STORAGE SOLUTIONS
Blum UK Ben Cullum “ 2
024 has been a significant year for Blum both here in the UK and globally in our ongoing development,” says Blum UK’s Sales Director, Ben Cullum when I ask how the year has treated the company. “At the start of July Blum UK completed the transition to its new Shared Leadership Team as we look to build on the hugely successful stewardship provided by Mark Richardson (Managing Director) and David Sanders (Sales & Marketing Director) over many years. As a global entity, Blum has continued its ongoing investment with a focus on being close to the customer, epitomised by its New global Regional Structure encouraging a new level of collaboration across markets.
“Of course, this question typically is aimed at understanding the overall market development and it’s fair to say we are seeing a large amount of activity around how we all maximise on opportunities as the consumer looks at hard choices with big ticket items. The KBB Exhibition in March was one such example of Blum sharing our thoughts on how we need to inspire and capture the imagination of customers through a challenging economic period.”
Ben explains that the rest of the year will be spent helping Blum customers achieve their aspirations through one of the historically busiest periods of the year. “This remains our absolute priority. After that, we are continuing to share our
BKU’s Matt Broughton spoke to Blum UK’s Sales Director, Ben Cullum, about the progress made in 2024, and what we can look forward to next year.
solution-based approach with a campaign highlighting some of the unique solutions that can be incorporated easily into designs. Our focus is to help provide answers to problems experienced in daily life at home and in the kitchen when using space, whether that’s having accessible storage or pull-outs with purpose.” I ask if there have been any customer demands that have surprised the company this year: “I think the overall desire for differentiated product that supports both the installers’ and consumers’ experience continues. Of course, the value perception remains vital but what is remarkable to me is the enduring power of inspiration, where we see higher value items continuing do very well such as floor to ceiling pocket doors. Blum showcased a secret door solution at various exhibitions that has gone viral more than once on social media to the point that customers not attending were getting in contact to learn more about this innovation.”
Storage Solutions
When it comes to identifying the big driving forces behind purchases in the Storage Solutions space, Blum continues to see priority placed by the customer on getting more value from every area in the home using clever design; whether that’s understairs storage or flexible pull-out worksurface areas in the kitchen. “Incorporating solutions such as bin or sink drawers, narrow pull-outs or behind plinth storage is all driven by the same desire to get more out of what is
available,” says Ben. “A big focus for our customers is on getting more value out of existing ranges through innovation, using many of the same components but in innovative ways. Our new innovation area at the Blum Experience Centre at Milton Keynes demonstrates some great examples of this.”
As Blum plans for 2025, its focus will continue to be on how the company understands and supports its customers and their needs moving forward: “We know that the level of individualisation demanded by the customer is only increasing and our focus will be on ensuring we take the stress away from our customers, meeting their varying needs with an increasingly tailored solution available at the right time.” I ask Ben if there’s any one product he can give us some early intel on: “The level of investment and speed of change at Blum is only increasing, so picking one product that’s on its way would be like picking your favourite child. I’m genuinely excited about what we’ll be showcasing next year. However, as a market-wide observation, for historical reasons the UK has not fully leveraged the opportunity of how lift systems in the home can change our experience of space and specifically make it more ergonomic. Most of us have had the experience of banging our heads on a hinged cupboard whilst unloading the dishwasher and we think the consumer doesn’t yet fully understand the alternative. With some significant changes, we will be excited to talk in 2025 about the new AVENTOS top range and how we can create living spaces of the future. “Blum remains committed to serving its customers, meeting the challenges of today and the future through ongoing investment and will keep doing that through its people, which remain at the heart of the Blum organisation.”
20 BKU OCTOBER 2024
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