Interview RAK Porcelain
As RAK Porcelain Europe marks its 20th anniversary, the company is walking into Q4 having seen record numbers in the first half of 2025. Director of operations Sven Bodry talks to Tableware International about how the company has developed its CSR objectives and integrated them into RAK’s everyday operations. We also explore how working with chefs has helped invigorate the brand’s product developement and we ask whether there is a disconnect between the tableware sector and the buying public…
“Collaboration is truly at the heart of our product development” Sven, thank you for speaking with Tableware International. Looking back over the first half of 2025, what is your professional summary of the tabletop sector thus far? Thank you for having me. Looking back at the first half of 2025, I would describe the tabletop sector as dynamic yet increasingly complex. Overall, demand has been very positive, but it’s clear that not every region is performing equally — some markets are still finding their balance. At RAK Porcelain, we have managed this situation very 40 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
well and in a very positive way. We’ve not only maintained strong positions in our core markets but also succeeded in entering new business segments that are not the classical segments where we traditionally play. For example, we have expanded into the sports and leisure environment — an area with huge potential — and we’ve already been able to close significant deals and generate high volumes there. At the same time, we see that distributors and end-users are more discerning than ever — they’re not just looking for great design, but
for proven durability, responsible sourcing, and service reliability. Trends like mix-and-match concepts, customisation, and the integration of new materials continue to shape collections in fresh ways, but the fundamentals remain: operators want tabletop solutions that help them deliver memorable guest experiences while managing operational costs. Overall, the sector is moving forward with cautious optimism — innovation, stock reliability, and clear added value are more critical than ever. And we at RAK Porcelain Europe are very proud that we have
finished our first half of 2025 with record numbers — all this while celebrating our 20th anniversary.
RAK is one of the major tableware brands operating globally, do you feel a responsibility to lead the industry by example? And by that, I mean, in the way you operate your manufacturing facilities, and conduct RAK business generally? Absolutely — as one of the major global players in the tableware sector, we feel a clear responsibility to