Platform about design and technology in the kitchen, home, and bathroom industry
Winner Golden Triangle turns any kitchen into a winning kitchen
It was an ultimate crowning achievement. A year ago Berkers Keukens Den Bosch won the prestigious Golden Triangle award for the best kitchen of the year, which is now traditionally awarded during the annual meeting of MHK. Now a year on and a visit to Berkers Keukens later, it appears that the manufacture of beautiful kitchens is actually standard and that is nice to see.
In Den Bosch, Berkers Keukens shows how a showroom can be more than just a place to view kitchens. The establishment is conveniently made up of basically two distinct worlds. One with kitchens from Keller, and on the other side a studio with the special designer kitchens from Leicht. Here the strength of the design brand and the possibilities such as customization within Leicht become very visible. Ruud Vaes, who has been a kitchen consultant for 30 years and was appointed fairly soon after Berkers Keukens opened in Den Bosch, explains: “The Leicht studio offers additional insight into the design segment within the kitchen world. It's a different world of experience compared to the average kitchen in the Netherlands.”
For Vaes, creating the right kitchen to suit the visitor is the best part. “We like to surprise the customer. Customers also comment that they have found the whole process to be pleasant.” When we ask what position we can put after his name, he is clear. “Kitchen consultant! But that's a bit different from Kitchen Salesman. We really advise. We listen carefully to exactly what people want. That way we also manage to surprise our customers.”
The entire showroom is an inspiring environment for every type of visitor. Different styles and possibilities are displayed in Den Bosch, so that the showroom visitor can imagine what is possible, but it only becomes really special when the final design is presented to the customer. At Berkers Keukens they know what they are doing. It is a very well-known name in kitchen country. For more than fifty years, this business with several branches has been active in the kitchen industry and is known for its personal approach and customization. Director Edwin Bol opened Berkers Keukens Den Bosch 5.5 years ago. The distinction actually began from the moment the location was chosen. Not on a home furnishing boulevard, but at its own location on a through road.
Ultimately, distinctiveness goes far beyond location. That becomes immediately clear to every visitor upon entering. In the showroom in Den Bosch, the emphasis is on good advice and a design that really suits the life and wishes of their customer. Vaes: “Berkers Keukens Den Bosch works with a small team. With Edwin Bol as director, me and Tara Verhagen (who was hired after an internship red.) as employees, we have short lines of communication. That works fastest and most pleasant. Also for our clients. From the first conversation to completion, the same consultant remains linked to the client.”
It's been a year since Ruud Vaes‘ design on behalf of Berkens Keukens Den Bosch was named ’Best Kitchen of the Year“ at the MHK annual meeting in Noordwijk. Vaes is still mega-proud of this award, but even more so of the kitchen he designed. ”For me, it still starts with a pen and sketches. In the end, it is often in clever solutions: an unexpected layout, subtle lighting or materials that fit perfectly with the rest of the interior. The design exceeded all the client's wishes. In the end, we received the award based on 50 percent of the votes. That was unprecedented."
From the conversation with Vaes, it becomes clear that Berkers Keukens Den Bosch actually distinguishes itself on a daily basis. With a combination of design, technical knowledge and attention to the customer, Berkers Keukens wants to achieve one goal above all: to design a kitchen that gives people pleasure every day.
