ABOUT
LEICHT
The long-established kitchen manufacturer from the southern German area of Swabia - has become a successful international architectural brand. Innovative power, quality „made in Germany“, proximity to the dealers and top-quality kitchens in
every price category.
There are a number of factors that come together at LEICHT to orchestrate the company‘s success.90 years after the company was established, LEICHT is a brand with international appeal that continues on the road to success
LEICHT pledges allegiance to its location with production and assembly. LEICHT kitchens stand for quality „made in Germany“ and are held in high esteem all over the world.
FOUNDER
STEFAN WALDENMAIER
The company founded as a carpenter‘s workshop in 1928 by the brothers Alois and Josef Leicht was sold to the Welle family in Paderborn in 1975. The company‘s success was not always self-evident. At the start of the 1990s, the Welle family was interested in an IPO for LEICHT, but had to adapt to the requirements of an increasingly internationally oriented market and develop a new strategy that would work long term.
Stefan Waldenmaier joined LEICHT in 2002 and this was to prove to be a turning point for the company. He described the new strategic orientation concisely with the concept „product, service, brand“: in other
words developing a durable, top-quality product that can be planned in a variety of ways and selling this product to end consumers through dealers.
Furthermore, the brand was to be given more charisma at international fairs with online and ad campaigns, showcasing in the company‘s own showroom as well as image publications. LEICHT has always kept its promise to dealers and customers that it would supply classically timeless, top-quality, exclusive kitchens to suit every taste and has thus gained a large number of loyal followers over the years
All over the world LEICHT is now synonymous with homely, prestigious and open kitchens in all price
segments and has found a place for itself with individually plannable kitchens that are outstanding value for money. Most recently the company has also devoted its attention to designing the dining and living area with room dividers, shelving and complete wall coverings in appropriate colours and materials
HISTORY
INTRODUCTION
- 1928 Founded by brothers Alois and Josef Leicht as a carpenter‘s workshop
- 1940-1950 LEICHT developed the first modular kitchen which still has a valid measurement and grid system today.
- 1975 LEICHT was taken over by Welle Holding and continued to be run as an independent company.
- 1993 The company became LEICHT Küchen AG. Today LEICHT Küchen AG is a non-listed subsidiary of Welle Holding. Shares are still held by the original founding family.
- 2014 Opening of the LEICHT I WELT at the company HQ in Waldstetten.
- 2015/2017 LEICHT was deemed the „most innovative brand of the year“ at the Plus X Awards.
- 2017 LEICHT has 610 employees and posted sales of EUR 137 million.
AWARDS AND PRIZES
LEICHT is the „best sold premium brand for kitchens“, according to a survey by GfK in 2016; a further
accolade was the „most innovative brand of the year“, a title LEICHT was awarded both in 2015 and
2017. The outstanding value for money has also been awarded a prize: a national survey showed that
LEICHT was „price winner 2016“ for kitchen furniture and was awarded 1st prize. Exporting to 55 coun-
tries worldwide and with sales totalling EUR 137 million in 2017, LEICHT Küchen AG grew by 11% in
2017 alone 90 years after its founding and can be confident about its future.
