LD Seating, a Czech family-owned company founded in 1993, is the manufacturer of designed seating for both offices, public and private spaces and is considered the leader in this industry in Central Europe. They cooperate with a number of Czech and foreign designers and their products regularly appear in the implementations of interior designers and architects.
LD Seating rely on the precise craftsmanship of all their products, from foamed bodies, which they produce themselves in the subsidiary PUR seating, to sewing and upholstery. LD Seating know how important it is to choose a seat exactly tailored to a given space, because even apparent details, such as the colour of the seat construction, can contribute to the overall atmosphere of the interior. That is why their products are adaptable and you can choose components and upholstery according to your needs. Showrooms are located in Boskovice (where there is also situated manufacturing plant), in Prague and in Bratislava.
Interview with Jakub Hurab, managing director at LD Seating.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Jakub Hurab: The main activity is to deliver high quality seating that will last for many years, not only because of its durability but also because of its design. There are also other smaller activities, for example, sewing gift items from leftover fabric.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
J.H: On Orgatec in autumn 2022 we presented 3 new series – Nido by Orlandini Design, FollowMe by Andreas Krob and Arcus by Martin Ballendat. Nido: Nido is very complex modular seating. You can make a single armchair, booth, sofa or complicated sets out of Nido. FollowMe: Analysing the seating habitants, we wanted to create a flexible backrest where the user has more mobility options, especially to turn left and right and to “overbend“ the top part of the backrest for a relaxing stretching. With “normal constructions “, it`s not possible to do that. That’s why we invented the FollowMe!
Arcus: “The distinct arc of our new ARCUS chair was the core element from the very first sketch and supposed to flow harmoniously into an organically designed mesh frame. It offers the function of a push handle as well as giving the back a unique character. The side view of the back forms a classically harmonious curved S-shape with an accentuated lordosis and a light shoulder support. The challenge now was to combine both organic lines (the S-shape of the side view and the smoothly embedded arc of the rear view) into an aesthetically pleasing unit. By focusing on a rather feminine shape, we were able to achieve a sensitive harmonic design language. The world is manly enough.”
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
J.H: Products from LD Seating are focused mainly on office and contract seating. That includes offices, banks, hotels, cafes, flats etc.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
J.H: Furniture market, especially chairs market is full of strong competition. Right now, it is stable, but also a little stagnating, because of high energy costs and inflation.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
J.H: Main trend in chairs is some kind of comprehensive simplicity. That means the chair has to be simple in terms of adjustability with not too many levers, but very complexed in terms of ergonomic and how it fits people with different heights and weights.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
J.H: FollowMe for sure 😊
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
J.H: This year is expected to be little weaker in turnover and number of orders. On the other hand, LD Seating is financially stable and ready to use this time to invest massively. 5 new product lines will be launched, photovoltaic panels will be installed and most probably new big hall for polyurethane foaming will be built during 2023.