2015 has so far been a year of new beginnings at Candana. We downsized the showroom, welcomed two new staff members and moved our admin/accounts to our warehouse in Botany.
Along with all this, Candana have now been granted more access to Vola than ever before by becoming a direct supplier for Vola in NSW. While being the longest running retailer of Vola in Australia we still thought we had a lot to learn about the product and thought a trip to Denmark was well overdue.
Marc & Kaety spent 3 days with Vola which included some (very insightful) technical training, factory tours and meet and greets with the wonderful people at Vola. While in the area, we visited Frost- another fantastic supplier of accessories we bring in directly.
During this time we were overwhelmed by how generous and hospitable our hosts were, and everyone in Denmark for that matter! You can see why the Danish are voted happiest people on the planet; they are the friendliest, kindest and most good looking people you will ever meet.
The original KV1 & HV1
Training in Vola Academy
Working display
Carsten showing us the new T60 handpiece spray
Vola showroom
T39 heated towel rail display
Showroom
Marc, Carsten & Kaety
Kaety & Marc surrounded by Arne Jacobsen designed Series 7 chairs in Vola’s iconic ‘orange’
Laura (Vola Business Development Manager, VIC), Kaety & Marc
Every morning Vola would pick us up at our hotel in Aarhus to visit the Vola Academy & factory in Horsens (approx. 45 minute drive). As huge admirers of Vola for a long time, we were beyond excited to finally see the home of one of our most-loved tapware manufacturers. Driving into the property was enthralling, we were immediately drawn in by the stunning Vola Academy building designed by Aarhus Architects in 2008. The monolithic concrete structure represents everything Vola is; minimal, timeless and elegant.
We met with long-time friend of Candana and Asia Pacific manager for Vola, Carsten Hartmann who gave us a tour of the building and introduced us to our trainer, Lars. If there’s anyone who knows the absolute ins and outs of Vola its Lars. He spent 3 days training us and answering many of our questions and what we learnt from him was immeasurable.
Vola company was founded in 1873 by the Overgaard family (who still own and run it today) supplying very basic plumbing valves, it was not until 1968 that Verner Overgaard cooperated with Arne Jacobsen to design and manufacture the world’s first in wall mixer. This was designed for the National Bank of Denmark and is still there till this day. Now with 160 employees, Vola strive to keep their design history alive with their iconic pieces and additions that complement the original design.
Factory tour, stainless steel tubes
Factory tour, brass tubes
HV1 production
Factory tour
060 shower rose early stage, in solid brass form
Brass waste, every bit is sent to a brass recycler who melts it down and re-supplies to Vola
In-house powdercoating, this painter by trade has worked for Vola for over 30 years!
Powdercoated A85 flush buttons
Assembly of the 060 shower
The factory tour was an eye opener for both of us. Having visited German mega-factories in the past, it was a surprise to see how ‘hand-made’ and specialised Vola really is. Every station was manned by a cheerful worker- most of them working there for many years. One of the most surprising facts about Vola’s production was that every piece is made to order. They do not keep stock of anything, so when you order your HV1 basin mixer (which takes only 28 minutes to make!) you can be sure it will be made for you in Denmark at that time, it has not been sitting in a warehouse for years.
Vola is a company bathed in history (excuse the pun). An iconic brand which is unique from every other tap manufacturer. The original pin lever and perfectly proportioned range (based on the golden section theory). To be able to spend time in a place where Arne Jacobsen and Verner Overgaard worked so hard to create the worlds first inwall mixer was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are so grateful to have experienced it. Some exciting new things will be coming out of Vola soon and we are very happy to be a part of the Vola story.
Vola Academy usable bathrooms
Vola truck
Vola Academy
All photos by Candana
