Bretz designs
and manufactures
fantastically
sensual furniture for
freespirits and eternal
enthusiasts
B ret z I ntro
Everyday magic born out of
a soft spot for sofas
Bretz combines two essentially
contrary, but fundamental desires
in life: On the one hand, our
creations take you on fantastic
journeys full of adventure and
freedom. But, on the other hand,
they wrap themselves around you
making you feel safe and secure.
That is what defines True Charac-
ters – kind of impossible to figure
out, but great to be around.
This vision takes shape in our
workshop where Bretz strides
forth with a bold pioneering spirit
while drawing on over a hundred
years of German upholstery
tradition. Born out of our passion
for the unexpected coupled
with sophisticated production
techniques, we create exceptional
modular and multifunctional
concepts. Only when sofa,
bed, armchair or accessory has
been honed right down to the
last detail, will they meet our
exacting standards.
Free spirits and eternal enthusi-
asts know what it’s like to long for
more, which also resonates with
all of us at Bretz. Those who let
themselves fall here will find
support as well as boundless
inspiration. And maybe one or
two answers to the question:
What are you really longing for?
The frisson between familiar
comfort and surprising
adventure
The more you look, the more you
see – yes, but where you stand
also determines how much you
are able to see the wonders in the
details large and small and even
in the mundane. When it comes to
Bretz, though, it’s actually about
where you sit. The wonders that
surround you when you are in the
Bretz world are created by
exceptional craftspeople who
make these fantastic masterpieces
in our own workshop. Our sofas
consist of a sturdy wooden frame,
spring core and complicated
layers of foam of different
densities. Perfectly matched to
each other, they ensure that every
Bretz piece is wonderfully comfort-
able, the ideal combination of
softness and firmness that lets you
sink in while giving you ergonomic
support. Many years of experi-
ence, passion and precision have
gone into making sure that the
cover fits like a tailor-made
garment. A last tightening of the
velour, a last stroke of the hand
over the piece: each of these
moments is a small farewell before
the sofa goes on its journey to its
new home.
Firmly rooted in our
traditional craft with a
keen eye on the future
Johann Bretz founded the
company in 1895. Since then,
every upholstered piece of
furniture that leaves our work-
shop in Gensingen is a hand-
made original. It took passion
and a lot of courage to keep the
family business running over the
years. From total destruction in
World War II, to the recession in
1986, to being saved by the Bretz
brothers, Norbert and Hartmut,
in the following year. In 2010,
Hartmut’s daughter, Carolin,
initially joined the company as
a designer, and since 2018 she
has shared the management
with her uncle Norbert.
Creating the unexpected with
our hearts, minds and sense of
touch: our recipe for success
“We are a family business through
and through with a long tradition”
says Carolin. “Maintaining values
like solidarity, respect, and trust is
really important to us. And we
cherish open discourse and
different view points. All of our
colleagues are part of our
extended family. Some have been
with us for decades. We are very
proud of this and it shows us that
we are on the right path.”
Take Maria for example: She
started her career at Bretz in 1976
as a seamstress and today she is
head of the sewing and cutting
department. “I love my job,” she
says and means it. “We respect
and trust each other. The road to
the finished product is sometimes
paved with sleepless nights and
starting all over again, but also
with a rich exchange of ideas.
When the heat is on, together we
find a way to make the seemingly
impossible possible. Everyone
here is totally dedicated and
gives their very best.”
Every piece of furniture tells
a myriad of stories...
But our company values do not
end with looking after our
employees fairly; for ethical
reasons, we at Bretz have
completely abandoned the
use of any animal products like
leather or down. Since the 1990s,
dazzling velours are our ultimate
trademark. These hand picked
fabrics come mainly from Italy,
Germany and Belgium. When it
comes to creativity, there are no
limits at Bretz.
Creative director Pauline some-
times describes the style of
furniture as “limitless, eclectic,
imaginative”. We experiment with
dimensions and clichés, stretching
design boundaries in a way that
is rebellious, but also playfully
philosophical. “Bretz definitely
polarizes,” Pauline says, “but
there is one thing that all of our
furniture has in common: Each
piece tells its own story, gives
wings to the imagination and
combines two fundamental and
seemingly contrary human
desires; the desire to see strange
worlds juxtaposed with our need
for comfort, familiarity and
security. And if both can be found
in the same place then this is
where the magic begins. And it
is this magic that inspires us
every day.”
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