Gerd Bulthaup dies

Gerd Bulthaup, managing partner of the premium German kitchen brand that bears his family name, has died aged 75 after a short illness.

Born in 1944, Gerd Bulthaup took over the family firm in 1978 from his father and founder Martin Bulthaup.

It was Gerd who in the 1980s persuaded designer and pioneer of the ‘corporate identity’ concept Otl Aicher to collaborate with Bulthaup, following the Bauhaus “form follows function” ethos that became central to the development of its new products.

Alex Wrighton, managing director of the company’s two central London showrooms, said: “It was a pleasure and honour to work with Gerd Bulthaup over the years as we developed the brand in the UK. He was a truly inspirational mentor to so many of us in the business and will surely be missed.”

Marc Eckert, Gerd’s nephew and grandson of Martin Bulthaup, took over as chief executive of Bulthaup in 2010 and continues to run it, ensuring that the ethos of his forebears underpins its developments in a changing world as a global brand.

Home > News > Gerd Bulthaup dies