Bretz designs
and
manufactures
fantastically
sensual
furniture for
freespirits and
eternal
enthusiasts
Everyday magic born out of a soft spot for sofas
Bretz combines two essentially contrary, but funda-
mental 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 Characters – 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 enthusiasts 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 comfortable, the ideal
combination of softness and firmness that lets you sink
in while giving you ergonomic support. Many years of
experience, 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 workshop in Gensingen is a handmade 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 Bretz.
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 sometimes 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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