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Strong design and strong brands belong together. This belief unites us and all our members of the foundation German Design Council, no matter what sector they operate in. The network of the German Design Council consists of 330 renowned companies and individuals in different areas of the design-relevant industry.
Pioneers in Brand Management
Interbrand Turns 50
Brand management has never been more important. What used to be just a logo or a wordmark to distinguish a product or service has evolved into a complex ecosystem of touchpoints, interactions, and experiences.
Over the last 50 years, Interbrand has grown from a naming specialist into one of the world’s leading global brand consultancies, with offices across every continent. Along the way, they’ve been true pioneers, developing tools and methodologies that have become industry standards. One of their most notable contributions was redefining brand valuation—putting a monetary value on a brand as an asset, transforming how financial markets evaluated companies.
Now part of Omnicom's brand consulting group, Interbrand continues to deliver transformative programmes for some of the world’s most iconic brands. In today’s world, it’s not just about the product anymore—the brand is the real growth driver.
Congratulations to Interbrand on 50 incredible years!
„Always better“
MIELE CELEBRATES 125 YEARS OF QUALITY AND INNOVATION
It all started in 1899 with the "Meteor" milk centrifuge and just eleven employees in a former grain mill. Soon after, a butter churn was added. In 1901, the founders, Carl Miele Sr. and Reinhard Zinkann, introduced the first Miele washing machine. Since then, the company, which has been headquartered in Gütersloh since 1907, has grown from an agricultural equipment supplier into a leading premium provider of high-quality appliances for kitchens, laundry, and floor care. Today, the globally successful high-tech company operates in 49 countries.
With appliances designed to be user-friendly, durable, energy-efficient, recyclable, and easy to repair, Miele is actively advancing environmental and climate protection. The brand’s guiding principle of "Immer besser” (“Always better"), which the founders first inscribed on their earliest machines, remains just as true today.
125 years of Miele – congratulations on this anniversary!
Showcasing architecture in the perfect light
Foundation member ERCO celebrates 90 years
Light is essential. Light is poetic. Light creates atmosphere. Since 1934, Erco has been providing perfect lighting. Initially, the company, founded in Lüdenscheid, Westphalia, and still family-owned today, only produced parts for luminaires. Shortly afterward, it began manufacturing complete household lamps. From the 1960s onwards, ERCO evolved into the leading company for architectural lighting in Europe. Without them, landmarks like Milan Cathedral, the German Chancellery, and Sydney's Central Station would be left in the shadows. Since 2015, ERCO has been the first traditional lighting manufacturer with a product range entirely based on LED technology. This shows that the Sauerland family business is also at the forefront of energy-saving within its market segment.
90 years of ERCO – congratulations on your anniversary!
Furniture? A matter of the heart!
COR celebrates a double anniversary
Combining outstanding design with solid and durable craftsmanship: COR is one of the few German furniture manufacturers that has impressively managed this since its beginnings, while also remaining economically successful. For COR (Latin for heart), living is a matter of the heart. Attractive design, high-quality materials, and the work of experienced hands have guaranteed long-lasting furniture of the highest quality since the company was founded in 1954.
The 'Conseta' sofa, designed in 1964 by interior designer and COR employee Friedrich W. Möller, has become the greatest success in the history of the Westphalian company. At the time, it was one of the very first modular furniture programmes. Even after 60 years, this modern classic remains virtually unchanged in the collection. The CORever initiative ensures that this centrepiece, as well as all other aging COR furniture, is repaired or refurbished so that nothing stands in the way of sustainability and future anniversaries.
70 years of COR, 60 years of Conseta - congratulations on the double anniversary!
Companies
![[Translate to Englisch:] Stiftungsmitglied Interstuhl Büromöbel GmbH & Co. KG](/fileadmin/gdc/upload/images/Stifterlogos/Interstuhl_logo.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Interstuhl Büromöbel GmbH & Co. KG"){kind=logo}
![[Translate to Englisch:] Stiftungsmitglied Serien Raumleuchten GmbH](/fileadmin/gdc/upload/images/Stifterlogos/serien_raumleuchten-logo.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Serien Raumleuchten GmbH"){kind=logo}
Persons
Mr Olaf Barski
Mr Christoph Burkardt
Mr Kai Ehlert
Prof. Dr. Gerdum Enders
Prof. Achim Heine
Mr Jörg Heithoff
Mr Albrecht Hotz
Mr Armin Illion
Mr Stephan Koziol
Prof. Stefan Lengyel
Prof. Hansjerg Maier-Aichen
Mr Reiner Moll
Prof. h.c. Dr. h.c. Peter Pfeiffer (Honorary member)
Prof. Dr. h.c. Dieter Rams (Honorary member)
Mr Christian Sieger
Prof. Dr. h.c. Erik Spiekermann
Mr Roland Wagner
Prof. Dr. Othmar Wickenheiser