Vestre AS voted brand of the year by German Design Council

The German design award Iconic Award 2023 in the category “Brand of the year” will be officially handed over at a ceremony and design exhibition in Cologne on 3 June later this year.

“It’s an enormous honour to receive this recognition from one of the world’s leading and most innovative design groups,” said Bjørn Fjellstad, CEO of Vestre AS.

This is a special award which is awarded, it cannot be applied for, and the Norwegian furniture manufacturer Vestre AS was presented with the award together with the other winners when the German Design Council hosted an opening party on 18 April 2023 during the Milan Design Week.

From the left: Lutz Dietzold, CEO in German Design Council, Marianne Preus Jacobsen, Project Manager in Vestre, Marva Griffin, Founder of SaloneSatellite, Bjørn Fjellstad, CEO in Vestre AS, and Nicole Srock Stanley, member of presiding committee of German Design Council. Photos: Daniel Banner.

Vestre AS develops and manufactures durable, high-quality designer furniture for public spaces. All manufacturing takes place in Scandinavia and Scandinavian materials and suppliers of steel, aluminium and environmentally certified timber are used. Last year, Vestre AS opened the world’s most environmentally-friendly furniture factory, The Plus in Magnor in the county of Innlandet. Just across the Swedish border in Torsby is Vestre Steel Factory. The company is growing rapidly, with sales offices in Sweden, the United Kingdom, USA and Germany, and around 80 of the company’s turnover comprises exports.

“Germany is a key focus area for Vestre and we have set up a dedicated sales and marketing team based in Berlin. The award from the German Design Council represents confirmation that Vestre has a very high profile and is among the leading furniture producers in Europe,” said Fjellstad.

The jury’s statement: “The Norwegian brand “Vestre” stands for contemporary furniture design and a particularly sustainable brand development. Management within the family business that is as passionate as it is wise has strengthened the brand for 70 years. Today the company is one of the furniture industry’s pioneers in terms of sustainability, with CO2 neutral production in its own factory and exceptional commitment to positive climate development. The brand not only stands for outstanding quality and environmental sustainability, but also for “Social Design” in particular. The Norwegian manufacturer’s outdoor furniture has an equally decisive influence on the development of urban spaces, bringing people together and the design discourse.”

Rat für Formgebung—the German Design Council—is Germany’s leading authority within design and brands. The aim of the design council's international awards is to discover and honour the best companies, designers and brand-builders.