As part of Blum's 'Moving Ideas' project which aims to harmonise the marketing and selling process by key distributors of Blum products, our Marketing team took the short hop down to Milton Keynes to visit the Blum Experience Centre last week (10th May).
It was a chance to meet the team there and to catch up with some of the marketing and distribution staff who recently visited us here in Oldham, as well as seeing firsthand the latest products, manufacturing and training developments.
Although nowhere near as expansive at Blum's multi-site operation in Austria, the Milton Keynes site is impressive: inspirational roomsets, design break-out zones, technical areas and a walk-through history of Blum; how it all started and the inspiration and drive for the future.
And despite no manufacturing taking place in the UK, it was an opportunity to see the advanced robotic distribution warehouse, an impressive high-bay structure with pallets being shuttled around on tracks, computer-guided for precision placement and picking.
It was also a chance to see how Blum develops its concepts for better design: there is never a 'one solution fits all' and Blum are keen to emphasise that good, useful design depends on individual needs and requirements. Products are always under review and development is constantly looking to make them even better, more adaptable and fit for purpose in an ever-changing world. It was fascinating to learn that throughout the life of the company (founded in 1952) Blum have consistently developed a product that became the benchmark for furniture fitting design.
Stuart, our web developer (who sadly couldn't make the trip due to Covid but joined us on a video call together with his Austrian counterparts) has been working on some technical elements of improved data transfer, as we seek to improve the product information on the HPP website. This has wider implications, with Blum considering this route (eventually, when we've ironed out the technical creases!) for all its partner distributors.
The rest of the marketing team - Amy, Mark and Matt - were given a presentation about 'Moving Ideas', a brand architecture of seven core values that define and influence the products, services and aftercare on offer from Blum and its brand partners.
It was a fantastic opportunity to meet our Blum representatives here in the UK, to be shown the dedication and drive that's underpinned the company for the last 70 years and the developments in product design and marketing that will see it well for the future. We look forward to being part of it here at HPP!
See more about the Blum 'Moving Ideas' project here
And what's with the horseshoe? For a worldwide company that now has sales of over €2 bilion, Blum has very humble beginnings. Julius Blum, who founded the company in 1952, was a farrier and carriage smith by trade. His first product was a horseshoe stud which prevented horses from slipping. So now you know!