Design
5 Questions with Andre Eckholt, Managing Director of Hettich India
DEC 31, 2024 | By Team ELLE DECOR India
Great design and engineering are the driving forces behind a furniture brand’s ability to showcase distinct styles and offer exceptional retail experiences. Among the few standout players in this field, Hettich — a German lifestyle brand — undeniably shines as a leader in India’s furniture fittings and hardware solutions market.
ELLE DECOR India chats with Andre Eckholt, the Managing Director of Hettich India about his time in India, what he loves about the company and the core values of the German brand.
Could you start by introducing yourself?
I’m Andre Eckholt, the Managing Director of Hettich India and also responsible for 64 other countries. From India, we manage infrastructure worldwide, operating across Africa, the Middle East, SAARC and India, which is our biggest market.
I’ve been with Hettich for 15 years now, and India has become a passion for me. I first came to India in 2013 when we decided to invest in manufacturing here. Back then, I was living in Vadodara, Gujarat, setting up our first manufacturing plant. It’s a beautiful city, and it has transformed significantly over the past decade. After three years there, I returned to our headquarters and managed business operations in Eastern Europe, living in Prague.
In 2022, I had the opportunity to come back to India, and I didn’t think twice. From a business perspective, India is a buzzing market with immense opportunities. Personally, I love the culture, the food and the warmth of the people.
What makes Hettich special to you?
Hettich is a legacy organisation, 136 years old, currently in its fourth generation, with the fifth generation on the horizon. We always think long-term, focusing on sustainable growth rather than short-term success.
Globally, we have nearly 10,000 employees, but we maintain the feel of a family-owned company. It’s a very people-centric organisation where everyone has a chance to add value and be recognised. For example, I joined in 2009 as a management trainee and had the chance to interact with Dr. Andreas Hettich himself within my first few weeks — an opportunity that’s rare in most organisations. Our culture is unique. Many people who leave to explore other opportunities often return, saying they missed something intangible but very special about Hettich. It truly feels like a family.
What are your three favourite Hettich products?
My top three products would be:
ArciTech Drawer System: This premium drawer system is close to my heart because I was the project manager who brought it to life in 2011. It targets the premium and luxury segments and has a personal emotional connection for me.
AvanTech YOU Drawer System: This is one of our latest developments, designed with the slogan “As individual as you.” It caters to B2B and B2C markets, allowing consumers to customise their kitchens with various materials, colours and finishes. It aligns perfectly with the trend of personalisation.
FurnSpin: A revolutionary product in the furniture industry, it’s a 360-degree rotating unit that allows you to open a wardrobe in a unique way, either to display or conceal items.
What are Hettich’s best household products?
At Hettich, we believe everything we manufacture should be in every home because our solutions are designed to transform living spaces.
In particular, our built-in appliances are becoming essential as kitchens evolve into the heart of the home. They’re no longer just functional spaces but areas where families gather, cook and spend quality time. During COVID, people spent more time at home and realised the value of a well-designed kitchen. This shift has increased the demand for modular kitchens, making built-in appliances more accessible and affordable. Our aim is to make consumers’ lives easier with stylish and functional products.
Where do you see Hettich in the next five years?
In India, we started in 2001 as a sales and marketing organisation. By 2013, we began investing in local manufacturing and since then, we’ve invested approximately ₹2,000 crores in building manufacturing capacities.
Over the next 5–10 years, India will become an increasingly important manufacturing hub for Hettich globally. While R&D will remain in Germany, production will expand in India due to the skilled workforce and cost advantages. We are replicating German setups in India to manufacture for both local and global markets.
On a market level, we are already the leader in India and local manufacturing will help us remain cost-competitive. We will continue to introduce products tailored to local needs while also leveraging India as a hub for global exports. Hettich’s core values are rooted in its legacy as a family-owned business. We prioritise long-term sustainability, innovation and a people-first approach. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction drives everything we do.
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