About | bert plantagie

Bert Plantagie

The bert plantagie collection consists of both timeless and modern furniture design. The Dutch Design furniture brand is among the top of Dutch furniture manufacturers. In cooperation with talented designers like Stefan Steenkist, Frans Schrofer, Thijs Smeets and Hans Daalder we created an extensive collection with customisation as key element. The bert plantagie collection is well known for the many options: the made to order furniture is handmade in-house and offers an unrivalled variety of customisation possibilities like bicolour upholstery, custom-made frames in different colours, and many dimensions. Our head office with sales support & administration department, as well as the design team, product development, and a large logistics and forwarding department, are situated in the Netherlands. The bert plantagie collection is available for sale in different countries and is transported to the selected dealers mostly by our own lorries.

The origins

The bert plantagie company, situated in Cuijk (Nijmegen), is a typically Dutch furniture brand with a long tradition. The origins go back to 1958, when Johannes Smits founded ‘Smits Stalen Meubelen’. Initially the company focused on camping and garden furniture, but in the 1980s Smits started to specialise more in furniture for amusement parks, like Center Parcs and Duinrell, and health facilities. In 2000 the company is taken over by Bert Plantagie, an entrepreneur who gives his name to the company and sets out a new direction. The bert plantagie collection starts to focus more on the consumer market, with sophisticated design of unprecedented quality as guideline. And it became a big success. bert plantagie is now an established brand that is sold in many furniture stores in different countries. And we still serve the project market with the experience of former times.

1 January, 1958

Foundation of Smits Furniture

The origins of the bert plantagie company go back to January 1st 1958. Back then, the company was founded by Johannes Smith and bore the name Smits Stalen Meubelen (Smits Steel Furniture). The company established itself in Cuijk, a small town in Noord-Brabant, nearby the city of Nijmegen.

1 January, 1960

Kitchen products

Traditionally Smits Meubelen manufactures its own products. Since the early days the company presents itself as ‘the company with the greatest possibilities and the most comprehensive collection in kitchen products (like stepladders and ironing boards) and camping and garden furniture.’

1 January, 1970

Rattan furniture

In the 1970s, the focus shifts towards home furniture. Rattan furniture, a real trend at that time, is added to the assortment.

1 January, 1973

Manufacturing of sofas

The manufacturing of upholstered sofas starts as well. These heavy, pompous designs were predominantly sold on the Belgium consumer market.

1 January, 1973

Chamber of Commerce

On December 20th 1973 the company is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce for the first time, under the name Smits Cuijk B.V. , trading as Smits Meubelen. At that moment the company employs 32 people.

1 January, 1975

Collection

Meanwhile, the collection also includes furniture fitting the spirit of that time. Nowadays you see a lot of retro furniture that is partly inspired by these designs.

1 January, 1975

Collection

By then, the general public falls in love with designs equipped with the popular trumpet leg and the cross-braced leg. (Also note the wallpaper and curtains!).

1 January, 1980

Project market

In the 1980s the company starts to specialise in seating furniture for amusement parks and health facilities.

1 January, 1980

Project market

Solid quality, replaceable parts, innovative solutions for different industries and a comprehensive after-sales service, were and still are the core values of the company.

1 January, 1990

Beversestraat

In the 1990s, Smits Meubelen furnished almost all asylum seeker centres in the Netherlands with seating furniture and tables. The company still operated from the building at the Beversestraat in Cuijk (nowadays do-it-yourself company Karwei is located here).

1 January, 2000

Bert Plantagie

Bert Plantagie, an entrepreneur from the roller shutter and sun blinds industry, is looking for a new challenge, which he finds in Smits Meubelen.

1 January, 2000

Bert Plantagie

bert plantagie is a typically Dutch brand with timeless, sophisticated designer furniture. Read more about the foundation and history of the company.

1 January, 2000

The take-over

In the late 1990s Smits Meubelen looks back on more than 40 years of experience in seating furniture. Nevertheless, the company is ripe for renewal. This renewal comes in the name of Bert Plantagie, taking over the company from former owner Gerry Smits in 2000.

1 January, 2001

Changing course

Bert Plantagie is not only the name of the new owner, but also the name of a new seating furniture and table collection on the Dutch market. And a synonym for a complete change of approach.

1 January, 2001

Hans Daalder

The furniture is being designed by top designer Hans Daalder. Also new are the continuous product development, and the intensive relationship with the retailer.

1 January, 2006

Export

In 2006 the popularity of the bert plantagie collection is undiminished with starters, young families, and the elderly. The Netherlands become too small, and export is the answer. Meanwhile, the company successfully operates in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria as well

1 January, 2006

Stefan Steenkist

In 2006 Stefan Steenkist designs a seating furniture series for Bert Plantagie. These designs – The Clark, Jones and Amie – become a great success. Later he also designs the Duo and the Tango. Top designs that now adorn many dining rooms.

1 January, 2009

Roderick Vos

A few years later Roderick Vos is added to the list of top designers. In 2009 Bert meets this famous designer on a plane. This chance encounter eventually leads to a fruitful cooperation in 2010. One of Roderick’s designs is the unique RePly chair.

1 January, 2011

Sales office Germany

The Bert Plantagie brand is experiencing a tremendous growth in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. To provide good service to the growing customer base, a new sales office opens in Germany at a strategic location. Bert Plantagie GmbH is being established in the south of Germany in Weiβenhorn

1 January, 2011

Make it Yours

In mid-2011 bert plantagie introduces The Make it Yours – concept, which enables the consumer to co-create his own unique bert plantagie chair in 11 steps.

1 January, 2013

Worldcolours

Colours define your interior. With the right colour choice you define a personal living environment and create a unique interior style. In 2013 bert plantagie introduces four mood boards, which allow everyone to personally create a harmonious, sophisticated, and always unique interior.

13 July, 2022

Changing course

Bert Plantagie is not only the name of the new owner, but also the name of a new seating furniture and table collection on the Dutch market. And a synonym for a complete change of approach.