Issue 8/OCTOBER 2015 Customer magazine INMOTION MORE GLASS. MORE SPACE. MORE STABILITY. The Crystal Plus frame drawer offers lots of space for glass and design elements. Page ll SYSTEMATIC AND UNIQUE. Nova Pro Scala drawer sides can be modified with designer panels to suit personal preferences. Page lv/v In line with lightweight design. With Nova Pro Scala we have put this theory into practice for the first time. Page VI/VII Movements Nova Pro Scala has been awarded quality seals for functional product design. In addition to the positive reactions from the specialist jury at the trade fair interzum 2015, the design competence of GRASS was also confirmed by the jury of the interzum Award. For the innovative Nova Pro Scala, GRASS was awarded the high product quality distinction for special design in form and function. Simple. Clear. Timeless. The future of drawer systems. Nova Pro Scala Fascination 4.0 In addition, the latest GRASS drawer generation won the German Design Award 2016. With this internationally renowned prize, the Design Council set itself the aim of discovering, presenting and honouring outstanding design trends. The German Design Award, initiated in 2012, is already one of the most renowned design competitions in the world and is highly regarded far beyond specialist circles. The interzum Award and the German Design Award have encouraged GRASS to continue focusing on innovative movement solutions. Nova Pro Scala sparked the enthusiasm of visitors at the interzum in Cologne, the largest trade fair of the furniture supply industry. Our award-winning stand, where Nova Pro Scala took centre stage, was a real crowd puller. Visitors thronged around the stand to take a look at the latest drawer generation. Designer panels decorated the 10- metre wall of the Nova Pro Scala exhibition area. Trade fair visitors were able to remove them from the wall and fit them to the drawers installed below. There was a lot of photographing, testing and marvelling, and customers were very enthusiastic. Nova Pro Scala is a modular system featuring an award-winning combination of design and functionality. Based on the Nova Pro slide technology that has proven its worth millions of times over, this modular drawer system opens up an entirely new dimension in differentiation.
Page II/ III Jürgen Mischi, Head of Drawer Systems Product Management, found inspiration in the famous design adage form follows function. Design and functionality go hand in hand. Those who are now expecting a new drawer side design will be rubbing their eyes in amazement. Nova Pro Scala is much more than this: The new system family features an unbeatable combination of design, functionality and processability. When Jürgen Mischi reports how Nova Pro Scala came into being, how the project concept became a living drawer system, his eyes light up. As Head of Project Management for the GRASS drawer systems, he took charge of the entire development of the new Nova Pro family from the outset. If he had been able to record the distance he travelled on this path, the numbers would have been impressive: Jürgen Mischi travelled in total more than 40,000 kilometres to drive the new drawer system forward step by step with partners and pilot customers. This is the equivalent of circumnavigating the globe along the equator. Maximum customisation At the beginning of the journey the project management team asked themselves: How can customisation be maximised with a minimalistic drawer side? We had a clear goal tapping completely new potential with the best of Nova Pro, reminisces Jürgen Mischi. The unique features of the slide technology that has proven its worth millions of times over were therefore at the very top of the list of requirements; excellent running characteristics and maximum stability with the very lowest pullout force. The development team added two other ingredients to the unsurpassed basic functions of the GRASS workhorse : design and processability. These two factors catapult the classic drawer design into the furniture-making future. Even the tilt angle adjustment was optimised for the drawer side design with a perfect right angle so that it can be accommodated in a space of exactly 41 millimetres. Slim, seamless and timeless, the Nova Pro Scala design is without compromise. We considered a number of design concepts, comments Jürgen Mischi. When the absolute minimalist form was put on the table, everyone knew this is the one. The clear characteristic visual design not only lends the drawer sides a unique look, but also creates an individual hallmark the Nova Pro Scala will always be recognisable by the 41 mm deep, lower base of the drawer side, either with or without a designer panel. Uncompromisingly unique Jürgen Mischi explains: The intentionally minimalistic design has one decisive and impressive advantage as it offers maximum differentiability and creates completely new options for individual furniture design. This is not only true in a contemporary kitchen environment, but also in a stylish living area or bathroom design. For this reason every kilometre he has travelled in the three-year development period has been worth it. Jürgen Mischi Head of Product Management, With Nova Pro Scala we have succeeded in making a daring vision become reality. We can all be really proud of our achievement. Purist, clear and timeless design The purist design with its characteristic lines, right angles and narrow radii lend the double-wall metal drawer side a timeless, technical and functional look. Homogeneous, end-to-end colour design On Nova Pro Scala all visible plastic parts are covered with steel, eliminating colour differences between the individual parts. Design make-over in line with the holistic design concept Nova Pro Scala is not only formally different from its Classic and Deluxe predecessors, but also has a number of large and small technical improvements. For example, the connections and fixtures for the rectangular railings or the Crystal add-on were reworked and optimised. 41 mm for technology To enable maximum design freedom, the entire slide technology was accommodated in a space of 41 mm. The tilt angle adjustment was also optimised so that it now fits into this space. With track-proven Nova Pro slide technology The quality, stability and smooth running of the Nova Pro slide that has proven its efficiency millions of times over are unsurpassed even today. Nova Pro is the embodiment of ease of opening, excellent running characteristics, low drawer deflection and maximum reliability. These advantages are also features of Nova Pro Scala. New liquid dampers Nova Pro Scala drawers are gently and quietly braked by a liquid damper. A specially developed damping fluid makes closing seem even smoother and softer than before. Andreas Fuchs, Head of Drawer Systems Sales, talking about Nova Pro Scala as an overall solution with apparently unlimited scalability. Systematic differentiation. Crystal Plus. Supreme performance with metal and glass. Contemporary architecture is bright, open and flooded with light. Large glazed areas have replaced the windows of the past. Even interior walls are now more commonly made of transparent materials. Transparency has become a mega-trend. Even furniture is becoming more transparent. With features such as backlit glass fronts, glass shelves and even fully open fronts modern furniture shows what it is made of. Nova Pro Scala offers a unique product solution fully in line with this new openness: the Crystal Plus frame drawer. At the bottom the absolute minimum amount of technical detail, an element holder at the front and back, and the fun can begin! Large design elements with a thickness of eight millimetres can be inserted between the holders. The newly-developed clip technology ensures safe and firm attachment with-out having to prepare the design elements in any way. A special highlight is the tremendous stability of the frame drawer that stabilises the fronts with absolute reliability even when no design element is currently clipped in. Replacing the design elements is therefore child s play. Personal preference then dictates whether glass or another material is used. Andreas Fuchs Head of Sales It has seldom given me so much pleasure to launch a new product. Everyone is so enthusiastic about Nova Pro Scala! Everything that can be said about the Nova Pro double-wall drawer system has already been said. At least you would think so. But with Nova Pro Scala the history of movement systems is being rewritten. The new generation of the overall drawer solution will redefine standards in all living areas and for all types of furniture. Andreas Fuchs, Head of Sales for the double-wall drawer system explains why: Scalability is the magic word when discussing differentiation. Almost all international furniture customers now serve various market segments with different furniture concepts. Determining factors are either the style or the price, and every target group has its own specific expectations. With the inter-compatibility of all Nova Pro systems, GRASS customers can use the Classic drawer side for project business, for example, to be able to offer a very good product at a competitive price. With Nova Pro Scala the same system can now even be upgraded with regard to functionality, design and customisation options for the luxury segment. This is what we mean with maximum scalability. All customers are different, follow their own philosophy, make individual demands and also have special needs and expectations. With its modular variety Nova Pro Scala is able to do justice to these different demands at all times. Around the world, in Berlin, Paris, London, New York or Shanghai, with Nova Pro Scala we can offer every single one of our customers a unique, functional added value for classic, modern or traditional styles that makes opening and closing drawers an aesthetic experience, enthuses the sales expert. The term side wall also gains a completely different dimension A new feature of the Nova Pro range is the 186 mm box drawer side and the Crystal Plus frame drawer. Looking back in time, the classic wooden drawer is nothing more than a four-sided box with a front, says Andreas Fuchs and adds: Strictly speaking, we are going back to the roots when we now supply a 186 mm drawer with high box drawer sides and a purist style for Nova Pro Scala in addition to the 63 mm, 90 mm and 122 mm drawer sides. Unlimited scope for design The Crystal Plus is a special highlight in the Scala family: It is absolutely unique, he adds with a note of pride. With the 41 mm, flat frame drawer, Nova Pro Scala is a high-quality global innovation. There has never been so much scope for design, says Andreas Fuchs with conviction. Variety is a key word with Nova Pro Scala, as the drawer system can be reinvented again and again with its wide range of design and material options. High-quality stone surfaces can be just as harmoniously combined with the timeless metal drawer sides as luxury wood species or completely new materials. The material add-ons can be practically pre-manufactured and simply positioned in the form of designer panels. On the differentiation scale from zero to infinity, the Nova Pro generation is already almost at the top. It not only meets the requirements of innovative furniture manufacturers and efficient processors. Nova Pro Scala sets new standards when it comes to extensibility. Our customers therefore get the drawer they want in a step-by-step process, says Andreas Fuchs with a hint of pride.
Page IV/V Product designer Stefan Ambrozus talking about the dynamic leap forward in the development of Nova Pro Scala. Perfect refinement. Günter Grabher, GRASS Head of Development for Drawer Systems, discusses 18 years of Nova Pro history. If you stop getting better, you stop being good. Companies such as Volkswagen and Airbus are increasingly developing products that are based on successful and trackproven concepts. Product designer Stefan Ambrozus thinks this is a positive development for the economy and the environment. In today s world, product development no longer means having to reinvent the wheel. In the automotive industry and the mechanical engineering sector the latest generations are often based on a product that is already a benchmark. For Stefan Ambrozus, founder of Studio Ambrozus, this makes sense: It s great if you have a super product such as the Nova Pro drawer system, he commented. A development that is a technical refinement of this product concept is a major economic and ecological step forward. After all, due to constant optimisation, Nova Pro is in line with the latest developments in slide technology. Nothing could be more to the point It s great how much know-how GRASS has accumulated over the years. Just take a look at the front connection. If a 41 mm drawer side can reliably bear the considerable weight of a full drawer with high fronts, this is a tremendous achievement. The technological Nova Pro competence ultimately made the modern, minimalistic design of Nova Pro Scala conceivable. For the designer team this means barely visible connection parts to achieve the extremely With the streamlined design of Nova Pro Scala the designer panels fit with a snug connection. Stefan Ambrozus Product designer Studio Ambrozus, Cologne GRASS movement systems create focal points but they are and remain an integral element of the customer s design. harmonious surface. Even the extremely fine laser-welded seam becomes a luxury and unique design element. It is exactly this manufacturing precision and quality that gives us the freedom to cover components in such a crisp manner. Wear-free aesthetics During the decision-making process it became clear relatively quickly that the purist, minimalist Scala form was the winning design. Ambrozus is confident this form is headed in exactly the right direction: It has a visual design that will remain impressive in the long term. The whole team focused a great deal of attention on achieving this goal and it was often reviewed. This was an intensive and high-quality process that ensures certainty. Be different. Stand out from the crowd. Differentiation can be so simple. In many areas it is becoming increasingly important to not only stand out in comparison with direct competitors, but also to diversify ranges in response to different requirements, target groups and price segments. This means that when you are looking for success, differentiation is a major priority. This simple rule applies equally to all products; to the kitchen, living area and bathroom furniture of our customers as well as to the GRASS movement systems. It is therefore even more important that with Nova Pro Scala our developers have succeeded in creating a drawer system with which we can give our industrial, commercial and trade customers a fantastic tool for differentiation. Nova Pro Scala enables the creation of styles, functions and values which make that decisive difference. With Nova Pro Scala every piece of furniture is given its own identity. Being able to change the aesthetic perception of a drawer when it is installed that would be innovative, we thought. And with the add-on Nova Pro Scala designer panels this concept has become reality, Head of Development Günter Grabher explains. The rectangular form of the Scala drawer side makes it possible: The magnetic L-profiles are not only easy to attach, but fit snugly to the drawer sides. This offers an entire cornucopia of new possibilities. Ash, maple, walnut, mineral or metal almost any material and all colours harmonise perfectly with the modern steel surface of Nova Pro Scala. Nova Pro Scala Facts Drawer side heights 63 mm, 90 mm, 122 mm, 186 mm Nominal lengths 250 650 mm Colours ICE, Stone, Silver DRAWER VERSIONS H186 BOX DRAWER, Crystal Plus FRAME DRAWER, RECTANGULAR railing, Crystal add-on system Customisation DESIGNER PANELS can be added to the drawer sides Segmentation One slide for Nova Pro Scala, Nova Pro Classic and Nova pro Deluxe Perfect movement Best running characteristics with load capacities of up to 70 kg Closing comfort New Soft-close technology Günter Grabher Head of Development Designer panels in the form of L-profiles create a wide range of differentiation options and make each item unique. 41 x 23 mm. That s all we allowed for the technical components. But we created all the more scope for our customers. During the development of the classic GRASS Nova Pro we set ourselves the challenge of making a fantastic product even better, says Günter Grabher, describing the initial situation. And with Nova Pro Scala we have succeeded in creating a system that will not only exceed the high expectations, but that also epitomises 18 years of Nova Pro expertise. If as with Nova Pro the success of a concept has proven its worth over a decade, any modifications must be very carefully considered. The aim of Günter Grabher and his team of developers was therefore to leave the track-proven technology inside the high-tech drawer but to accommodate it in the smallest possible space, leaving the design passion of the furniture designers as much free rein as possible. The result is an evolution on the basis of the renowned Nova Pro concept: Nova Pro Scala. The success story of Nova Pro started 18 years ago Günter Grabher is very familiar with the history of the first double-wall drawer system of its era with full synchronisation. No wonder. The chief developer for Nova Pro was closely involved in this success story. With a twinkle in his eye he calls himself the originator of the Nova concept that started 18 years ago with Nova Metro. But Günter Grabher isn t someone who spends time looking back. The experienced innovation manager prefers to look forward and puts all his passion into further development of the classic design. Nova Pro has been and will continue to be optimised, as this is ultimately the only way the success of the system can be maintained, he adds. Systematically modular As the American industrialist Henry Ford once said; You can always do everything better than it is being done now, and in keeping with this insight Nova Pro is now experiencing a rebirth in the form of Nova Pro Scala. The design characteristics of the double-walled drawer sides are now slimmer than ever with Nova Pro Scala, even clearer, even more purist. However, design is only one side of this global innovation; the modular character of Nova Pro Scala was much more important to the development team. You can also call it sustainability, emphasises Günter Grabher. He is referring to the system concept behind Nova Pro Scala. The varied possibilities that the Scala family offers makes this drawer system interesting for all living spaces and all target groups. It can be just as harmoniously integrated into a contemporary kitchen as well as into office, bathroom or living room furniture. This was the ambitious goal we had when we were developing Nova Pro, the chief developer explains. Creating a system that can satisfy the widest range of requirements due to its modular system but that never looks uniform. A unique pallet of options For Günter Grabher this is clearly proves how consistently GRASS redesigned Nova Pro: We wanted to design a drawer system with an endto-end appeal that is characterised by its tremendous versatility and maximum efficiency in the use of materials. The result is a visually unique product family that opens up new perspectives for interior design fans: from the classic drawer in three heights (63 mm, 90 mm, 122 mm), to the closed 186 mm box drawer, the drawer with rectangular railing, the Crystal addon system and the new Crystal Plus frame drawer to the completely new, extensible designer panels in different materials. Nova Pro Scala offers everything that furniture hearts desire. The fact that the new Scala drawer system is also compatible with the existing Classic and Deluxe systems means that furniture designers, manufacturers and carpenters have a unique pallet of options to give furniture a cutting-edge interior, the chief developer summarises with visible satisfaction.
Page VI/VII Less is more. Nova Pro Scala is the first holistic lightweight design product from GRASS. Harald Klüh, Global Brand Manager, addresses everyday and tried-and-tested questions to take products into a pioneering future. Cannot be pigeonholed. Coming up with surprises, always treading new paths and still remaining true to your own principles this is the GRASS philosophy. And Nova Pro Scala incorporates all the features that also make the GRASS brand so special. Our brand is creative, dynamic, passionate, open and advanced; and our future developments will be in keeping with this guiding principle. Modern products are only as good as your ability to market them, explains brand expert Harald Klüh. This is the great difference to the past when it seemed to be enough to turn engineering skills into functional systems. Today GRASS products have to satisfy a whole range of different requirements. Movement systems are much more than technical components. They are functional design elements, differentiation features and emotional brand ambassadors in one. Interaction between development, product design and brand identity For this reason it s even more important that brand management and marketing managers are included in the development process of new products, explains Harald Klüh further. In the case of Nova Pro Scala this interaction between the GRASS developers worked perfectly. The result is a unique product solution that not only offers our customers the maximum possible differentiation, but will also take the GRASS brand into the future. It shows that we have taken a great step forward on the path from a classic fittings manufacturer to a contemporary brand name for movement systems, the Brand Manager summarises. But this is only the beginning. The world is changing rapidly all the time and we have to keep on questioning the status quo. Industrial partners know what happens when the GRASS Global Brand Manager comes around. The impassioned lateral and out-of-the-box thinker Harald Klüh also questions the entire ABC of the furniture sector. Only someone like him thinks of asking whether drawers actually need stable side elements. The technical analysis alone is not an answer that will satisfy him. There is literally nothing that we shouldn t question, says Harald Klüh. There are always new materials, new manufacturing processes and our perception of everyday things is constantly changing. Perceptual habits change We expect a racing bike to be light, explains Harald Klüh. We equate a lower weight with a higher manufacturing quality. However, we think a small, light loudspeaker is cheap. Consumers associate thin-walled porcelain with a high level of material quality and craftsmanship. When we look at a thin mattress, however, we expect to get back pains. And the hollow sound that a cycle helmet makes when we knock it shows that very lightweight but stable materials are protecting our heads. In contrast, the hollow sound that a car door makes when we close it makes us question the safety of the passenger cell. Perceptions change, repeats Harald Klüh, who follows the predictions of future researchers very closely: The design demands are growing and are extending through to the interior of furniture. Subtle, taste-related changes are one thing. The question as to how and where we will be living the day after tomorrow is another. Exciting developments, is what the Global Brand Manager is expecting in the increasingly fluid layouts of our living spaces. With Nova Pro Scala, the furniture is already very well equipped today to meet the complex demands of tomorrow. Harald Klüh GRASS Brand Manager Developing new products in keeping with what the GRASS brand stands for means being courageous, daring to experiment and tread new paths. Doubling wealth, halving resource use. What is lightweight design? Lightweight design is not a new trend, not a new design principle, but a visionary concept with a long history. The triumphal march of lightweight design started at the end of the nineties. The pioneering book Factor Four was published by Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, Amory B. Lovins and his wife L. Hunter Lovins at the time. In the preface, Ricardo Diez Hochleitner, President of the Club of Rome wrote: The Club of Rome hopes that Factor Four will become a new catchword. Doubling wealth, halving resource use this is pivotal for what the first global revolution will demand of us. Lightweight design searches for efficiency in all areas of life to enhance the quality of life. With more efficient lighting we would be able to see more, food keeps longer in newly developed refrigerators, more efficient factories produce high-quality goods, we can travel more safely and comfortably in efficient vehicles, we feel more at home in efficient buildings built with biological materials and are better nourished with food that has been produced with efficient ecological methods. Lightweight design therefore means fewer resources, less weight and waste for heightened sustainability, a higher quality of life, more independence and greater freedom. When we look at objects such as TVs and mobile phones, things that we see, touch and hear every day, it becomes clear that the appearance and performance of products are constantly changing. The revolutionary invention of smartphones is undergoing constant change; they are becoming even thinner, lighter but still more powerful. This development that has become normal in many areas is based on lightweight design. One fantastic example of lightweight design is the RECARO aircraft seat. The well-padded aircraft seats are becoming increasingly replaced by thinner and lighter but technically more advanced seats. These have enhanced seating comfort without any negative effects. Lightweight design has therefore become increasing regarded as a quality feature. Nature is the best role model for modern technology. Natural processes are always energy-efficient. This is where we found inspiration and developed Nova Pro Scala in accordance with the principles of lightweight design. We first presented our guiding principle on which the latest product developments are based at interzum. At GRASS we have been focusing on the topic of lightweight design for a number of years, reveals Thomas Müller, member of the GRASS board. It s also really fascinating how some revolutionary product concepts have already evolved on the basis of this philosophy; from aircraft seats to the PET bottle, adds brand expert Klüh. At first the statement less is more sounds like a hackneyed cliché. However, in the context of lightweight design it gains a completely different meaning. Lightweight design attempts to combine two highly contradictory conceptual approaches. To achieve more by economy. Efficiency is therefore the actual keyword when it comes to lightweight design, says Harald Klüh, pinpointing the fundamental principle. Lightweight design does not necessarily involve saving material or anything else but it does mean tapping new possibilities, Thomas Müller explains. With Nova Pro Scala we have put this theory into practice in the drawer systems for the first time and developed a GRASS product fully in line with the principles of lightweight design. Nova Pro Scala not only means less space for the technical components and therefore less complexity, fewer parts, less logistics, less environmental impact and less storage space for our customers on the one hand, but also greater design scope, more comfort, greater flexibility, more individuality, a higher level of process reliability and greater differentiation on the other.
Page VIII INMOTION. THE CUSTOMER MAGAZINE. With Nova Pro Scala board member Thomas Müller offers an all-inclusive package. Complexity? No way! The GRASS time-to-market process was very fast with Nova Pro Scala. The result of this sporty performance is a modular concept that not only offers the highest quality, unique design and numerous differentiation options, but also enables a previously unachieved processing and installation simplicity. All product managers and developers have their offices in the main building at Grass Platz 1 in Höchst, many even on the same floor. For the drawer specialists at GRASS it is a part of daily life to meet briefly at one table to catch up on the latest project developments. For Thomas Müller, member of the GRASS board, this is a very decisive advantage. It brings us together, he adds with conviction. A project such as Nova Pro Scala is something very special. We were all extremely motivated from the outset. Smart processes with customised technologies This is definitely a reason why it was possible to minimise the time-to-market process for the drawer system from the initial analysis of the market requirements to the rapid industrialisation process. In the simultaneous engineering process the product and production development were closely meshed and therefore optimally coordinated. Four technologies are used for the innovative Nova Pro Scala drawer: punching, powder coating, welding and final assembly. Welding is one of the main challenges. While the designers were still working on the design details, Thomas Müller and his team were already busy developing the individual technology for a laser welding system with GRASS s own know-how. We are using a completely new laser welding process for Nova Pro Scala. It enables an excellent connection of high fronts. The board member is obviously very pleased with the innovation that ensures stability under heavy loads. Decisive process advantages The production of Nova Pro Scala needs 40 per cent less processing time and involves the extremely sparing use of resources in accordance with the Toyota principle. The optimised line production enables GRASS to demonstrate a completely new quality of supply capability. With the overall drawer solution the movement specialist offers its customers maximum customisation with minimum production complexity. This can be regarded as an all-inclusive, worryfree package for our customers, emphasises Thomas Müller. The name Nova Pro Scala therefore becomes synonymous with efficiency and flexibility, as the drawer system not only reduces the number of operations but also creates conditions for lean logistics and minimised warehousing. This is a premium product that enables economical manufacturing which makes every cent count. Thomas Müller Member of the Management Board GRASS Austria Nova Pro Scala contains the concentrated technological competence of GRASS. Lean processes and maximum efficiency are the key factors for successful product solutions. Maximum output. Made in Austria and inspired by Japan. Nova Pro Scala is much more than outstanding functionality and contemporary design. The drawer system has impressive production advantages. Valuable time and resources can be saved during every step in production. Inspired by the Toyota Production System, the efficient Nova Pro Scala production is based on finely-tuned processes in which only the actually required component quantities are used exactly when they are needed. This requires a sophisticated produc- tion plan that coordinates product quantities and variety. The aim of such planning is to eradicate waste in any form. The definition of waste is clear everything that does not add value to the product must be avoided. Thomas Müller is convinced of the merits of TPS: Maximum quality, optimised life cycles, lower costs and an even higher degree of supply reliability in the line production of Nova Pro Scala our customers are welcome to gauge us by these advantages. Toyota production system TPS stands for Toyota Production System or Thinking People System Where does it come from? Toyoda Sakichi laid the foundations for the Jidōka principle in 1902 Fundamental principle Continuous improvement of processes and prevention of waste Constant improvement of quality, costs, delivery, environmental impact and safety Legal information: Media owner and publisher: GRASS GmbH 6973 Höchst/Austria Grass Platz 1 www.grass.eu GRASS GmbH does not accept any liability for any printing or typographical errors October 2015 EN 3.100 F147102491001