Keller Kitchens
In 1935, Gerard Keller, the son of a cabinet maker, began importing parquet floors. Shortly afterwards, his brother Henk joined him and together they formed a small, profitable company.
During the war, when timber was scarce, the brothers concentrated on furniture production and, after the war, the brothers started manufacturing integrated interiors. Fairly soon, the first step towards kitchens was made when, at the end of 1946, Bredero's building company placed an order for 1000 kitchens. In these post-war years, Keller began to concentrate even more on kitchens. Various ranges were produced for the contract market and, to keep ahead of the competition, the brothers decided to start producing luxury kitchens - it was now 1948.
In the years that followed, kitchen manufacture became the core business of the company. Although the company continued to manufacture wardrobes and cupboards for the housebuilding market, the company increased the focus on kitchens. Due to continued expansion, Keller established itself, in the 70s, in a brand new factory on an industrial estate in Roosendaal-West. Here, factory contract kitchens, wardrobes, cupboards and luxury kitchens were produced.
In 1983, Keller started exporting successful luxury kitchens. Having started initially in England, Keller soon looked at countries like America, Singapore, Hong-Kong and the Middle East. Today, Keller has a solid dealer network in England and is also active in France, Portugal, Ireland and Belgium.
The dealer network in Holland was set up in 1973 to maximise selling opportunities. After a spell of own-brand stores, a franchise operation and a retail adventure, Keller decided, in 2000, to concentrate completely on their core business - the production of kitchens.
Today, luxury kitchens are now sold by three types of dealers. In the Keller Design Centres (KDC's), Keller kitchens are sold on an exclusive basis. The Keller Design Studio (KDS) offers an in-store concept whereby a concessionary space in the showroom is clearly positioned for Keller. The Dealer Basis Concept (DBC) started in 1973 and has grown into a dealer network of almost 60 outlets in Holland.
Besides luxury kitchens, Keller Keukenfabriek is also an important player in the Dutch market for contract kitchens. In 2002, Keller introduced the Prolux programme - a varied and flexible programme for the contract market.
The parquet factory of 1935 has grown to an international company with about 250 employees.
