The kbbreview Interview // Anne Leitzgen
ones putting food on your table every day.' I didn't fully appreciate the wisdom in that when I was younger, but I now deeply understand how essential it is to respect and value the contributions of everyone in the company.
Can you tell us about a mistake you’ve made in the past and what you learned from it? When I first became president of the company, my goal was to manage with the existing leadership team. However, I learned that when things don't work out with certain people, you have to be willing to make tough decisions. In the past, I made the mistake of not addressing personal or professional issues on the team directly and promptly. I would wait, thinking the problems might resolve themselves. But I realised this only made the situation worse – it became more painful and dangerous for the company. Now, I know it's crucial to have open and honest conversations when there are issues. If I'm convinced someone is no longer the right fit, I don't wait to make the necessary changes. Treating human problems the right way, even if it's difficult, is essential. The key lesson I learned is not to shy away from addressing problems head-on. Being willing to make tough decisions quickly, for the good of the company and the people involved, is what's required as a leader.
Tell us about Schmidt's approach to sustainability. Embedding this sustainability-first approach has been a real cultural shift for the company, but I've made it clear to everyone that there is no other way forward. We have to deserve the right to grow as a business by demonstrating tangible positive impact on our employees, suppliers, customers, and the planet. It's a journey of continuous learning and improvement, as measuring certain
sustainability metrics can be quite complex. But we are committed to partnerships and transparency to keep getting better. Sustainability is simply non-negotiable – it's the only way we can build a lasting, responsible business for the future.
What are your UK market predictions for 2025? It's very difficult for me to make specific predictions about the UK market in 2025 as it's been quite unpredictable. Last year we expected a small decrease but actually saw an increase instead. So I believe the market will likely remain challenging in the coming years. I couldn't say definitively whether it will decrease further or stabilise. There are just too many uncertainties to make a confident forecast. What I do know is that we will continue to focus on increasing our network of retail dealers in the UK. We believe our brand has a lot to offer customers in terms of our values, commitment to sustainability, and the unique products and services we provide. Even in a difficult market, we're quite positive about the potential for Schmidt in the UK. And we'll keep investing in improving our sustainability credentials and being recognised as true experts in home design.
If we spoke in 12 months, what would you hope to have achieved? In 12 months' time, there are a few key things I would hope to have achieved. First and foremost, I would want all of our dealers in the UK to be in good shape, both personally and in terms of their business. Maintaining strong, long-term partnerships with our dealer network is absolutely critical. Secondly, I would hope to have made tangible improvements and further
proof of our sustainability efforts. It's not enough to just make promises – I want to have concrete actions and results to demonstrate our positive impact. Thirdly, I would like to see our brand become more widely recognised as a true
expert in home design. Our goal is to have very satisfied customers who are advocates for the Schmidt brand. Building that reputation and trust with consumers is essential. These three areas would be the key milestones I would hope to have achieved in the
next 12 months. Steady, sustainable growth built on a foundation of trust and positive impact is what I'm aiming for. kbbr
Leitzgen on... sustainability
Sustainability is absolutely critical and mandatory in every decision we make as a company. It's not just an afterthought or something we do on the side – it's a core part of our DNA. I've worked to shift the mindset from simply doing 'less bad' for the environment, to actively striving to have a positive impact. Every project, investment, or initiative we consider has to first and foremost be evaluated for its sustainability impact. If it has a negative effect on our carbon footprint, energy use, water consumption, or biodiversity, we won't even move forward with it.
below Schmidt's Curve concept offers rounded fronts for a soft, flowing contoured look to cabinetry and home furniture
March 2025
kbbreview
25
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