For most people naming Swiss designer furniture producers is as much of a challenge as naming famous Belgians or happily married English footballers.
USM Haller being the equivalent of Belgium's Hergé.
However the Confoederatio Helvetica has a lot more to offer than Fritz Haller's genial system. And a lot more to offer than modular steel and chrome.
One of the greatest contrasts to USM Haller is the cabinet maker Röthlisberger.
Founded in 1928 Röthlisberger's first contact with the global furniture market came in 1957 when they starting producing furniture on behalf of Knoll International. In 1975 the cooperation with Knoll International ended and in 1977 Röthlisberger introduced their own products onto the market under the name "Röthlisberger Kollektion"
Currently featuring products by designers such as Tomoko Azumi, Hanspeter Steiger or Susi and Ueli Berger the "Röthlisberger Kollektion" combines the companies experience in traditional Swiss carpentry with modern technology and approaches
In Milan (smow) caught up with Röthlisberger Kollektion boss Jürg Scheidegger and discussed the development of new products, the role of the Internet in the designer furniture industry - and the persuasive powers of Swiss chocolate.
