ALNO USA Corp. News – Lothar C. Birkenfeld Joins Alno AG

March 26, 2012 - PRLog -- With more than 30-plus years of experience in the industry, Mr. Birkenfeld qualifies as one of the most experienced high-level executives in the kitchen and bath manufacturing industry in the United States and will now oversee operations for Alno AG in North America.  
Having demonstrated successful leadership in the import and manufacture of European cabinetry in the US with companies such as Poggenpohl Möbelwerke GmbH (12 years) and Allmilmö Zeiler Möbelwerke GmbH & Co. KG  (20-plus years), Lothar C. Birkenfeld’s exceptional management knowledge will serve to further build the world’s second largest kitchen manufacturer in Germany; focusing on growth, profit increase, corporate adherence, quality control, personnel management and organization in the United States.
Prior to joining Alno USA Corp., Birkenfeld developed and implemented a successful business platform for high-end kitchen and furniture company, Allmilmo. As President of Poggenpohl, he led the company to its highest sales volume and acclaim in less than ten years. He is one of few industry executives with the uniquely diversified background of sales and marketing, engineering and kitchen and bath design and was the first to introduce and market modern, European-made kitchen cabinets to the US. Through his influence, “European cabinetry” became a coined phrase and an industry standard in American kitchen design.
Mr. Birkenfeld has won several awards. In 2007, he was inducted into the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s most prestigious award program: the Kitchen and Bath Industry Hall of Fame. “Through their innovation, leadership and commitment to excellence,” notes NKBA press material, “each individual has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the kitchen and bath industry.” He has also been awarded three first place national kitchen and bath competitions as well as the Custom Builder Magazine Award.

Birkenfeld’s background as a mechanical engineer helped him develop the technical expertise in designing high-end contemporary kitchens and baths. In 1982, Birkenfeld became a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). In 1990, the NKBA also certified him as one of the first 10 Certified Bath Designers (CBD) in the U.S. In 1970, Birkenfeld was responsible for the delivery and installation of the first European manufactured kitchens in North America at the acclaimed Palm Bay Towers condominium in Miami. He has participated in and conducted hundreds of Kitchen Design/Sales Seminars over the years and is approved to present to the members of the American Institute of Architects for CEU accreditation.  

About ALNO AG
ALNO AG is one of the leading kitchen furniture manufacturers in Germany and is second in manufacturing in the world. The company employs 1,800 people at its headquarters in Pfullendorf, Germany and has large factories in Enger, Brilon and Coswig-Klieken. In addition to the four production sites in Germany, it also has three subsidiaries in other countries. ALNO AG has production site in Dubai, UAE, which was established in 2005. This makes ALNO AG the first kitchen manufacturer in Europe to have a production facility in the Middle East specifically for local market requirements. ALNO AG also has co-operations with 7,000 sales partners in 64 countries.
The business field includes the development, production and marketing of kitchen furniture and the sale of electrical appliances and accessories. ALNO AG serves the most diverse customer target groups and price segments with its four brands, ALNO AG (premium segment, WELLMANN (classically modern), IMPULS (minimalist) and PINO (entry level segment). With an annual turnover of approx.$ 630 million in 2010, ALNO AG is Germany‘s second largest and Europe’s fourth largest kitchen manufacturer.
ALNO AG not only represents tradition and quality, but is also consistently working to further develop its four brands in design, innovation and modernity. Surveys have confirmed that ALNO AG is the best known furniture brand in Germany.