WEBVTT

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We are a Norwegian manufacturer of steel
storage solutions.

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Our roots go back more than
a hundred years.

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Historically, our products have been defined
by high functionality

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and solid quality, often placed in
technical rooms, locker rooms and basements.

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We wanted to explore whether we could design
and produce

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furniture that could take a central role
in a space.

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I already knew Eskoleia and their deep
expertise in

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the production of steel furniture,
which I find very exciting.

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From early on I wanted to develop something

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with a very distinctive profile,
drawing more on a domestic

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aesthetic and sculptural qualities,

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even though it would be placed
in office environments.

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We work with thin sheet metal – steel and
aluminium – which can be a bit rickety.

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So the challenge was to construct it

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in a way that gives a strong sense
of quality.

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How you place the bends and how

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the joints are made

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increases strength and stiffness,

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and therefore the perceived quality
of the product.

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Our product development team has its office
here at the factory,

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and this is where the magic happens.

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Because we are so close to production,

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we can fine‑tune every step
of the process.

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That is a key reason why we achieve
the quality we do.

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I turned up the volume of the expression.

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The forms are quite bold in character,

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and this is further emphasised through
colour choices and surface treatment,

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to introduce a new tone
for Eskoleia.

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Eskoleia also has an important social mission:
to help people enter working life.

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The factory is in many ways
a learning environment.

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Many of the people who work here
have completed their trade

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certificate and education

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through the factory itself.

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There is also a philosophy
within product development.

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Products can be fantastic for the end user,

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but they must also work well

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for the people who make them.

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When you combine deep production expertise

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with strong new products

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and collaborate with external designers,

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you create enormous opportunities.

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We had ambitious goals from the start,

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but receiving attention across the Nordics

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and internationally

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was more than we could have imagined.

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I hope the Unit collection will mark

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the beginning of a new chapter

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for Eskoleia.