Design brand Verk takes local production one — big — step further

As we see a clear rise in local production and raw materials in lifestyle products, there will always be those taking it one step further. And then, there’s Verk. 

Although co-founder Simon Anund met a lot of skepticism when he first started looking into the possibilities of manufacturing furniture locally, the Swedish company was launched during Stockholm Design Week earlier this year. All the products are produced in Sweden and made exclusively from Swedish raw materials — all the way from the texel wool used in all upholstered furniture (instead of plastic materials like polyurethane foam padding that often is used) to surface finish — without compromising on comfort or design. The label had to come up with rather unconventional solutions. 

— The screws that we use are made from Swedish steel. We teamed up with a precision mechanic company and developed our own, when there were no Swedish screws to buy. The same goes for many other components, unfortunately, says Lina Rocca, head of sales. 

The first collection includes designs by David Ericsson, Linn Fredlund, Mia Cullin, Joacim Wahlström, Nils Ahrenberg, and Gustav Winsth. 

— It has been extremely educational — not to mention challenging — to map the small manufacturing industry that still exists in Sweden. Hopefully, we can help bring about a change and encourage more players to think about how and where they produce their furniture, says Simon Anund. 

This is #10 on our list with 25 Innovations for better living from Scandinavian MIND Issue 2

1. Here’s the first furniture brand to publish their climate footprint
2. Unique Bio2 textile can make a change in our polluted world
3. Patented technology can turn the eyewear industry circular
4. Filtration technology saves you from hidden pollution at home
5. This Swedish collective launches line with skincare for objects
6. Powder to liquid wash can change personal care as we know it
7. This household product line cleans with all-natural sugar surfactants
8. Spinnova’s textile fibre might be the world’s most groundbreaking
9. Here’s how AI can be used to create your ultimate personal scent