History

The eventful history of the Lechner company

"We give kitchens a new face"

This was the vision of Günter and Doris Lechner – founder of what is now Europe's largest manufacturer of kitchen worktops and back walls. With his goal of giving the kitchen and its owners more individuality, the company's experienced founder has written an epic success story. His wife and co-owner, Doris Lechner, has been constantly at his side – the company D. Lechner GmbH also bears her name.

Just as the kitchen has evolved over many decades – from a functional fitted kitchen to the primary hub of social activity within the home – Lechner has succeeded in writing the story of the worktop's place as the most important design element in the kitchen.

In the meantime, founder Günter Lechner is in well-earned retirement. In March 2022, Lechner was taken over by the Livos Group. With Florian Mitzscherlich as Managing Director and Hartmut Müller from the Livos Group, the traditional company is headed by two experienced managers.

 

 

From our foundation to the present

1974

D. Lechner GmbH is founded in Forstinning near Munich with a focus on the sale of kitchen accessories. In the early days, the business is largely run from the garage at Günter Lechner's home.

1986

Start of the manufacture of laminate worktops in a considerable range of designs, which no other company in the kitchen industry could offer at that time.

1991

Relocation to Rothenburg ob der Tauber with a production area of 18,000m² to enable production of laminate and solid wood products.

1994

Foundation of Lechner Holding AG.

1996

The production area is more than doubled to 40,000m². Leropal GmbH is founded with a focus on laminate coating and postforming.

2002

To meet the strong demand for Lechner worktops and minimise transport damage, our in-house forwarding company Lerotrans GmbH is founded in 2002.

In the same year, solid surface is added to Lechner's product range.

2004

The demand for worktops is also increasing in the Eastern European market – Lechner Hungary Kft. is founded in 2004.

In the same year, quartz stone is introduced as the company's first stone-like material.

2006

Lechner is among the first companies to use glass as a material for worktops and supplies matching, individually printed kitchen back walls. From 2008, the latter are optimised using a specially developed printing technology.

2010

Another innovation in the kitchen market – ceramics are introduced as a robust material for worktops.

2012

To meet growing demand in the Scandinavian market, especially in the field of wood-based materials, Lechner Svenska Holding AB is founded in 2012 and a factory is opened in Sweden.

2014

With the introduction of our robust and innovative Compact material with its striking black board core, a high-quality alternative to laminate has been offered since 2014.

2015

Introduction of the materials natural stone and Brilliant line, and expansion of the total production area to over 90,000m².

2016

Introduction of "Wulli" as a brand ambassador for Lechner, the inspirational lifestyle brand, and launch of a large-scale brand campaign including TV adverts.

2018

The integration of new printing presses for glass ensures consistently high quality. In addition, the innovative Switchy product is launched – an interchangeable LED glass frame developed and patented by Lechner.

2019

Introduction of the material Dekton®. It is composed of more than 20 natural minerals and is an ultra-compact surface from Cosentino.

2019

In this successful year, Lechner achieved third place in the "Kitchen Accessories" category for its patented Switchy glass change frame, making it one of the winners of the 12th BMK Innovation Award.

2020

New perspectives were created through interdisciplinary cooperation with COLORNETWORK®. Here, the new decors be rooted!® and feel jade!® were able to expand the glass product area.

2021

The plant in Hungary has moved from the town of Tát to the Hungarian town of Akácos. The move allows for larger and modern production as well as optimal connectivity.

2022

In March, Lechner was taken over by the Livos Group. Florian Mitzscherlich was appointed as the new managing director.

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