As prosperity increased over the years, so too did the demand for high-quality, comfortable furniture for the home. And thus, in 1952, a former textiles processor in Ertingen in Swabia/Germany started producing upholstered furniture, sofa beds and mattresses.
The name of this new manufacturing company: ERPO – a combination of “Ertingen” and the company's activity, “Polstermöbel” (upholstered furniture). An almost prophetic decision. Because to this day, in these times when the internationalisation of markets is still increasing, the company has remained true to itself and its original production location.
And so ERPO also always means the promise of quality of “Made in Germany”. Furthermore, contemporary furniture design has accompanied the development of our exclusive upholstered furniture for more than 60 years, and will continue to do so, today and in the future
Markets are dynamic, and undergoing constant change. If a company is able to hold its own despite constantly changing framework conditions, this is evidence of its flexibility and adaptability. As is the case with ERPO.
The furniture market reached saturation point at the beginning of the 1960s. This increased the requirements for marketing, which set its sights both at retailers and consumers.
Sales manuals were introduced, as were stepped fabric and leather sample books that were marked with the name of the respective retail partner. The ERPO logo was modernised, and linked consistently with the slogan “Sitzkomfort” – “seating comfort”.
During the 1970s and 1980s, more and more low-priced providers swamped the market. Reason enough to put the focus on the exclusiveness of the company's products. The key instrument was a presentation with around 300 photos (slides) that clearly illustrated the quality of manufacture and materials. These pictures enabled ERPO to make the invisible visible, once the elaborate construction of the furniture bodies and frames had been graphically edited for the eye.
The brochure “Erpo Polstermöbel – ein Buch mit 7 Qualitäts-Siegeln” (“Erpo Upholstered Furniture – an Open Book”) served the same purpose of guiding the observer's eye further into the depth of the products.
In addition, the manufacture of the cover materials “Made in Germany” is visualised just as much as the careful work carried out in the sewing and upholstery workshops. The strategic aim was to allow the senses to perceive the quality and durability of ERPO products.
A look at the catalogues of the 1980s reveals product names that seem very strange today. Here is “Model 4832” next to “Model 765” or “Model 2025” – names that leave little room for products to develop their own personalities.
It was an important step to give “Model 1420” a name, one that encouraged the association with southern flair: Lugano. This created the germ cell for a naming system that is a key feature of the “collection” series today, and facilitates a strong differentiation between the products.
Yet the product description also (still) continues to use rather more sober terminology: “High-backed armchair with functions. Seat, back and headrest adjust to a reclining position. Casually upholstered with intentional creasing. Cold foam with a strong Dacron-fibrefill topping. Seat with rubber elastic belt suspension. Matching stool.”
The mid-1980s saw strong economic downturns, the result of which was the company's acquisition by the international furniture manufacturer “Ekornes” in 1985.
The brand “Ekornes Erpo” combined the Swabian manufacturer's designs with those of the Norwegian company – two lines with different product philosophies. They faced each other with understandably conflicting viewpoints, and it was also impossible to achieve harmony in their public image.
However, something that was positive at this time was that the acquisition by the Norwegian group brought with it the international introduction of the brand name ERPO. This created a link once the company had been released again from the overall construct in 1990.
The recovery of its independence was followed by concentrating on the company's roots. The logo was redesigned, and the two parts of the name given different colours to distinguish them from each other. This puts the focus more clearly on the production location of Ertingen.
Other decisions were also introduced. The creation of the two product lines “Classics” and “Das Prinzip der Bequemlichkeit®” (“The Principle of comfort”, today: “collection”) facilitated the optimum positioning of all products. The introduction of the modular system resulted in the rationalisation of production.
After growth and the resulting production bottleneck, in 1998 ERPO decided to purchase the Dreipunkt company of Donzdorf. The space that became available in Donzdorf was later turned into a spacious showroom.
This new era coincided with a strong new beginning. The new look and new slogan of “Sitz.Kultur.” illustrated the exclusiveness of the products far more than had previously been the case. The central “hook” is the “ERPO.Effekt”. A new studio concept increases product appeal at the point of sale.
As if to confirm the chosen route, the market's internal study on dealer satisfaction was published in 2010. For the third time, after 2006 and 2008, ERPO came first overall. Commitment and promise for the next 60 years.
Erpo develops new collections and wins the "Interior Innovation Awards 2012" with the single armchair 142. The strictly cubic armchair, which always returns to its starting position by itself by means of an invisible turntable, convinced the German Design Council.
Erpo also gains a new cooperation partner this year: de ploeg, a manufacturer of fine upholstery fabrics. A promise of wonderful new covers. 2013 sees the launch of the "avantgarde" collection - and Erpo's first trade fairs in Moscow and Salzburg. At "Rooms Moscow" and "küchenwohntrends Salzburg", enthusiastic visitors drop into incredibly comfortable upholstered furniture.
In 2014, buying Erpo furniture will be as convenient as sitting in it. With the online configurator, all furniture can be easily designed down to the last detail from home and ordered via the shopping basket. In the 2014 markt intern study on retailer satisfaction, Erpo took 1st place - for the fifth time, and then for the sixth time in 2017.
A showroom is opened exclusively for the Benelux countries in the Netherlands: 500 sqm in the "de woonindustrie" complex near Utrecht, a centre for innovative interiors. The exhibition is open to end customers and trade partners; for trade visitors, an EXPO expert will be on site by appointment.
The Erpo Motion collection is launched: luxurious Relax Armchairs that can be adjusted manually or by electric motor, allowing deep relaxation in any sitting or reclining position.
Exciting, on the other hand: the awards. The CL 990 sofa from the CLASSICS series will receive the German Design Award in the "Furniture" category in 2019. And the company Erpo itself even receives the German Brand Award 2019. A traditional company that has focused on quality and comfort since its founding in 1952 is chosen as one of the most innovative brands in the country. We are proud.
As prosperity increased over the years, so too did the demand for high-quality, comfortable furniture for the home. And thus, in 1952, a former textiles processor in Ertingen in Swabia/Germany started producing upholstered furniture, sofa beds and mattresses.
The name of this new manufacturing company: ERPO – a combination of “Ertingen” and the company's activity, “Polstermöbel” (upholstered furniture). An almost prophetic decision. Because to this day, in these times when the internationalisation of markets is still increasing, the company has remained true to itself and its original production location.
And so ERPO also always means the promise of quality of “Made in Germany”. Furthermore, contemporary furniture design has accompanied the development of our exclusive upholstered furniture for more than 60 years, and will continue to do so, today and in the future
During the 1970s and 1980s, more and more low-priced providers swamped the market. Reason enough to put the focus on the exclusiveness of the company's products. The key instrument was a presentation with around 300 photos (slides) that clearly illustrated the quality of manufacture and materials. These pictures enabled ERPO to make the invisible visible, once the elaborate construction of the furniture bodies and frames had been graphically edited for the eye.
The brochure “Erpo Polstermöbel – ein Buch mit 7 Qualitäts-Siegeln” (“Erpo Upholstered Furniture – an Open Book”) served the same purpose of guiding the observer's eye further into the depth of the products.
In addition, the manufacture of the cover materials “Made in Germany” is visualised just as much as the careful work carried out in the sewing and upholstery workshops. The strategic aim was to allow the senses to perceive the quality and durability of ERPO products.
The mid-1980s saw strong economic downturns, the result of which was the company's acquisition by the international furniture manufacturer “Ekornes” in 1985.
The brand “Ekornes Erpo” combined the Swabian manufacturer's designs with those of the Norwegian company – two lines with different product philosophies. They faced each other with understandably conflicting viewpoints, and it was also impossible to achieve harmony in their public image.
However, something that was positive at this time was that the acquisition by the Norwegian group brought with it the international introduction of the brand name ERPO. This created a link once the company had been released again from the overall construct in 1990.
This new era coincided with a strong new beginning. The new look and new slogan of “Sitz.Kultur.” illustrated the exclusiveness of the products far more than had previously been the case. The central “hook” is the “ERPO.Effekt”. A new studio concept increases product appeal at the point of sale.
As if to confirm the chosen route, the market's internal study on dealer satisfaction was published in 2010. For the third time, after 2006 and 2008, ERPO came first overall. Commitment and promise for the next 60 years.
In 2014, buying Erpo furniture will be as convenient as sitting in it. With the online configurator, all furniture can be easily designed down to the last detail from home and ordered via the shopping basket. In the 2014 markt intern study on retailer satisfaction, Erpo took 1st place - for the fifth time, and then for the sixth time in 2017.
A showroom is opened exclusively for the Benelux countries in the Netherlands: 500 sqm in the "de woonindustrie" complex near Utrecht, a centre for innovative interiors. The exhibition is open to end customers and trade partners; for trade visitors, an EXPO expert will be on site by appointment.
Markets are dynamic, and undergoing constant change. If a company is able to hold its own despite constantly changing framework conditions, this is evidence of its flexibility and adaptability. As is the case with ERPO.
The furniture market reached saturation point at the beginning of the 1960s. This increased the requirements for marketing, which set its sights both at retailers and consumers.
Sales manuals were introduced, as were stepped fabric and leather sample books that were marked with the name of the respective retail partner. The ERPO logo was modernised, and linked consistently with the slogan “Sitzkomfort” – “seating comfort”.
A look at the catalogues of the 1980s reveals product names that seem very strange today. Here is “Model 4832” next to “Model 765” or “Model 2025” – names that leave little room for products to develop their own personalities.
It was an important step to give “Model 1420” a name, one that encouraged the association with southern flair: Lugano. This created the germ cell for a naming system that is a key feature of the “collection” series today, and facilitates a strong differentiation between the products.
Yet the product description also (still) continues to use rather more sober terminology: “High-backed armchair with functions. Seat, back and headrest adjust to a reclining position. Casually upholstered with intentional creasing. Cold foam with a strong Dacron-fibrefill topping. Seat with rubber elastic belt suspension. Matching stool.”
The recovery of its independence was followed by concentrating on the company's roots. The logo was redesigned, and the two parts of the name given different colours to distinguish them from each other. This puts the focus more clearly on the production location of Ertingen.
Other decisions were also introduced. The creation of the two product lines “Classics” and “Das Prinzip der Bequemlichkeit®” (“The Principle of comfort”, today: “collection”) facilitated the optimum positioning of all products. The introduction of the modular system resulted in the rationalisation of production.
After growth and the resulting production bottleneck, in 1998 ERPO decided to purchase the Dreipunkt company of Donzdorf. The space that became available in Donzdorf was later turned into a spacious showroom.
Erpo develops new collections and wins the "Interior Innovation Awards 2012" with the single armchair 142. The strictly cubic armchair, which always returns to its starting position by itself by means of an invisible turntable, convinced the German Design Council.
Erpo also gains a new cooperation partner this year: de ploeg, a manufacturer of fine upholstery fabrics. A promise of wonderful new covers. 2013 sees the launch of the "avantgarde" collection - and Erpo's first trade fairs in Moscow and Salzburg. At "Rooms Moscow" and "küchenwohntrends Salzburg", enthusiastic visitors drop into incredibly comfortable upholstered furniture.
The Erpo Motion collection is launched: luxurious Relax Armchairs that can be adjusted manually or by electric motor, allowing deep relaxation in any sitting or reclining position.
Exciting, on the other hand: the awards. The CL 990 sofa from the CLASSICS series will receive the German Design Award in the "Furniture" category in 2019. And the company Erpo itself even receives the German Brand Award 2019. A traditional company that has focused on quality and comfort since its founding in 1952 is chosen as one of the most innovative brands in the country. We are proud.