COR
COR is a German family-owned designer furniture manufacturer (founded 1954, Rheda-Wiedenbrück) producing configurable seating and tables — anchored by the Conseta sofa — for residential consumers via dealers and for offices, hospitality, and public spaces via its contract/B2B division.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1954
- HeadquartersRheda-wiedenbrück, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What COR does
COR (legal name: COR Sitzmöbel Helmut Lübke GmbH & Co. KG) is a German family-owned designer furniture manufacturer founded in 1954 by Helmut Lübke in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, East Westphalia, and currently led by second-generation CEO Leo Lübke. The company designs and produces a broad portfolio of seating and tables — sofas (Conseta, Trio, Mell Lounge, Jalis, Siwa, Pilotis, Floater), armchairs and chairs (Cordia Lounge, Kagu, Noto, Shrimp, Farmer), and complementary tables (Conic, Delta, Level, Ipa, Echo) — together with accessories, modular systems (Jalis Flow, Nenou), and a specialized furniture-care products shop. Manufacturing is ~80% vertically integrated at a single Rheda-Wiedenbrück site, supported by an on-site wood-fired power plant and solar generation that have delivered 100% climate-neutral production since 2020, and the full catalog carries Blue Angel, FSC, and GREENGUARD certifications. All major products are configurable online across dimensions, materials, and finishes, with OFML data export into pCon planning tools for architects.
The business operates a hybrid go-to-market. Residential consumer demand is fulfilled through a multi-tier distribution network of specialist dealers, exclusive COR Studios shop-in-shops, COR Spaces showrooms, and a ~2,000 m² company-owned COR Haus showroom in Rheda-Wiedenbrück. The contract/B2B division targets offices, hospitality, and public spaces through direct engagement with architects, interior designers, and contract furnishers, supported by planning data in DWG, 3DS, RFA, and SketchUp formats. Internationally, the company sells through appointed sales agents across Switzerland, Austria, France, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, USA, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and China. Pricing is dealer-set and not publicly disclosed, with individual quotations for contract projects; a documented example includes a "buy 5 Jalis chairs, get the 6th free" promotional lever on specific fabric/leather combinations.
The product platform is co-developed with a stable of named independent designers and studios — Jehs+Laub, Murken & Hansen, Uwe Fischer, Studio Pauline Deltour, Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller (Conseta, 1964), Gerd Lange (Farmer, 1965), Team Form AG, Jörg Boner, Metrica, Altherr Désile Park, Aust + Amelung, Müller + Wulff, kräling_lübke, and Lukas Heintschel — multiple of whom are multi-award-winning. COR remains privately held under family ownership with no external institutional investors, parent company, subsidiaries, or disclosed M&A activity; the company has no app, no public API, and no published revenue.
COR firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- COR
- Legal name
- COR Sitzmöbel Helmut Lübke GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://cor.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1954
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- COR is a German family-owned designer furniture manufacturer (founded 1954, Rheda-Wiedenbrück) producing configurable seating and tables — anchored by the Conseta sofa — for residential consumers via dealers and for offices, hospitality, and public spaces via its contract/B2B division.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
COR industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Design Furniture / Upholstered Seating
- NAICS
- Household and Institutional Furniture Manufacturing (33712), Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing (3372), Furniture Retailers (449110)
- SIC
- Household Furniture (2510), Retail-Furniture Stores (5712), Office Furniture (2520)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Living Room Furniture Retail (Sofas, Sectionals, Recliners, Coffee/Side Tables, TV Consoles) (CRAIAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Commercial/Builder Kitchen & Bath Showrooms (Trade-Focused) (CRAIAFAK)
Keywords
Where COR is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rheda-wiedenbrück
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
COR business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Furniture Sales (B2C): One-time purchase model for residential furniture including sofas, chairs, tables sold through dealer network and online configurators
- Contract Furniture Sales (B2B): Project-based furniture sales for offices, hospitality, and public spaces with customization options and planning support for architects
- Care Products: Specialized cleaning and care products for furniture sold through dedicated care shop
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Retail furniture pricing through authorized dealers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
COR product offering
Product offeringCore offering
COR designs and manufactures premium upholstered seating furniture and complementary tables, including sofas, armchairs, chairs, bar stools, benches, side tables, dining tables, and height-adjustable worktables. Products are sold both to end consumers through a dealer and showroom network and to commercial clients (offices, hospitality, public spaces) through contract furnishers and architects, with extensive configurability in dimensions, materials, and finishes.
Product overview
COR (COR Sitzmöbel Helmut Lübke GmbH & Co. KG) is a German design furniture manufacturer established in 1954, headquartered in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Germany. The company produces a comprehensive portfolio of seating furniture and complementary pieces, including sofas (Conseta, Trio, Mell Lounge, Moss, Pilotis, Elm, Jalis, Floater, Siwa, Cordia26), armchairs (Cordia Lounge, Kagu, Noto, Shrimp, Roc, Sinus, Nenou), chairs (Cordia, Alvo, Jalis, Noto, Farmer), and tables (Conic, Delta, Level, Ipa, Echo, Twin, Mell). The collection also includes modular systems (Jalis Flow, Nenou), bar stools, benches, and accessories. All products are configurable through online configurators for dimensions, materials, and finishes. COR operates primarily in German, English, and French markets, with dedicated contract services for architects and commercial projects.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Conseta Classic modular sofa system originally designed by Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller in 1963-64 and still produced almost unchanged; available as a sofa and sofa bed for residential and contract interiors.
- Farmer Chair Classic folding chair designed by Gerd Lange in 1965, re-released by COR in celebration of the designer's 90th birthday.
- Cordia Lounge Ergonomic armchair with comfortable cushioning, configurable in various fabrics and leathers via online configurator.
- Cordia (Chair) Office and dining chair series with swivel base and individual material combinations.
- Cordia26 Newest member of the Cordia family of armchairs, offering growing comfort features.
- Trio
- Mell Lounge
- Mell Sofa/Bench
- Jalis
- Jalis Flow
- Kagu New chair design featuring floating elegance and comfort, configurable online.
- Siwa Sofa designed for retreat and relaxation, featured as a COR novelty.
- Floater
- Moss
- Pilotis
- Elm
- Alvo
- Noto
- Nenou
- Drop
- Conic
- Delta
- Ipa
- Echo
- Nook
- Level (Height-Adjustable Table)
- Level System
- Shrimp
- Roc
- Sinus
- Cosma
- Mell C
- Twin
- Sting
- Bond
- Tablo
- Bag
- Contract Services
- COR Product Catalogue 2025-26 Annual digital catalog featuring the complete COR furniture collection with detailed product information, available as a downloadable PDF.
- Care Products Shop
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% climate-neutral manufacturing since 2020
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use COR
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
COR technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
COR partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Jehs + LaubcoreStuttgart-based design studio (Markus Jehs and Jürgen Laub) creating numerous COR furniture pieces including Alvo, Cordia, Elm, Jalis, Kagu, Mell, Moss, Shrimp. Founded 1994, known for functionality, clarity, formal rigor, and imaginative material use.
- Murken & HansencoreBerlin design studio (Hauke Murken and Sven Hansen) designing Conic and Bag for COR. Multiple design awards including Design Plus, IF Hannover, Good Design Award Japan.
- Uwe FischercoreDesigner based in Frankfurt am Main, professor of industrial design at Stuttgart Academy. Created Level (height-adjustable worktables) and Bridge for COR.
- Studio Pauline DeltourcoreParis-based French designer Pauline Deltour, worked with Konstantin Grcic before founding own studio in 2010. Designed Drop, Floater, and Noto for COR.
- Friedrich-Wilhelm MöllercoreDesigner of the iconic Conseta sofa (1963), a classic COR piece still produced almost unchanged. Founded Möller Design in 1987.
- Gerd LangecoreRenowned German furniture designer who created the Farmer Chair (1965), rereleased by COR. Iconic figure in German design history of 1970s-80s.
- Team Form AGminorSwiss design studio (Franz Hero and Karl Odermatt, founded 1964) responsible for Trio and Twin furniture lines.
- Jörg BonerminorZurich-based designer since 2001 creating Nenou furniture line for COR. Focuses on innovation in manufacturing and function.
- MetricaminorMilan design studio (founded 2009) with international recognition including Compasso d'Oro 2014, German Design Award 2014. Designed Pilotis for COR.
- Altherr Désile ParkminorBarcelona studio specializing in product design, creative direction, color design, and ephemeral architecture. Created Siwa for COR.
- Aust + AmelungminorKassel-based studio (Miriam Aust and Sebastian Amelung) founded 2011. Won German Design Award Gold in 2013. Created Bond for COR.
- Müller + WulffminorGerman design consultancy creating Cosma sofa bed for COR, focusing on human-centered concepts with environmental considerations.
- Kräling_LübkeminorHamburg engineering studio (Maria Lübke and Peter Kräling, founded 2002) designing Delta and Ipa tables for COR.
- Lukas HeintschelminorMunich-based designer founded studio in 2021, co-founder of lighting brand Neozoon. Created Echo side table for COR.
- Factor Design GmbHminorHamburg-based design agency responsible for COR website design and visual branding.
- MIA3 GmbHminorDigital agency from Gütersloh providing technical support and TYPO3 CMS maintenance for the COR website.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
COR competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- HAY: Danish contemporary design furniture brand with broad residential and contract seating/table collections. Comparable mid-premium positioning, multi-designer portfolio, and international showroom/dealer distribution model.
- Vitra: Swiss design furniture manufacturer with iconic designer collaborations (Eames, Saarinen, Bouroullec). Comparable in premium positioning, deep residential/contract catalogue, and globally distributed brand with a strong European manufacturing base.
- Muuto: Danish contemporary design brand producing Scandinavian-design seating, lighting, and tables with Scandinavian-designer collaborations. Comparable in multi-designer premium contemporary positioning and European-led international distribution.
- Cassina: Italian design furniture manufacturer (Poltr Frau Group) producing iconic and contemporary seating. Comparable on designer-driven product, contract-project capability, and European premium positioning.
- Thonet: German heritage furniture manufacturer (founded 1819) producing bentwood and tubular steel seating plus upholstered pieces. Comparable in German manufacturing roots, family/legacy ownership, and blend of contract and residential channels.
- Knoll: American office and residential design furniture manufacturer with deep contract heritage. Comparable on contract/architect channel, designer collaborations (Saarinen, Bertoia, Wassily), and curated premium positioning.
- USM: Swiss modular furniture manufacturer with iconic USM Haller system. Comparable in family-controlled Swiss/German-area heritage, premium modular seating/storage, and strong contract specification.
- B&B Italia: Italian premium upholstered furniture maker (Maxalto, B&B Italia brands) known for designer sofas. Directly comparable in modular sofa systems, contract division, and high-end upholstery customization.
- Walter Knoll: German premium residential and contract seating manufacturer with comparable heritage, vertical integration, and designer-collaboration model (e.g., EOOS, Norm Architects). Closest like-for-like peer in the high-end German seating category.
- Fritz Hansen: Danish design furniture maker with heritage collaborations (Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjærholm). Comparable premium positioning, contract-and-residential split, and reliance on classic timeless SKUs in the sofa/seating category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
COR social profiles
Digital presenceCOR compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
COR financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
COR leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
COR funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
COR M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about COR
What does COR do?
COR designs and manufactures premium upholstered seating furniture and complementary tables, including sofas, armchairs, chairs, bar stools, benches, side tables, dining tables, and height-adjustable worktables. Products are sold both to end consumers through a dealer and showroom network and to commercial clients (offices, hospitality, public spaces) through contract furnishers and architects, with extensive configurability in dimensions, materials, and finishes.
Is COR a public or private company?
COR is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was COR founded?
COR was founded in 1954. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is COR based?
COR is headquartered in Rheda-wiedenbrück, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does COR make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Furniture Sales (B2C) is the primary driver. The others are contract Furniture Sales (B2B) and care Products.
Who are COR's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are HAY, Vitra, Muuto, Cassina, Thonet, Knoll, USM, B&B Italia, Walter Knoll and Fritz Hansen.
Does COR have an API?
No public API is recorded for COR.
What industry is COR in?
COR's product category is Design Furniture / Upholstered Seating. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIAAAA, Living Room Furniture Retail (Sofas, Sectionals, Recliners, Coffee/Side Tables, TV Consoles), with a secondary code of CRAIAFAK, Commercial/Builder Kitchen & Bath Showrooms (Trade-Focused). Its NAICS code is 33712 and its SIC code is 2510.