Revive introduces itself | Today: Frank – Expert for sustainable furniture refurbishment
Frank keeps an eye on the processing
Hey! We want to show you who's behind Revive! In this format, we regularly take you behind the scenes—where craftsmanship, passion, and ideas come together. Our team is the heart of Revive: Everyone brings a unique perspective and special talents. Today we're stopping by the reconditioning department and talking with Frank! Perhaps you already know our "sofa doctor" from the series " Learn to Recondition with Frank" !Frank, what do you do at Revive?
I'm saving the furniture here! Specifically, I'm responsible for the technical management of the refurbishment. I'm responsible for the entire process, and I oversee the coordination of all processes. What many people don't realize is that sustainability also has a lot to do with cost-effectiveness. That's why I make sure we don't put too much or too little material into the furniture. Finding the right amount is often a real balancing act: Of course, I'd love to make everything look like new, but the cost-effectiveness shouldn't be underestimated. That's why I can't always let my hair down.
How did you come to Revive?
I came to Revive because Paul, one of the founders, messaged me on Facebook. Paul had asked me, but I didn't take it too seriously at first. It was only later that I looked at the website, and it really made a good impression. I then applied and eventually, in the traditional way, had an interview. When I got there, I was immediately extremely impressed by the amount of furniture! Some of it included furniture that I had already repaired for my previous employer. I was actually already on my way to my next job—but ultimately I consciously chose Revive because I'm a huge fan of the circular economy. Recycling and upcycling, that will be the future. And that's my personal attitude too; I'm truly a committed person. I'm also a very loyal soul: 7 years at Revive, 36 years of marriage—when I do something, I do it out of conviction and do it right.
How can you contribute your personal special skills here?
On the one hand, I consider myself a great team player. The team always comes first for me, and as a team leader, I can truly embrace that philosophy here. I always try to involve everyone, engage them, and make decisions together as a team. It's more important to me that everyone supports a decision than to force my own opinion through. The management team gives me a lot of trust and freedom, so I can truly live out this philosophy here.Secondly, efficiency is one of my greatest strengths: I originally come from the upholstered furniture industry, and at Revive we want to continually optimize processes and introduce industry standards. In craftsmanship, quality naturally comes first, and efficiency often comes second. We want to work towards increasing our efficiency as well. Since I completed my training in industry, I am very familiar with these processes. For example, I have good contacts in purchasing thanks to my training at Wassenberger Werkstätten 40 years ago. For us, efficiency also means that no one person makes an entire sofa alone, but that we distribute the tasks according to each person's strengths. I coordinate this, and this is where my skills as a team leader and my knack for efficiency come together.
How would you describe your work here in one word or sentence?
Sustainable!
What do you do when you're not working at Revive?
That's usually when I relax from work, because I'm already putting in a lot of hours here. Otherwise, I like to be active in my free time: I play paintball, squash, ride my bike, and sometimes go hiking. I actually like anything that challenges me and keeps me moving.
What is your biggest dream?
For Revive to be among the top 5 in the furniture industry and for everyone on the team to benefit from it! That would truly be my dream: for everyone here to be able to live a better life – and that's how I see our management team, too. Apart from that, I wish for what probably everyone wishes for: enough money to run their business without worry and to be left alone in peace and quiet. Simply a worry-free life.Do you have a favorite piece of furniture that Revive has or has had in its inventory?
The Ligne Roset Multy ! Back then, I fought to make this sofa more of a focus for reconditioning because I saw great potential in it. It's extremely easy to recondition. Even back then, I said, "We need people who can sew." Today, it's our best-selling model. I find the Multy particularly impressive in terms of its effect: no matter what condition it arrives in, it looks like new when finished. The wow factor is truly greatest here—with all reupholstery, in general. It's as if an ailing patient is suddenly walking again! It's so satisfying to see things improve.
How do you personally define sustainability?
For me, sustainability means cost-effectiveness – because without cost-effectiveness, it's not sustainable in the long term. But for me, sustainability also means keeping things in use for as long as possible. Lifespan is an important indicator of sustainability. I think that's a shame if someone scraps their car just because they want a new one. There's a huge used market for cars, especially, whereas that's often not as pronounced for other products. This topic is slowly gaining acceptance in society, and I believe it will really gain momentum. Corona and the war in Ukraine have slowed this down somewhat, but I'm confident that it will become even more of a focus.
Is there anything else you would like to say to the world?
Be nice to each other!