Mr. Frank Gattermann-Buder answers on all the questions, which we have always wanted to know about FÜRSTENBERG. Over the years of the company affiliation, Mr. Gattermann-Buder was able to gain insight into all departments of the company. Today he is only here for us.

Hello Mr. Gattermann-Buder, you are the senior manager of the international sale of FÜRSTENBERG, one of the best porcelain factories in the world. Please tell us the history of the foundation of the company.

Duke Carl I. zu Braunschweig founded the company in 1747. Certainly - even after the example of August the Strong in Meissen - with a certain vanity to own their own manufactory. The duke was mainly farsighted for his time - and, together with other companies in the south of his duchy, founded FÜRSTENBERG to create jobs in an extremely poor region at that time - to provide the employees with income for the survival.

Since the construction of the small factory in 1747, you have developed enormously from the Fürstenberg workshop. Please explain me how this tremendous upswing came.

This is happened due to the consistent development of the company, the brand and the collection as well as the sales markets. However, it must not be overlooked that there have been many ups and downs over the course of the 270 years, due to historical processes such as wars and economic influences such as, the global economic crisis. But even after these times, it has always been possible to get up from the harshest conditions.

Even today you are settled in Fürstenberg and everything is made in fine craftsmanship. How long does it take to make one cup and how long do customers usually wait for their orders?

This mostly depends on the ordered version of the cup, consisting of two items and production cannot be focused on time. Handles are carried out separately from the top of the object, and then they are fixed. A certain state of drying before the first fire, a stamp of the bottom labeling "underglaze" with cobalt color, glazing and a second fire. One or more firing follows the previous decoration of the object, if the customer wishes to decorate the cup especially.

Do you still keep to the classical technique of the past or have you completely modernized it?

Even today, a large portion of the porcelain production at the company FÜRSTENBERG is based on handwork.

Could you please explain me how exactly these paintings get on a small plate.

Either by means of a screen print (very elaborate development JE specific article), pure hand painting or a combination of both.

How do you select the artists who bring the pictures to your plates?

They are long-established and very experienced employees of the porcelain manufacture by FÜRSTENBERG, who at the beginning of their careers take an intensive training and who also have to acquire a few years of experience in the daily business of the manufactory in order to obtain the appropriate competence.

Your service is at my place more like a decoration, because many people consider it more adept than a product for everyday use. What is it for you and what will you say to people like me?

The time of life is much too precious not to always use beautiful things.

In 2005 you entered into a cooperation with SIEGER. Please tell me how this changed your business.

This collaboration was and is fruitful for both companies. FÜRSTENBERG has had its history and incredible experience of more than 250 years, Sieger Design is a very successful company in a wide range of design and services with corresponding experience. The FÜRSTENBERG sales team has two valuable brands in the portfolio in order to meet the diverse requirements of the markets and customers.

Is SIEGER still another company for you, or have you grown together?

Both companies are absolutely independent. SIEGER by FÜRSTENBERG is a joint brand of both companies. Sieger is responsible for the design, FÜRSTENBERG for production and sales.

Many of your competitors raise their prices. Can you keep your prices constant?

Our sales prices have remained unchanged since April 2015, and there will be no price increase for both brands in 2017 either.

FÜRSTENBERG is a premium brand and one of the best in its field. Please tell us in a short sentence why this is so. What does distinguish you?

We have 270 years of experience - 'FINEST HANDCRAFTED PORCELAIN', 'CONTEPORARY SINCE 1747' (we have at least one original form from rococo in every era) MADE IN GERMANY - , Innovation (double-walled articles with thermo function) and functionality (combinability of the articles among each other).

Where is FÜRSTENBERG going in the coming years? Do you think your company will change it or have you already arrived to where you have always aspired?

Many current awards have confirmed our philosophy of „the union of centuries-old craftsmanship with modern design“. We are proud of this and will continue on this path.

There are also clear differences between the European and East European markets. What does your experience say, how different are the shopping tendencies in your market?

The Eastern European markets are still more those with classic customer requirements.

The online shop www.BREGNER.com deals with the distribution of luxury goods throughout the world. For a variety of our customers, luxury is something extraordinary, for others something self-evident. How do you view luxury?

Very diverse, related to our industry.

Luxury is a word that has many different meanings for numerious people who deal with it. Now I ask you what exactly luxury is for you.

Together with FÜRSTENBERG and porcelain of both brands, luxury means for me a life-affirming quality - worth every penny and for passing on from generation to generation.

In conclusion, quite between us and the other readers, how many cufflinks do you have?

I do not wear a business shirt without cuffs. Three pairs of FURSTENBERG with my initials - in different versions - as well as a pair as gifts from my wife and my mother.

Thank you for all these insightful ideas in your business and your company. We wish you and FÜRSTENBERG all the best!