"High-quality kitchens are clearly in trend!"
Interview with Dietmar and Sebastian Hirn, managing directors of AKP Produktions-GmbH & Co. KG
Together with his son Sebastian, Dietmar Hirn now leads the company that he founded almost 30 years ago. The two managing directors explained in an interview what innovations are currently occupying manufacturers of kitchen countertops and how the coronavirus pandemic has changed consumer demands in the kitchen segment.
Wirtschaftsforum: AKP Produktions-GmbH & Co. KG often encapsulates its corporate goal with the motto 'Your Kitchen. Your Idea' – what exactly is the range of services you offer in the market?
Dietmar Hirn: Fundamentally, we manufacture kitchen countertops and backsplashes, which find their way to end customers through both smaller kitchen studios and large furniture store chains. As a full-range supplier, we produce our products from all common materials – from classic laminate panels to stone materials such as natural stone, quartz, and ceramic, to countertops made of solid wood, glass, and mineral materials like Corian. At the request of the kitchen studios, we also take care of the final installation of each kitchen element at the end customer's location, including electrical and plumbing connections.
Wirtschaftsforum: During the coronavirus pandemic, many people rediscovered their own four walls – has your company also benefited from this?
Sebastian Hirn: Indeed, we have noticed a clear trend towards higher-quality equipment – to put it a bit exaggerated, it almost seemed like the kitchen was about to replace the car as the German's favorite child. In this vein, the average price of a kitchen also increased noticeably, and premium materials such as natural stone and ceramic began to outpace the classic laminate countertops. To sustainably adjust to this shift in demand, two years ago we also invested 16 million EUR in a new stone plant, where we can implement all types of stone processing with state-of-the-art technology. We are also well-equipped for more complex aesthetic and functional requirements: With our digital printing processes, we can easily decorate glass niche backsplashes with attractive designs, while our countertops can now also integrate charging stations for smartphones.
Wirtschaftsforum: In recent years, you also achieved a major technological innovation with the development of a stabilizer for your countertops.
Dietmar Hirn: Our support system AKP Stabilo elegantly solves a common problem, that's why we even patented it: Essentially, it consists of milled aluminum profiles that were specially developed for our application field and are incorporated into corresponding work surfaces to prevent them from bending over a wide cabinet.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you view the future prospects of your company overall?
Sebastian Hirn: With healthy optimism – because there will not be an Asian worktop fabricator who can offer our core services locally and, for example, install stone worktops, in the next 20 years. All our market competitors face the same challenges as we do – thus under fair competitive conditions we have a good chance to remain in the market in the long run.
Wirtschaftsforum: After being founded in 1995, you are still active at AKP nearly 30 years later, Mr. Hirn – what continues to drive you?
Dietmar Hirn: This company is my baby – from the moment I started here with two colleagues up to today, where we are 180 employees strong. Of course, I will not be able to carry on my role in day-to-day operations forever at 68 years old – but I still greatly enjoy interacting with people in our company and advancing new ideas together. At the same time, I am pleased that with my son on the management board, a solid succession plan was possible. Of course, I could have sold the company for a lot of money, but what do I need all that money for? My focus has always been on the people at AKP – and on providing them with a long-term perspective at our company.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you view your role as managing director at the age of 38?
Sebastian Hirn: Of course, I grew up with the company in the background, but initially my involvement was limited to some holiday work. After finishing high school, I first studied a subject that wasn't necessarily related to AKP. 15 years ago, when my father asked me if I could temporarily handle order confirmations after an employee was unavailable, I gradually grew into the company and realized how much I felt at home here and in our hometown of Meiningen. About seven years ago, we then decided together that I would take over the company. Looking back, that was definitely the right decision for me. Because if I imagine someone from outside owning and managing the company today, possibly making decisions to close certain divisions that would utterly oppose our values, it would hurt me deeply. That's at least the emotional aspect. Purely rationally, I must admit that such a step is something you'd consider thrice in light of the massive bureaucratic burdens and fluctuating economic conditions. But I am glad to have taken on this challenge and to continue writing the history of our company together with our team on a strong foundation.