Our History

1968

Klaus and Beatrix Nienkämper purchased 300 King Steet East with Don Wallace and restored the 1845 building to house the first showroom.

1970

Peter and Robert Haussmann provided the first Swiss Design pieces to be manufactured under license in Canada.

1976

Canadian Government with Arthur Erickson commision Nienkämper to build the furniture for Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s office.

1978

Opens new manufacturing facility on Howden Road in Scarborough, 40 staff, 25,000 ft sq.

1986

Opens first US showroom in Soho New York.

1987

Nienkämper introduces RS48 Schultz Chair by world renowned designer Richard Schultz.

1992

Nienkämper introduces the Carlisle Chair by Yabu Pushelberg.

1994

ABSOLUT Vodka pays homage to a Nienkämper classic featuring the Baden Sofa in ABSOLUT ad campaign.

2005

HAB Chair by Brigitte Shim & Howard Sutcliffe of Shim-Sutcliffe Architects wins Good Design Award.

2006

Kloud Collection by Karim Rashid wins Good Design Award.

2011

Metronome™ Collection by Fig40 wins Red Dot and Good Design awards.

2013

Gateway™ Collection by Busk+Hertzog wins Good Design Award and IIDEX/ NeoCon Gold.

2014

Bass Lounge Collection by Busk+Hertzog wins Good Design Award.

2016

Hadi Table by Hadi Teherani wins Good Design award.

2022

Rowan Collection by Yabu Pushelberg wins Good Design, NeoCon Silver and Interior Design Best of Year awards.

1973

Klaus sponsors the Ultra Mobile collection to be exhibited at the ROM and at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

1974

Knoll appoints Nienkämper to be their licensed manufacturer for the Canadian market until 1987.

1982

Thomas Lamb is appointed to become Nienkämper’s design director and principal designer.

1985

Opens larger manufacturing facility at 415 Finchdene Square in Scarborough, staff of 100, 48,000 ft sq.

1989

Canadian Government with Arthur Erickson commission Nienkämper to build the furniture for the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC. Skydome opens with Nienkämper furniture in many areas including Blue Jays corporate office.

1990

Nienkämper sponsors the first Student Design Competitions for furniture in Canada.

1997

Introduction of the Vox® line of conference tables that effectively double the company’s sales.

1998

Nienkämper 30 year retrospective exhibition shown at Canada’s Centre for Design “Design Exchange” as well as the Chicago Athenaeum.

2000

Nienkämper is given the National “Export Award” by then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.

2001

Nienkämper incorporated woodworking and upholstery facilites at 257 Finchdene Square include 120,000 ft sq, with 170 employees.

2002

King Street Showroom is converted into a retail designer destination for imported furniture and accessories under Klaus Nienkämper.

2007

Daniel Libeskind/Klaus Nienkämper collaboration for the Spirit House Chair, Royal Ontario Museum. Sales of 40 million and a staff of 200.

2008

Nienkämper celebrates 40 year anniversary at Royal Ontario Museum.

2009

Nienkämper is awarded contract with KAUST - the largest LEED® Platinum project in the world.

2018

Nienkämper celebrates its 50th anniversary in Toronto with noted designers and media.

2020

Twist Chair by Patkau Architects wins Good Design and Best of Canada Award.

2021

Metronome™ Trestle by Fig40 recognized with Metropolis-Likes Award.

2023

Rowan Collection by Yabu Pushelberg wins Good Design, NeoCon Silver and Interior Design Best of Year awards.

1968

Klaus and Beatrix Nienkämper purchased 300 King Steet East with Don Wallace and restored the 1845 building to house the first showroom.

1970

Peter and Robert Haussmann provided the first Swiss Design pieces to be manufactured under license in Canada.

1973

Klaus sponsors the Ultra Mobile collection to be exhibited at the ROM and at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

1974

Knoll appoints Nienkämper to be their licensed manufacturer for the Canadian market until 1987.

1976

Canadian Government with Arthur Erickson commision Nienkämper to build the furniture for Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s office.

1978

Opens new manufacturing facility on Howden Road in Scarborough, 40 staff, 25,000 ft sq.

1982

Thomas Lamb is appointed to become Nienkämper’s design director and principal designer.

1985

Opens larger manufacturing facility at 415 Finchdene Square in Scarborough, staff of 100, 48,000 ft sq.

1986

Opens first US showroom in Soho New York.

1987

Nienkämper introduces RS48 Schultz Chair by world renowned designer Richard Schultz.

1989

Canadian Government with Arthur Erickson commission Nienkämper to build the furniture for the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC. Skydome opens with Nienkämper furniture in many areas including Blue Jays corporate office.

1990

Nienkämper sponsors the first Student Design Competitions for furniture in Canada.

1992

Nienkämper introduces the Carlisle Chair by Yabu Pushelberg.

1994

ABSOLUT Vodka pays homage to a Nienkämper classic featuring the Baden Sofa in ABSOLUT ad campaign.

1997

Introduction of the Vox® line of conference tables that effectively double the company’s sales.

1998

Nienkämper 30 year retrospective exhibition shown at Canada’s Centre for Design “Design Exchange” as well as the Chicago Athenaeum.

2000

Nienkämper is given the National “Export Award” by then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.

2001

Nienkämper incorporated woodworking and upholstery facilites at 257 Finchdene Square include 120,000 ft sq, with 170 employees.

2002

King Street Showroom is converted into a retail designer destination for imported furniture and accessories under Klaus Nienkämper.

2005

HAB Chair by Brigitte Shim & Howard Sutcliffe of Shim-Sutcliffe Architects wins Good Design Award.

2006

Kloud Collection by Karim Rashid wins Good Design Award.

2007

Daniel Libeskind/Klaus Nienkämper collaboration for the Spirit House Chair, Royal Ontario Museum. Sales of 40 million and a staff of 200.

2008

Nienkämper celebrates 40 year anniversary at Royal Ontario Museum.

2009

Nienkämper is awarded contract with KAUST - the largest LEED® Platinum project in the world.

2011

Metronome™ Collection by Fig40 wins Red Dot and Good Design awards.

2013

Gateway™ Collection by Busk+Hertzog wins Good Design Award and IIDEX/ NeoCon Gold.

2014

Bass Lounge Collection by Busk+Hertzog wins Good Design Award.

2016

Hadi Table by Hadi Teherani wins Good Design award.

2018

Nienkämper celebrates its 50th anniversary in Toronto with noted designers and media.

2020

Twist Chair by Patkau Architects wins Good Design and Best of Canada Award.

2021

Metronome™ Trestle by Fig40 recognized with Metropolis-Likes Award.

2022

Rowan Collection by Yabu Pushelberg wins Good Design, NeoCon Silver and Interior Design Best of Year awards.

2023

Rowan Collection by Yabu Pushelberg wins Good Design, NeoCon Silver and Interior Design Best of Year awards.

© Nienkamper International, Inc.