Poggenpohl goes on the offensive to grow U.S. cabinetry business
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Hans Henkes is new CEO of Poggenpohl U.S.
FAIRFIELD, N.J. - One of Germany's premier kitchen cabinetry brands, Poggenpohl, says it is taking a strong step towards becoming a more a client-centric company, with an aim to grow U.S. sales. 
 
The 125-year-old firm changed hands earlier this year, with ownership shifting from Sweden's Nobia, a cabinet manufacturing giant, to Adcuram, based in Munich, Germany. 
 
Strengthening the U.S. executive team with high-level management expertise. In doing so, Poggenpohl sets a course to underline its positioning as a leading international luxury brand in keeping with Friedemir Poggenpohl's founding principle: "We want to make the kitchen better."
 
In order to foster sales and distribution, Poggenpohl's Managing Director Thomas Kredatus will rely on a newly formed team, which is aligned to the various channels in the core regions of the world. Poggenpohl's North American team is further strengthened with the placement of three experienced new Executive Management Team members including, Hans Henkes as President and CEO, Sandie Duncanson-Irizarry as CFO and the promotion of Jennifer Fordham Blanco to Director of Retail.
 
"I am thrilled to join the Poggenpohl team, especially at this pivotal point in time," says Hans Henkes, President and CEO of Poggenpohl North America. "This is a milestone moment in Poggenpohl's history as we actively promote the brand through strategic sales, marketing and innovation. Poggenpohl is setting a new standard as a leading international luxury brand. I have great expectations for this company and high aspirations for the future." 
 
Hans Henkes, President and CEO of Poggenpohl North America, a graduate of Cornell University, comes with a wealth of experience within the industry of luxury brands and kitchen manufacturing. For more than 20 years, Henkes has successfully and strategically executed growth strategies in the U.S. and Europe for a wide array of companies. 
 
Sandie Duncanson-Irizarry joins Poggenpohl as the new CFO of North America with a strong background in the design industry. An MBA graduate of Rider University, Duncanson-Irizarry will serve as an integral and crucial part of Poggenpohl's Executive Management Team. 
 
Jennifer Fordham Blanco is promoted to Director of Retail. A graduate of Baylor University, Blanco comes with years of corporate retail and design experience as Manager of the Poggenpohl Dallas Kitchen Design Studio. Blanco possesses the necessary tools to strengthen and grow Poggenpohl's core retail and brand success.
 
In February Poggenpohl announced that as part of an ongoing realignment in Herford, Germany headquarters, Managing Director, Patrick Heinen left the company. In 2015, Nobia, the Swedish kitchen group, brought on Heinen to structure and guide the sale of PoggenpohlAdcuram. On February 1, 2017, the change of ownership was completed and Poggenpohl transferred out of the Nobia Group to its new owner Adcuram in Munich. Heinen subsequently launched a comprehensive transition phase which is now complete and ensured a seamless handover. The 42-year-old Thomas Kredatus, who was appointed as Managing Director, already as part of the change of ownership in February, assumed the full management responsibilities of the company.
 
Poggenpohl has been designing and producing luxury kitchens for 125 years, making it the world's longest-established kitchen brand. Customized, fitted kitchens delivered sophisticated "Made in Germany" to more than 70 countries are created in a manufacturing area of 54,000 m2. A global network of 450 Poggenpohl studios with highly qualified designers implements the customer concepts of an ideal kitchen.  
 

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.