Interview Stölzle Lausitz
Find them at Ambiente! Stölzle Lausitz will have a new stand (Hall 12.1, C23) at Ambiente and invites you to join them at the Born in Fire bar for a cocktail.
Investing in the future Leopold Grupp, CEO, Stölzle Lausitz GmbH tells Tableware International about fresh project launches – including a new factory – and discusses the success of the German Design Award-winning Cocoon series…
There is a lot happening in the Stölzle Lausitz camp – a lot. Fresh from the Cocoon series winning a 2024 German Design Award, the company is now focused on unveiling its new stand at Ambiente in Hall 12.1, C23, but even more importantly, this year sees the opening of the brand’s new factory. “It has been an exciting year for us,” agrees CEO Leopold Grupp. “It has been focused on innovation. We have created incredible new products, achieved a weight milestone with lightweight glasses at around 123g, and introduced a new methodology to create completely new shapes in our factory, like the Cocoon series. Moreover, our project on non-rotation symmetric shapes is underway, promising more unveilings throughout the year. And
finally, we improved our bar lines, including Soho’s transformation into a complete bar line, and the introduction of the very elegant and lightweight Kyoto bar line. We have new alternatives for existing coupes and Nick&Nora glasses.” All this, plus the aforementioned new facility, which will launch later this year and promises to be one of the most advanced crystal facilities globally, positions Stölzle Lausitz as, potentially, the largest crystal manufacturer in the world. “Located just half an hour away from our current factory, it will complement and extend our existing operations, significantly increasing our market responsiveness,” Mr Grupp explains. “The product range will include two-piece stems, pulled stems, heavy tumblers and light tumblers, allowing us to produce a more casual product while, more importantly, elevating the already exceptional quality of our
premium products.” Explaining why Stölzle Lausitz has decided to invest so much in a new facility, the CEO says: “We strongly believe in our mission and our brand. Stölzle Lausitz possesses an exceptional expertise and a highly dedicated team, that it is only right to invest in this remarkable company. As an emerging glass brand, considered one of the youngest in the industry, we’ve already experienced significant growth. To sustain and build upon this success, expanding our capacity is essential for further growth.” As for the brand’s aspirations for 2024, Mr Grupp finishes: “We’re thrilled about the prospects for 2024! With the addition of new team members, a revitalised brand, innovative products and technologies, and the launch of our state-of-the-art factory, the year holds immense promise for us. We are enthusiastic about the journey ahead with our fantastic team.”
Did you know? Stölzle Lausitz has a new mixology series launching soon which aligns with the brand’s concept of elegant simplicity and exceptionally lightweight glassware. “This idea has been brewing for a while, and we’re eager to see how it resonates with the new generation of mixologists,” says CEO, Leopold Grupp. 120 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
On the success of Cocoon “We are delighted by the overwhelmingly positive reception of the Cocoon in the market. As anticipated, the unique shape of the glass has sparked polarising discussions, which we view as a positive outcome, invigorating conversations among passionate glassware enthusiasts. The extensive data analysis invested in the Cocoon line validates the reliability and efficacy of our data-driven approach. The feedback from sommeliers, winemakers and wine lovers, has been consistently positive, with people expressing awe at the transformative impact the glass has on the wine-drinking experience. It’s fascinating and well worth trying. The Cocoon series also serves as a manifest to our craftsmanship. Its lightweight design makes it challenging to distinguish from handmade glass, highlighting our capabilities in terms of weight, glass distribution, and intricate forming. This reinforces our commitment to excellence in every aspect of our craft.”