Sustainable door hardware and bathroom fixtures

With door hardware, it’s all about the details. A difference of just a few millimeters can determine whether something functions perfectly or causes problems. CK Design International applies that same attention to detail to the way the company operates. Since its founding in 2006, much has changed within the Apeldoorn-based family business. One guiding principle, however, has always remained the same: doing business must be personal, clear, and transparent.

Since CEO Erik van Geijn founded CK Design International about twenty years ago, the company has grown into the Netherlands“ largest agency specializing in sustainable door hardware and bathroom solutions. ”International agencies, a broad brand portfolio, and our own CKD product line form the foundation for this,“ says Van Geijn. ”Behind our growth and development lies a simple idea: we want to help our customers as best we can to find the right solution. That goes beyond simply delivering a good product. You also have to think along with them, provide clear information, honor agreements, and be available whenever the customer needs you. And that’s exactly what we do.”

Strong brands

CK Design represents Planet ASSA ABLOY, MEGA AG, Dan Dryer, and Wagner Ewar. It also works with brands such as PBA, Krona Koblenz, and NORMBAU. Together, they form a broad foundation that makes it possible to offer the most suitable solution for each project—both technically and practically. At the same time, the CKD private label continues to grow steadily. This in-house line includes handles, door knobs, hinges, glass door hinges, and door stops, among other items. New products are developed based on practical experience, technical expertise, and market demands. Part of the product development takes place at a dedicated manufacturing facility in China, of which CK Design is a co-owner. “Within this long-standing partnership, communication lines are short, and we remain closely involved in material selection, technical adjustments, and further product development,” says Van Geijn. “We explicitly see ourselves as a sparring partner for the customer. Not every request fits directly into a standard solution. By communicating clearly and early on, there are often more possibilities than meet the eye.”

Smart Processes

With the arrival of his son Matthijs van Geijn, the second generation is now also active at CK Design. As CFO and brand director, he focuses, among other things, on further modernizing the organization and streamlining internal processes. “Our team is working to create an organization where order processing, inventory management, and purchasing are increasingly aligned,” says Van Geijn Jr. “We start with real-world practice. What does a customer want to see? How do they want to place orders and receive information? And how can we best align our internal processes with those needs? Our B2B webstore, of course, fits perfectly within that framework. Our customers can explore more and more on their own, while personal guidance and technical advice remain readily available.”

Keep listening

Twenty years after its founding, the development process at CK Design is far from over. There are plenty of new challenges. “Our product line can grow further, our work processes can become smarter, and information can always be clearer,” says Matthijs, articulating the company’s ambitions. “For CK Design, improvement isn’t a one-time effort, but a very important part of how we work. So we’ll continue to listen, contribute ideas, and look for ways to make things better and more efficient for our customers, suppliers, and ourselves. And we’ll keep doing that for the next twenty years…”