Hands up if you have heard of Le Klint? Good, you should do, but I’m not embarrassed to say that I knew next to nothing about this company.
PV Jensen Klint was an architect who had designed a stoneware oil lamp which needed an appropriate shade. What does the gifted and curious designer do? He invents a unique product, why silly! A lamp shade with folding across the pleats if you are really trying to impress.
Tage Klint, son of PV Jensen, was the creative entrepreneur who in 1943 chose to turn the family’s artistically folded lamp shades into a regular business. He also added a crucial detail to the original shades; the unique “collar” at the top of the lamp, designed to fix the shade to the metal stand. Furthermore, he designed a number of lamps which have all been a part of LE KLINT’s assortment.
In 1953 his son, Jan Klint, took over the company. As a business man, he was years ahead of his time. In order to secure his employees, he created a fund which has since 1972 been in charge of the company LE KLINT. In addition, the fund supports former employees, designers and architects.
How cool is that? In the words of Little Britain “Want that one“.
NEW blog post: Le Klint, le lampe http://bit.ly/ffqkKK #dbcollective
I love them! Especially the desk lamp with the blue stand…
Really good to hear about the fund for the employees, very forward thinking shame more companies don’t do that sort of thing.
Yes, it’s a great idea. I wonder how profitable it is. Vitsœ is the only other company that I have come across that which has a focus on the employees within its make-up.