The entrance to inspiration – at Essem Design, everything starts in the hallway

Nostalgia paved the way for a new vision

Essem Design has its origins from a foundry in Anderstorp, which was started by Gunnar Bolin in 1937. Gunnar created the first "Nostalgia" shelf in recycled aluminum – a product that is still part of the company's range. "We have a long history that is deeply rooted in craftsmanship and sustainability," says Robert, adding, "but at the same time, we love to explore new possibilities and challenge ourselves." This is about more than just furniture; it is a story where tradition meets innovation.

In 2002, Sten-Roger Bladh, former quality manager at the foundry, acquired the rights to the products through a spin-off from the foundry. The company now got a new name; Essem Design – and the vision of sustainable hallway interiors that give the first room the attention it deserves gained new momentum. Today, it is Frida and Robert, Sten-Roger's children, who have taken over the responsibility of driving Essem Design forward. With Frida leading finance and logistics and Robert as the face of marketing and product development, the company is more than ready to meet the challenges of the future. The focus remains on creating timeless products that last year after year.

“We have always cared about sustainability – the biggest difference for us is that we nowadays tell what we do”

Sustainability is a given in today's corporate strategies, but for Essem Design it is more than a trend – it is a cornerstone that has been present from the beginning. “We have always cared about sustainability,” says Robert. For Essem Design, sustainability is about concrete actions and long-term responsibility. This is evident in everything from their investment in green electricity, LED lighting, and solar panels that cover their entire energy needs, to actively collaborating with local suppliers to create job opportunities in the area.

This care also extends to the lifecycle of the products. The company actively works to restore and reuse its own products. "We have saved large amounts of hall interiors from demolition projects and restore them to like-new condition," explains Robert. This is just one of many examples of how Essem Design takes sustainability seriously.

To further strengthen its sustainability efforts, the company conducted a comprehensive analysis of its carbon footprint in the spring, measuring the entire operation. This analysis, led by Magdalena Holm, provides the company with clear goals to continuously reduce its CO2 emissions year after year. Additionally, work is underway to implement EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) on more products to increase transparency regarding the environmental impact of the products. With ISO and quality certifications backing them, combined with a focus on reuse and available spare parts, Essem Design shows that sustainability is not just a word for them – it is a way to shape the future. "What we do should reflect our brand and how we want to be perceived – welcoming, transparent, and sustainable," concludes Robert.

To become synonymous with the hall – a clear vision for the future

Essem Design has a strong vision for the future – to become synonymous with the first room, the hall. They see the hall as their space to create identity and strengthen their place on the map, both in Sweden and internationally. The challenge lies in expanding beyond Sweden's borders and growing in foreign markets. The company sees great potential in markets such as Germany, Norway, the USA, Finland, the United Kingdom, and Japan. At the same time, they want to remain a personal company with sustainable products and a constant focus on minimal material usage. "We want to be responsive to what is happening around us and always create what reflects our brand and how we want to be perceived," says Robert.

Future plans include further development of their range and the creation of more products that fit in both private and public environments. With the "Nostalgia" and "Classic" families at the center, Essem Design works closely with designers to develop products that both attract consumers and meet the demands placed in public environments. "We do not focus on following trends, but rather on creating timeless products that last year after year," explains Robert.

Economic sustainability is also an important part of the vision. Over the next three years, Essem Design aims to increase its revenue to between 70 and 80 million and take a larger share of sales through its own webshop. Their e-commerce has developed into a platform that not only inspires consumers but also provides architects and interior designers easy access to the information they need. "We want our website to be a tool that both inspires and provides clarity about our products and their sustainability," says Robert.

Sustainability, market, and product development are at the core of Essem Design's future work. The goal is to halve the company's CO2 footprint by 2030 and continue to develop products with a focus on reuse and sustainable materials. "Being transparent and

"Life begins and ends in the hall every day"

It is hard to leave Essem Design's office without feeling inspired. Here they have managed to combine tradition with visions of the future in a way that feels genuine and real. Their products are not just created to serve a function; they are designed to make an impression in the first room, to be a part of the home and everyday life. "Life begins and ends in the hall every day," says Robert. And with that thought, we leave Essem Design, convinced that the first room has never been more significant than now.