Circularity in practice
– quality and longevity
It is easy to promise high quality, but how do our chairs perform in real life? We visited customers with task chairs that have been in use for over 20 years to see how they have stood the test of time.
Domofrance, France
Chair model 8241 | Used for 22 years
When Domofrance set out to choose new task chairs in the early 2000s, three manufacturers were compared. After employees had tested different models, the choice fell on Kinnarps for its comfort, design and ergonomics.
“It was our colleagues who voted for the chair. Three models were tested, but the Kinnarps chair quickly became the favourite”, says Robert Barlier, Head of Work Environment & Real Estate at Domofrance.
The chair has accompanied him every working day for 22 years, through several office moves and reorganisations. Its overall condition remains excellent, something Robert attributes to the product quality as well as the ease of replacing individual parts.
“We have replaced the armrests once, but otherwise it has not required any intervention. The quality, materials and timeless design have kept the chair feeling modern even today”, he says.
Domofrance has a strong focus on sustainability. For Robert, this means that quality and longevity are always the most important criteria when choosing furniture.
“If we were to choose a partner today, sustainability would be the most important criterion, and Kinnarps would be part of our selection. I am very pleased that the chair has now been refurbished to last for many more years!”
Before/After. Seat, back, armrests, headrest and starbase have been replaced.
EOS Nordic AB, Sweden
Chair model 8000 | Used for 28 years
When Mikael Sohlberg first sat down in his Kinnarps task chair in 1997, a long journey began. The chair would follow him through almost three decades and several different workplaces, all the way to his current home office.
Despite many years of frequent use, all functions are still intact. The fabric is worn in places and the mechanism needs adjustment, but overall the chair remains in very good condition. It has also never required servicing, something Mikael believes speaks volumes about its quality:
“28 years! It’s fascinating that everything still works”, he says.
As an update, the chair received new upholstery, new castors and a full service check of the mechanism. The result is a chair with a more modern expression that can continue to provide good ergonomics for many years to come.
“Continuing to use products that are already made is the most sustainable thing we can do. This chair has certainly lived longer than expected!”, Mikael concludes.
Before/After. New upholstery on seat and back, new castors, mechanism servicing, cleaning.
Pension for selvstændige, Denmark
Chair model 8000 | Used for 25 years
In the early 2000s, when Peter Beck-Bang walked past the Kinnarps showroom in Copenhagen, a task chair upholstered in black leather immediately caught his attention. He stepped inside to try it out.
“I instantly fell in love with the comfort and the ability to adjust it perfectly to my needs”, Peter recalls.
When we meet him 25 years later, he is grateful to himself for deciding to take the chair home. It has followed him through five workplaces and into his home office, where his children have also used it for writing essays and doing homework.
“I’ve been so pleased with it that I’ve recommended Kinnarps chairs to four or five different workplaces where I’ve had influence over the furniture choices, and that is what we’ve bought every time”, Peter says.
Despite intensive use, the chair is still in excellent condition without any servicing or repairs. Today, it stands in the Kinnarps showroom in Brøndby, where it is displayed as a living testament to the quality of Kinnarps furniture. Peter himself has now invested in a new task chair from Kinnarps.
Despite intensive use, the chair remains in excellent condition, and no update was needed.
KG Knutsson AB, Sweden
Chair model 6000 | Used for 25 years
For more than two decades, this chair has rolled between the desks at KG Knutsson AB. First as a loyal work companion to Safety Coordinator Thomas Hansson, and later as an extra chair in the office.
During its first 15 years, the chair was used daily by Thomas. He is surprised that it has lasted so well, but also believes it is no coincidence:
“We have used Kinnarps chairs for many years, and they have always been very good. Kinnarps was the obvious choice when we bought this chair, and it will be just as obvious the next time we need more!”, he says.
The chair was used intensively until three years ago, when one of the castors broke. It has now been refurbished to give it a new life in the workplace.
“The chair has performed beyond expectations all these years. It was fun to see it again, in new clothes so to speak!”, Thomas concludes.
Before/After. Replacement of upholstery, gas spring, headrest, sleeve and castors. Mechanism servicing and cleaning of plastic parts.
Scania Hungaria, Hungary
Chair model 8000 | Used for 26 years
When Laszlo Küzdy started as Head of Real Estate at Scania Hungária in Budapest in 2008, a Kinnarps task chair was waiting for him. It would become a faithful companion for 16 years and across several roles within the company.
The chair, a model from the 6000/8000 series, had originally been purchased in 1998 when Scania’s Hungarian headquarters were built. Before reaching Laszlo’s office, it had already been used for ten years, something he says was impossible to detect:
“I have sat in the same chair for 16 years without needing to do anything to it. No servicing, no repairs, just sit down and work. The comfort has been the same the whole time!”, Laszlo explains.
When the offices were refurbished in 2024, everyone received new furniture, and Laszlo’s chair was kept as a spare. After 26 years it is still fully functional, but ready for an update and new armrests to last just as long again.
“It is a chair that has proven its value over time. Even though it cost a little more than other alternatives in the beginning, it has turned out to be a very inexpensive and environmentally friendly solution over its lifespan”, says Laszlo.
Before/After. Replacement of seat, back, gas spring, knob for adjustable tilting resistance and addition of armrests.
-
UK
Change