Netherlands work Bene
and continues its European expansionOne more white gap less on the Bene map of Europe: the Austrian experts for the office world are pursuing their European expansion strategy with a new distribution network in the Netherlands.
Westra, whose headquarters are centrally located in Wilp, will take over the distribution and support role for all the Bene products which are to be offered to design-conscious Dutch customers via five dealers. This means that Bene is now represented with a branch of its own in a total of 14 European countries.
The office at Wilp will also be responsible for looking after the Belgian market; Bene products and services are at present offered by the one dealer working there. The goal is to expand the distribution network from six to eight dealers in the financial year 2002/2003.
Cult-like showroom in an old factory
The centre of activities in the Netherlands is an abandoned factory in Wilp, which Bene has now revived to new life.
The building, which had stood empty for a long time, became a sort of 'place of pilgrimage' for architects and designers from all over the country. "The old ice factory of the 19th century, with the extravagant showroom in which our products and services are presented, ideally reflects our competency and philosophy in office furnishing", say manager Thomas Bene enthusiastically. "And it fits the wishes, interests and expectations of the customer groups which we are seeking to address with our Dutch commitment". In this country of progressive liberal attitudes it is necessary to communicate in comparatively unconventional ways. The old factory is therefore an ideal location and a perfect image focus for Bene.
High degree of awareness of design and quality
In the Netherlands, Bene is focusing on customers who are aware of quality and design and is seeking to achieve success with its products, above all with the CompactOffice concept. The innovative office space concept makes it possible to find flexible, holistic solutions for the constantly changing office world. The individual design of modern office worlds using Bene's CompactOffice makes company culture a spatial experience.
The newly founded Westra Etc. BV owned by office furniture expert Timo Westra
The Dutch co-operation partner Westra Etc. BV was specially established for the collaboration and is 100 per cent owned by the Dutchman Timo Westra, with whom Bene has been in frequent contact for several years now and who has repeatedly co-operated on various projects. Before founding this company Timo Westra was an employee of the Dutch office furniture manufacturers Kembo.
Bene – a European company
As experts for the world of the office, Bene makes work, communication and life in the office both simple and successful. The service division Bene Services is in charge of the development, planning and management of office buildings, Bene Solutions develops, designs and produces modern concepts and products for office spaces. With a network of business outlets all over Europe – the Bene Sales Net – the company is also able to offer its customers regional access to Bene services.
The manufacturing and administrative headquarters of the family-owned Austrian company (originally founded in 1790) is in Waidhofen an der Ybbs / Lower Austria. In 1998 the biggest German office furniture company Objektform was integrated into the Bene Group. The Bene Group had a turnover of 216 mill. EUR in the financial year 2001/02 and at present employs some 1,300 people.
