German Furniture Maker Pivots to Rental Model as New Repair Law Reshapes Industry Standards
Published on 07/23/2026 at 21:32 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
When Sedus Stoll launches its S:ircle circular-economy programme in July 2026, commercial customers will no longer have to buy their office furniture. Instead, they can lease it — with collection, refurbishment and recycling built into the price. The German manufacturer aims to extend the lifespan of ergonomic workplace furniture while cutting resource waste.
The strategic shift comes on solid financial footing. Sedus Stoll reported revenue of €259.1 million in 2023, an 8.8 percent increase from the previous year. The company remained profitable in 2024, though it did not match that record performance. By adding repair and maintenance services to its offering, the manufacturer hopes to capture additional market share.
Regulatory changes are pushing in the same direction. Germany’s new Repair Act takes effect on 23 July 2026, initially targeting electronics such as smartphones, televisions and large household appliances. But the law establishes a broader industrial benchmark for product durability that will affect other sectors too.
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Critics argue the legislation has gaps. The German Environmental Aid organisation points to the absence of measures addressing high repair costs. There are no adequate penalty provisions, nor a designated oversight authority. The group is calling for reduced VAT on repair services and caps on spare-parts prices.
Austria follows suit in October 2026, embedding repairability as an objective quality criterion. Manufacturers there must keep spare parts available for up to ten years after a model series ends. Repairs carried out under warranty will extend the guarantee period by one year.
Other industries are already moving toward maintenance over replacement. Elevator specialist KONE secured a major contract with Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) to service roughly 700 installations — two-thirds of which come from rival manufacturers. The company relies on specialised training programmes and digital monitoring systems equipped with sensors for real-time analysis.
For the office furniture sector, repair is shifting from a niche activity focused on fixing defects to a core part of product strategy. Sedus Stoll is positioning its refurbishment of used furniture as an alternative to the throwaway culture prevalent in workplace management.
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A further regulatory milestone arrives on 20 January 2027, when the EU Machinery Regulation becomes mandatory. This will primarily affect electrically adjustable office furniture, with cybersecurity and risk assessment for significant product modifications taking centre stage. Industry experts note that harmonised standards are still being revised.
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