principle, which also comprises the variety of the product family and the different versions within the milano series.

Diana Schreiber with salsa
Since December 2009, Diana Schreiber is at the Brunner reception desk. Her favorite chair is salsa: “salsa is sober, flexible – and elegant at the same time. Since I’m an outdoors type of person, the weatherproof salsa is perfect for me. And black and white are my favorite colors anyhow.” The independent work at Brunner is just her thing: being in contact with customers, retailers, designers and architects is lots of fun for her. “Brunner is a great, innovative company.” And the products are important for her as well: “You’ve got to be convinced of the products you offer. Only then can you give your heart and soul for the job.”

Claas Ratjen with prime
Claas Ratjen has been working in the Brunner technology team since August 2010. In this function he takes part in the development of all new products and he also looks after the further development of existing models. “The more you deal with individual models, the more you discover their advantages. And the more difficult it gets to point out your favorite chair”, he says. For our photo, Claas Ratjen decided on prime, since prime, according to him, is typical for Brunner: “Sober design, progressive technology, and very comfortable at the same time.” The company itself impressed him right from the start, especially the two generations of Managing Directors. “The tradition of the founders plus the new start into new generation – this combination is very exciting. And surely it’s an important factor for success.” The high degree of identification with the products also contributes to the fact that Claas Ratjen likes working in the company so much. “… for we don’t produce just parts, we manufacture a complete product. It really is a good feeling when you can finally sit down on the chair that you have wrought.”

Gisela Krauth with too 2.0
She’s been with the company since 1980, so nearly from the very beginning: Gisela Krauth. These days, she’s working in the upholstery department where she is responsible for planning and controlling – and she takes care that everything gets finished at the right time. Her explanation about her favorite chair too 2.0 is short and succinct: “It gives good seating comfort, and I like the airy mesh net back.”
She emphasizes how impressed she is about the many things that get developed at Brunner in a relatively short time. And about the fact that the success of the company is closely linked with the energy of the founder: “Rolf Brunner always has new ideas, there is never a standstill. Thanks to this drive, Brunner as a company has been so successful.” And because she has been with Brunner for such a long time, she has witnessed all the models created during this time. Her personal milestone: the model golf with upholstered seat and back and with armrests – at the time, this was the first model that sold in the thousands. 

Marco Zoller with fina
Marco Zoller has been responsible for Purchasing at Brunner since 2004, his task is the timely sourcing of wooden parts like shells, frames or armrests. Organizing, negotiating and contacting is his daily business – and even if his interlocutors only deliver individual parts: “With most of the vendors we’ve been working together for so long that they know our complete product portfolio.” Marco Zoller’s favorite chair is fina, he is fascinated most of all by the graceful yet sturdy molded wooden shell, which even in the comfortable fully upholstered version still looks very light. And what’s so special about the Brunner company according to him? “We’re very customer-oriented because we’re so flexible. And at the same time we’re very reliable when it comes to delivery deadlines – and I can do my part for this every day.”

Wendelin Himmelsbach with verona
Wendelin Himmelsbach, Head of Production and Facility Manager, has been with Brunner for 20 years. Currently, his favorite model is verona, because to him, this chair is particularly contemporary: with super design and a clear outline. And: “The tight curve of the molded wooden shell, this particularly small radius in the back – nobody knows how to do this but us!” He likes that the company is family-owned because “that means short distances and that in turn means quick decisions. This is reflected in the many things that happen: in the design department, and how we adapt ourselves to the market situation.” When asked which of his tasks is the most fun to him, he laughs and says: “I’m responsible for everything around here, and that never gets boring, not for a single day in all these years.”