Holtkötter Returns to U.S. Market, Exhibits at High Point Market

In an interview with Lighting News Now, Katharina Holtkötter discussed the details of the long-awaited return of the renowned German lighting manufacturer brand to the North American market.  

As it has done for decades, the Holtkötter factory in Bad Waldliesborn, Westphalia, melds traditional German craftsmanship with German industrial tradition to manufacture lamps and lighting fixtures following the classic Bauhaus principle of “form follows function.”

“My grandfather [Franz] founded Holtkötter in 1964 as a master metalworker. And today, our core expertise still lies in timeless, elegant luminaires made from high-quality metal — manufactured entirely in Germany,” noted Katharina Holtkötter, whose father, Hans Holtkötter, was a frequent attendee at Lightovation in Dallas, where the company had a showroom for many years.

From the start, the Holtkötter factory has prided itself on its history for handling all of the manufacturing in-house — from toolmaking, development, design, turning, stamping, belting, electroplating, grinding, paint shop, and assembly. That rich heritage remains evident in the latest lighting products for the European and North American markets.

An early adopter of using LED lamping in its portables decades ago at a time when incandescent was the dominant light source in the industry, the Holtkötter line is now completely LED-based. “As we return to the U.S. market, we’re starting with a focused selection of our bestselling European designs of versatile reading and table lamps, and powerful, high-output torchieres,” Holtkötter said.

When asked what prompted this year’s re-entry into the U.S. market, which has been challenged economically as of late, Holtkötter noted, “There’s never a perfect time — but there’s also never a bad time for good lighting.”

The company’s previous experience in navigating the U.S. market successfully has made the reintroduction of the brand less daunting.

“We are taking a step-by-step approach to re-entering the U.S. market,” Holtkötter explained. “Product certification for North America is a complex and time-consuming process, so we are starting with our strongest products:  portable luminaires. If our clean, minimal design language resonates with the American audience, we’re very open to expanding the assortment. For example, chandeliers were once a popular part of the Holtkötter line in the U.S., and we’re seeing demand in Europe for slim aluminum bars with clever height adjustment.”

One distinguishing factor for Holtkötter’s go-to-market strategy today comes through a collaborative effort with other German brands in the home décor industry.

“We saw a special opportunity through a remarkable partnership with several premium German furniture brands near our production site that have come together under the umbrella of 518 North, to showcase their collections in the U.S market,” Holtkötter noted. “Their quality, values, and aesthetic are such a natural fit with Holtkötter, it felt like the right moment to join forces — and reintroduce ourselves to the U.S. market alongside them.”

The 518 North entity that Holtkötter is referring to is a building on the High Point Market campus, located at 518 North Hamilton St., in the Hamilton Wrenn district and conveniently accessible via the High Point Market shuttle Red Line.

The building is being billed at High Point Market as a “design destination for the latest in high-end, modern European furniture and accessories.” Among the companies exhibiting alongside Holtkötter at 518 North are: Ars Nova, Bordbar, By Jacobsen, Droste, Eloa, Kymo, Paladin, PLH, Pomp, Rodam, and Werther.

Instead of a separate North American headquarters, Holtkötter is partnering with a like-minded companies in North Carolina.

“We are working with strong, long-standing partners, one of which is Pöttker, a third-generation family business based in our hometown in Germany that manufactures high-end table extension systems,” Holtkötter explained, adding, “Their U.S. subsidiary, Pöttker USA, is located in Thomasville, N.C., and will be supporting us with logistics. On the sales side, we are honored to be working with Stephanie Williamson, CEO of 518 North. She coordinates all orders, inquiries, and customer communication across North America and manages the 518 North showroom in High Point, where Holtkötter products will be permanently on display and featured prominently at each High Point Market.”

The company is in the process of forming its rep network. “The U.S. is a big country, and we are re-entering with care,” Holtkötter noted.  For now, all U.S. inquiries and activities will be coordinated through Stephanie Williamson at the 518 North location in High Point. “We’d be happy to hear from anyone who’s interested in reconnecting with the brand — or discovering us for the first time,” she said.