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Two fields of business, one family

Anyone in Krefeld and the surrounding area looking for stationery, writing implements, a school satchel or handicraft supplies will immediately think of two names: lechner + hayn. That company also has fountain pens and biros bearing the exclusive Montblanc trademark, and a broad selection of gift items. This stationery shop on Rheinstrasse is an institution in its own right. Located in a prime position in the town centre, in the shadow of the St. Dionysius church, this business enjoys both long-standing clients and walk-in customers. The shop windows feature a number of eye-catching products that change regularly and encourage passers-by first to window-shop and then come in and browse. This tradition-based company also offers premium-quality office furniture and holistic advice on lighting, acoustics and ergonomic work methods.

The company's heritage: the high-street shop on Rheinstrasse has existed since the 1950s, and the name lechner + hayn has existed for no less than 100 years. The company was originally founded as a cardboard box manufacturer. In 1927, Karl Gerlings joined the company, followed soon after by his daughter, Barbara, and her husband, Axel Teuwen. The brother-and-sister team of Sandra Lemke and Arne Teuwen are now continuing the tradition in the third generation.

While Sandra Lemke manages the high-street shop, her brother is Managing Director of lechner + hayn office equipment, the family's second line of business. In their modern, glass-fronted building covering 1600 square metres, he and his sales team show customers contemporary, functional, comfortable seating, equipment and installations for reception and waiting areas, executive offices, open spaces, conference, seminar and training facilities and call centres. In providing these items, lechner + hayn cooperate with leading manufacturers in this field: USM Haller, Vitra, König + Neurath, Haworth, and Züco are just some of the prestigious names. Adjacent to the spacious showroom there is the administration area, goods inwards and outgoing goods sections on Nauenweg, where around 23 staff are employed (a further 15 on Rheinstrasse).

And yet, sale of premium products at B2B level is only part of the company's successful business model. The office supplies company from Krefeld are equally well-known for their comprehensive advice and guidance. "For our customers we have an interior designer, carpenters and acoustics specialist on hand", explains the owner. A further key aspect is ergonomics in the workplace, which may, for example, involve installing a stand-up desk. Lighting & colour concepts? Green vegetation? The experts in each field will give their advice. "Thanks to our broad range of expertise, we can become involved at every stage of the process and generate the ideal work surroundings. This is why we hardly have any competitors."

The company's customers include multinational enterprises throughout Europe and the world. And at the other end of the scale, lechner + hayn also supply small and medium-sized enterprises. Lawyers, tax advisers and doctors all select their ideal seating, desks and filing systems here, either online or in the showroom. The figures speak for themselves: "We have managed almost to double our ten-year sales volume", enthuses the Managing Director.

Sandra Lemke looks to the future with the same enthusiasm as her brother. The high-street stationery shop was completely refurbished only a few months ago, which involved reviewing the entire lighting concept. "This investment demonstrates our commitment to the town centre of Krefeld in particular, and retail business outlets in general", confirms Lemke. One of the highlights this year will be lechner + hayn's "satchel fair". They will be presenting around 500 school bags from well-known makers and, as one would expect, school kids of all ages (and older students as well) will be able to try them out. This occasion underlines the close cooperation between the brother and sister and their respective locations:  Sandra Lemke organises the fair, and it takes place in the Nauenweg premises. Both the sister and her brother are committed to their home town: "Krefeld is not just a village, but neither is it a large city, it is just the right size", Sandra Lemke feels. "Despite that, we are part of a larger conurbation with all the opportunities that offers", Arne Teuwen adds.

lechner + hayn - office equipment
Nauenweg 32
47805 Krefeld

Phone: +49 2151 60774-0  

www.die-bueroeinrichter.de
info@lechner-hayn.de

As of 2016