CombiLine to Cloud - a time travel in pursuit of quality

Hans Linde has worked as a district sales manager at TreCe for 24 years. With his long experience of TreCe's products, both in terms of design and functionality, he has become something of an expert on the products. Here he shares his views on design, functionality, choice of materials and the environmental aspects of product development. Key elements in creating TreCe's quality storage furniture.

Tell us about the product development from CombiLine to Cloud!
It all started in the 1990s when we developed a product that was virtually unheard of on the market - flexible storage furniture for offices and public spaces, a product that could be varied and put together according to the needs of the customer. That's how the idea of CombiLine was born. It is based on standard frames that can be assembled into a perfectly functional storage unit. The range has since evolved over time, with new products appearing along the way.

In recent years, TreCe has worked with various designers. Together with Annica Doms and Doms Design, the Kite and Birdie cellar storage furniture were developed. Both products are made of sheet metal with modern cuts. Kite and Birdie have won great international success and prizes in renowned design competitions.

We also noticed early on that there was a demand for mobile waste collection furniture. Together with two design students, Ebba Hellberg and Sigrid Ljungström, Cloud was born. Cloud is stylish, functional and a timely product. Flexibility and design were two important factors and it paid off, Cloud won 1st prize in the German Design Award 2019 for Excellent Product Design!

What do you think are the most influential milestones in TreCe's history?
Bringing designers into product development early on! It was very new back then, and a huge lift. We have taken this further and today we continuously work with designers in our product development. Then, of course, there are more of us in the company. It shows, responsibilities have evolved and the organisation has become more efficient. The fact that we became both environmentally and quality certified are also major and important milestones. It enables us to reduce our ecological footprint and ensure the quality of our services and products. The sustainability aspect is a milestone in general for the quality of the products.

Why has quality been such a big part of TreCe's journey?
We want the best products - not the cheapest. Quality is important for us to differentiate ourselves. Take a cabinet, for example. At first glance, the cabinet isn't that special, but we've thought about everything throughout the chain. We deliver the product fully assembled and always use the best materials - hinges, handles, edge strips, surfaces, high-quality castors and so on. We glue, plug and screw the parts together for CombiLine and Space storage furniture, for example. A high-quality product outlasts three "cheaper" variants. What is also important to know is that most of our furniture is Furniture Facts labelled. This means that all parts of the furniture must have been manufactured from an environmental and sustainability perspective, and that the production is done in a proper way. The Swedish National Testing Institute also tests the durability of the furniture. A door on CombiLine can withstand a load of 30 kg. Now that's quality!

Where do you see TreCe in the future?
Our products and series have great potential and we are constantly expanding into new markets. Design and function will continue to live in symbiosis with material choice and the environment. I have seen many products that do not live up to that. Function combined with good design is a winning concept, but then it is important that they come in the right order. Design must not be the controlling factor.