Interview & Homestory mit Normann Copenhagen CEO Poul Madsen

Oh je, ich bekenne mich schuldig im Sinne der Anklage. Denn mit Schrecken musste ich bei meiner Verlosung mit Normann Copenhagen feststellen, dass ich mein Interview mit Normann Copenhagen CEO Poul Madsen nie zu Papier bzw. zu Blog gebracht habe. Denn bereits vor gut einem Jahr habe ich Poul auf einer Inspirationsreise nach Kopenhagen zum exklusiven Interview getroffen und seither schlummern die Antworten des sympathischen CEOs in meinem Entwurfsordner. 

Heute möchte ich die Gelegenheit endlich nutzen und euch das Resultat meines Treffens mit einem äußerst bodenständigen und aufgeschlossenen Poul Madsen im Kopenhagener Normann Copenhagen Flagship Store präsentieren. Und bevor es noch spannender wird, wünsche ich euch viel Freude mit Normann Copenhagen CEO Poul Madsen, der sich jede Menge Zeit für all meine Fragen nahm und obendrein sogar noch mit einigen Bildern bereitwillig einen Einblick in seine privaten vier Wände gewährt.

Interview & Homestory mit Normann Copenhagen CEO Poul Madsen

„Normann Copenhagen was founded in 1999 by Jan Andersen and yourself. After only three years the first success came. Can you tell me a bit more about Normann Copenhagen and the passionate people behind the successful brand?“

„Sure I`ld love to. It all started with the fact that I imported glassware from Poland. In 1999 I decided together with my good friend Jan Andersen to expand the range and offer a mix of imported products and own designs.

The first product of an external designer was at that time the Norm 69 lamp which some time later should be a turning point for Normann Copenhagen. From this moment on we have only worked with external designers and distributed our own designs. In the beginning it were only 7 to 8 products. Today of course there is much more.

Since 3 to 4 years we also produce furniture and that is very successful as can be seen in the „Form“ series by Simon Legald.“

„You just mentioned it. Normann Copenhagen’s first great success was the Norm 69 lamp. Is it still one of your bestsellers?“

„Oh yes, the Norm 69 still sells fantastic. It is always fascinating to see where our designs are represented. I love to run through our neighborhood and am always happy to see the Norm 69 lamp enlighten the living rooms in the evening.“

„Why is Normann Copenhagen so successful in your opinion? What is your recipe for succes?“

„We have a fantastic team here, great products and were in the right place with our designs at the right time. We believe in our products and the passionate people behind Normann Copenhagen. At the moment our team consists of 70 employees and it feels like family.“

„Your offices and the beautiful flagship store are located in Copenhagen. Where do you produce your products?“

„For us it was perfectly clear that our location for the office and the flagship store would be no other place than Copenhagen. This is precisely where our roots lie. However we mainly produce our furniture in Poland and other parts of Europe. Smaller products are produced in China.“

„How strong are you as an CEO involved in the design process at Normann Copenhagen?“

„I like to leave the design process to our external designers. My part is to finalize the design with the designers, give the final go on a design and to calculate the price point.“

„Many of my favorite designers are from Denmark. Why do you think Denmark is boosting so many successful designers?“

„I think that we benefit greatly from our history. The success story of Danish design already began in the 1950s with designers such as Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen. They laid the foundations for the Danish design to this day. But one can also say that the Danes all think and feel very similar. If a product is good everybody wants it. So you can sell very well just by selling a product in Denmark because design is incredibly important for the Danes. It is part of our tradition.“

„What is your favorite Normann Copenhagen product?“

„Ui, this is a terribly difficult question. If I had to decide for one thing at the moment it would probably be the Form Chair. But we also owe much to the Norm 69 lamp and the Krenit bowl. But basically every product is important and part of the whole. “

„Can you tell me what your home looks like?“

„My home is rather minimalist. I collect art and therefore it looks more like a gallery. My sofa is certainly ten years old and I recently replaced my dining table with a slice table by Normann Copenhagen after eight years. Now that I say so I think it’s time for a new sofa.“

„Thank you so much for the interview, Poul!“

Wirklich verrückt, wie die Zeit vergeht – in nur vier Tagen ist Weihnachten. Und bevor ich mich über die Feiertage in eine klitzekleine Blogpause begebe, gibt es am Donnerstag noch mal ein überaus leckeres Rezept für euch. Schaut unbedingt vorbei!

Voller Vorfreude,

Eure Sarah

Fotos: von Poul Madsen zur Verfügung gestellt