Vitra and Artek - a new partnership

September, 9 2013 • 10:00

Posted inRetail

On Friday 6th September, Vitra, renowned Swiss furniture brand, acquired Artek, the Finnish design company founded by Alvar Aalto and his wife back in 1935.

Armchair 41 "Paimio“ by Alvar Aalto, 1932. Photographer: Juha Nenonen. © Artek

 

 

The previous owner of Artek, Swedish private investment company Proventus, explains that after 20 successful years of being part of the Group, and with a significant increase in presence on the design market, Artek was in need of a more international platform and added industrial capabilities to be able to jump to the next level.

 

Pendant Lamp A330S by Alvar Aalto, 1937. Photographer: Artek. © Artek

 

 

For this reason Vitra, with its widely recognised position in the industry, was approached.

"Vitra has held Aalto and Artek in high regard for decades," said Vitra chairman Rolf Fehlbaum. "Like Vitra it is a commercial-cultural project which plays an avant-garde role in its sector. For Vitra it is important that Artek can continue and further develop this role."

 

Pirkka Table, Pirkka Bench by Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1955. Photographer: Artek. © Artek

 

 

Artek will continue to operate as a separate company and no changes to management or manufacturing will be made. “Artek and Vitra are both very creative companies so any crossover is likely to be in creative projects."

 

Stool 60 by Alvar Aalto, 1933. Photographer: Tuomas Uusheimo © Artek

 

 

Trienna Table by Ilmari Tapiovaara, 1954. Photographer: Canon Oy TS. © Artek