JANUA: 'The best team in the world'

Christian Seisenberger grew up playing in his father’s workshop. So it’s no surprise that he fell in love with wood at his parents’ cabinetmaking firm and realised he was destined to be a craftsman. Looking back, he sees his cabinetmaking apprenticeship as the most important training he ever did. That was where he learned how to build furniture. After business training and a course at the Akademie für Gestaltung in Munich, the 20-year-old Christian felt ready to go his own way.  And so, driven by the vision of making simple, timeless furniture that would nevertheless stand out on account of its stunning workmanship and appearance, he set out into the world.

You discovered your love of wood at an early age. How did it all begin?

Christian Seisenberger: I was young and full of drive, and I couldn’t wait to implement my own ideas in a company. My determination and fascination with furniture were the best qualifications I could have had for getting something successful off the ground. Armed with my own collection, I went to the TrendSet trade fair in Munich, and on the last day I met my future marketing manager, Udo Patzke. All he said was: “That’s really good.” Two days later, we agreed to work together and sealed it with a handshake. That was in January 2005 – and JANUA was born.

And how did your story continue, how did you get Janua to take off?

CS: We just went for it: with a great deal of courage and patience and lots and lots of work, we threw ourselves into the adventure. Right from the start, I surrounded myself with people who share my values and ideas and enjoy what they do. And then we went to the furniture fair in Cologne for the first time: the BB 11 Clamp table really made a splash. Clamp is a table system that combines a clever design with outstanding craftsmanship. It was in Cologne that our collaboration with

Freifrau began as well – two brands, one heartbeat.

What do you think it is that makes Janua special?

CS: Through Stefan Knopp, we rediscovered the ancient technique of charburning and used it to create a unique collection. That wasn’t just innovative, it shook the industry up as well. What’s more, charburning, smoking and the use of vintage wood underscore what JANUA stands for: it’s these finishes and the traces of brushes and chainsaws – on our SK 01 Monolith or BC 05 Stomp tables, for instance – that make our furniture unique. And then there’s the Basket table series, which tells a ruggedly beautiful, feminine story in the form of a basket-like base. It doesn’t matter whether it’s made of wood, stone or metal – all our furniture has character. The latest addition to the Basket family is the outdoor collection, with a choice of five different types of stone that are suitable for outdoor use.

What does sustainability mean to you?

CS: For us, sustainability is a matter of course. It’s something we strive for every single day; we scrutinise every step in the production process to see whether it’s necessary or could be adapted.

And everything is produced regionally. Our collaborations are based on trust and respect. That way, we don’t just benefit from the many years of experience our partners’ old-established firms can provide, it’s good for the environment too because it keeps transport distances short.

What does Janua mean to you personally?

CS: I started out with the goal of creating the most “awesome” firm in the world. And you can still sense the essence of that sentiment today: what we do centres on people – the way we treat each other, how we work, celebrate and get through hard times ... JANUA is passion, curiosity and trust in teamwork! A lot of it has to do with traditional values, which we interpret in a modern way. Having the best team in the world is the only way we can push the limits of what’s technically possible and continue on our path undeterred.

And where is that path headed?

CS: If things stay the way they are now I’ll be happy (smiles and reflects): it would be great if I could implement the four-day week successfully – without any loss of quality or image. Optimising efficiency is the only way to achieve that. But my staff always come first. That would be my biggest success.

Text: Roland Merz | Photos © JANUA

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