German Consortium Repurchases German Top Furniture Brand from KUKA Home

German furniture designer Rolf Benz founded his own furniture company in 1964. Its sofa products quickly became one of the most well-known and popular brands in Germany. After years of Chinese ownership, the company will once again be managed entirely by a local German team.

Rolf Benz is one of Germany's most famous furniture brands, with over 400 employees. The brand is known for its upholstered furniture produced in Baden-Württemberg. According to the company, they once revolutionized the sitting habits of Germans. In the 1960s, its classic living room furniture also included a sofa and two armchairs. Rolf Benz created the world's first modular corner sofa. On a legendary TV show, celebrity guests sat on Rolf Benz sofas.

The historic furniture manufacturer Rolf Benz is about to get new owners. The company announced: "A German consortium will acquire Rolf Benz." Previously, in 2018, Rolf Benz was acquired by KUKA Investment Management, a subsidiary of the Chinese upholstered furniture giant Jason Furniture, primarily known for sofas and seating combinations. Therefore, after many years, Rolf Benz is once again fully back in German hands.

Frank Niehage, former CEO of the online broker Flatexdegiro, is the consortium's spokesperson and will also chair the supervisory board of the company founded by Rolf Benz in 1964 in the future. Niehage said: "The new shareholders bring business acumen, international experience, and a long-term development perspective to Rolf Benz."

The goals of the new shareholders include further strengthening the brand, increasing innovation capabilities, bolstering the company's strength, and achieving profitability. Niehage stated that this will be achieved through targeted investments, focus, and necessary strategic expansion. The transaction is expected to be completed in March. The acquisition price and other members of the consortium are currently unknown.

Rolf Benz CEO Jürgen Mauß said: "Premium quality, design leadership, and the highest quality will remain the company's unwavering guiding principles." He and CFO Jens Hofmann will continue in the management team and will be involved in the company's affairs in the future.

The manufacturer's ownership has changed several times in the past. Designer Rolf Benz exited the shareholder group as early as 1999, having previously acquired the furniture manufacturer Walter Knoll in Herrenberg, near Stuttgart in the Swabian region, together with his family. Rolf Benz passed away in 2025 at the age of 91. His son Markus Benz leads the company, and additionally, Rolf Benz's granddaughter is also part of the management team.