News from PHOS

Homes & Gardens 03.2025:
PHOS in portrait
Living favourites made of stainless steel

To mark the company's 30th anniversary, Homes & Gardens is dedicating a three-page portrait to PHOS. The article sheds light on the company's roots in architecture and its development into a design manufacturer with an unmistakable range of stainless steel products. The focus is on design principles, handcrafted production and products that set timeless accents.

PHOS as a training company: Baden-Württemberg State Trainer Award

With the State Trainer Award, the state of Baden-Württemberg honours companies that provide young people with more than just a profession - namely prospects, responsibility and personal development. The aim is to recognise those who train with conviction and pedagogical sensitivity and pass on their experience with commitment.

PHOS did not receive the award this year - but we are keeping at it. Because training is more than just an obligation for us: it is part of our corporate culture. Almost half of our team comes from our own apprenticeships or student traineeships. Three former trainees are now in management positions. Three year-end graduates, two qualified specialists - this is the result of consistently promoting young talent in-house.

We are applying again in 2027 - with good chances and the ambition to continue setting standards in the future: as a training company with responsibility, quality and prospects. More You can find information on the State Trainer Award here >>

New Outdoor furniture in stainless steel & teak

For Easter, we are presenting our new outdoor furniture - an extension of the Karlsruhe table and bench collection and a significant step for us as a manufacturer. The tables and benches are made of solid stainless steel and carefully crafted teak. Manufactured in Karlsruhe, they combine weatherproof materials with the purist PHOS design.

The furniture is designed for permanent outdoor use. Each piece is created individually or in small series - with careful craftsmanship and a clear design language that blends harmoniously into different environments. Further information can be found on our website: www.phos.de/outdoor

Swiss Arc Award for Hotel Maistra 160 and Gion A. Caminada

In October, the Hotel Maistra 160 in Pontresina and its architect Gion A. Caminada with the renowned Swiss Arc Award 2024 This year's Swiss Arc Award emphasises resource-conserving, contemporary and timeless construction. Through the use of durable, high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship, a role model for sustainable architecture has been created. Towel rails, towel hooks and customised shower curtain rails to have been part of this extraordinary project for the barrier-free bathroom area.

30 years of PHOS

Our story began 30 years ago: By registering our PHOS brand with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office, we laid the foundations for a company that stands for timeless design, top quality and long-lasting stainless steel products. 100% Made in Germany.

Our roots lie in interior design. What once began as a customised solution for demanding projects in Andreas Winkler's architectural office in Karlsruhe-Mühlburg has developed into a brand for excellent workmanship and sophisticated design. With the opening of our manufactory in the Rhine harbour in Karlsruhe, we manufacture our products on site - sustainably, precisely and to the highest standards: in series or as custom-made products.

Over the years, we have been honoured with numerous design awards and our products can now be found in prestigious construction projects, public buildings and sophisticated private facilities.

30 years of PHOS stand for progress, innovation and reliability. We would like to thank our customers, partners and our dedicated team for making this success story possible. We look forward to the future with a down-to-earth and far-sighted approach.

Start of training in 2024 - Jaymee starts with us

We are delighted to welcome Jaymee to our team as a new apprentice. She has started her dual training as an e-commerce clerk and we wish her a successful start to her career. Training plays a central role for us and we attach great importance to offering young talent sound training and individual development opportunities. So far, we have been able to offer all trainees interesting tasks within the company after completing their training - a path we would like to continue in the future. More We publish information on training here >>

Training: Successfully completed

At the beginning of the year, Jonathan successfully completed his dual training as an e-commerce merchant. This makes him the third person at PHOS to have learnt this specialist trade. During his training, Jonathan was involved in many projects in the online sector and took many tasks into his own hands. After a transition as an employee in the web sector, he will now begin his studies. We would like to thank him for the time we spent together!

Hotel project: Towel rails in the Hotel Maistra, Pontresina

We are delighted to be part of an extraordinary and fascinating hotel project in the Upper Engadine. Our curved solid towel rails are being used in the brand new Hotel Maistra 160 in Pontresina, a flagship project by the renowned architect Gion A. Caminada. They were installed in various lengths both on the walls of the bathrooms and under the washbasins as towel rails.

Training: Honouring the best of the year

We were once again recognised for our training this year. Luis completed his apprenticeship as an e-commerce clerk with a grade of 1 and was invited by the Karlsruhe Chamber of Industry and Commerce to the gala ceremony for the best apprentices of the year. In addition to being honoured and receiving a further training bonus, Luis will take on a position of responsibility and complete further training immediately afterwards. We are proud that we have once again been honoured as a training company.

Visit of the Werkbund Baden-Württemberg

In 2023, the members' meeting of the Deutscher Werkbund took place on our premises. In addition to the official items on the agenda, the participants were also given a comprehensive tour of our company and our manufactory. The areas of work preparation, 3D modelling and digital development were of particular interest. The Werkbündlers had the opportunity to experience live how our products are manufactured. They were also able to experience the manual bending and grinding techniques at first hand. The connection to the Werkbund goes back to our owner Mario Grundmann, who is himself a long-standing member of Werkbund BW.

Andreas Winkler (1955 - 2023)

Andreas Winkler, initiator and pioneer of the PHOS brand, passed away on 1 May 2023 in Karlsruhe. We would like to remember him and look back on his work with gratitude. An obituary was published by Wolfgang Bachmann in Marlows published.

World rowing champion from the accounting department

At the World Rowing Masters World Championships in Libourne, France, our colleague Marion Kamplade competed in the over 27s class and became world champion in the single sculls on the 1000 metre competition course. It's a good thing that Marion's training course at her rowing club KRK Alemannia is right next to our site in the Rhine harbour.

Training: Honouring the best of the year

Our trainees once again achieved excellent results in this year's IHK final examinations. Industrial clerks Henry and Regina completed their training with grades 1 and 2. Henry was honoured as one of the best of the year.

Bronze medal at the European Championships

Another success for our colleague and accountant Marion Kamplade. She won the bronze medal at the European Rowing Indoor Championships in Paris.

NEW - Karlsruhe table

With the Karlsruhe table, we are introducing our new table programme. A functional and very stable table frame forms the basis for versatile desks as well as work and dining tables. The light design creates a special elegance. Perfect proportions and velvety matt polished stainless steel surfaces create this impression. The precise processing of solid elements with stable form-fit connections means that no additional struts are required.
Here it goes to the Karlsruhe table >>

START OF TRAINING 2022 - NEW TRAINEE

A trainee starts his dual training programme with us. We are delighted to have recruited Steven for an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk. We wish him a good start to his professional life. So far, we have been able to offer every trainee an interesting job after their training. We continue to attach great importance to training. We publish further information on the subject of training here >>

Opening of the PHOS Bistro

We completed our new bistro just before Christmas. Situated right next to the new workshop of the manufactory, it is the place where we come together, chat during breaks, simply relax or enjoy a snack. And when architects or customers visit us, we can also prepare a good espresso or coffee here. It is ideal that we were able to build and use our Karlsruhe table in all its variations. The planning office Wolfgang Bühler & Partner from Tübingen was responsible for the design. Here you will find impressions from our bistro >>

Manufacture also means innovation

We were able to take delivery of two new machines before the end of the year. Manufacturing in general does not mean abandoning traditional craftsmanship and the art of production. We want to make the best product of its kind. We use modern technology that makes the product better. The goal of energy and resource efficiency should not be neglected either: we are integrating two new energy-efficient machines alongside our tried-and-tested manual machines and analogue tools. This means that our processes are designed in such a way that the best production can be realised for each individual customer order. From craftsmanship to manufacturing work to CN production for small series.
Impressions from the factory >>
Tip: The definition of the term 'manufactory' has its own microsite at Deutsche Manufakturen:
www.manufaktur-definition.de >>

Trusted Shop seal for webshop

After establishing our webshop, we also received certification and thus the seal of approval from Trusted Shops. The Trusted Shops seal of approval stands for quality and conveys trust. Shops that fulfil specified quality criteria, handle customer data responsibly and offer a customer-oriented service receive the seal. Trusted Shops is the most widely used seal of approval for online shops with the highest level of recognition.
Our Profile at TrustedShop >>

Trustami

Trustami links ratings and reviews from various platforms. Trustami has thus created a digital rating seal. It collects customer reviews from listed networks, forums and platforms and summarises them in an overview. Companies are presented in an authentic and trustworthy manner.
Our Profile at Trustami >>

New web shop

After a little more than a year of preparation, we have launched our own web shop. It is linked to our previous information-only website as a second website. This means that architects, craftsmen and retailers can continue to view and download all information as before. In addition, direct orders are now also possible for end consumers and private individuals thanks to a modern shop system from Germany. We are geared towards very short delivery times in our production in our manufactory. - This also applies to customised sizes.
PHOS Web-Shop >>

Training - PHOS trainee is the 1st businesswoman in e-commerce

We are delighted to welcome our first graduate in the newly created apprenticeship programme for e-commerce clerks. Our trainee Pia Weber was the only one of the first year of the Karlsruhe Chamber of Industry and Commerce to successfully complete her training ahead of schedule. "I am very happy to have completed my training successfully and quickly. Training as an e-commerce clerk is versatile, future-orientated and a good alternative to studying," says Pia Weber. You can find the press release here >>

Site expansion in the Rhine harbour

We are continuing our development and expanding our location in the Rhine harbour at the beginning of 2021.
With the new production area, we are expanding our manufactory by 600 square metres. The new workshop also has the character of an industrial monument, will facilitate work processes and ensure a good working atmosphere. In addition to our series products, customised and special designs for individual customer orders are also created here. The team will also grow and the machinery will be systematically expanded.

Federal police receive PHOS cloakroom trolley

We also acquired another federal authority as a customer during the coronavirus pandemic in the form of the Federal Police, which we supplied with a customised wardrobe trolley. Chlorine-resistant V5A stainless steel was important. The coat racks on easily steerable castors are used in the swimming pool of the training and further education centre. They are used to hold special swimming training suits.

PHOS portrait on the architecture platform Architonic

"Have you ever been to the German Bundestag? Or the Elbphilharmonie concert hall? Admittedly, these are two buildings that are very different in terms of form and function, but they do have some unexpected things in common. In addition to their great architectural, cultural and political appeal, there is another, albeit more inconspicuous feature that unites them: the details come from the Karlsruhe-based stainless steel specialist PHOS."
PDF (german) >>
PDF (english) >>

PHOS door stopper special solution for the Reichstag building

We are delighted to have received a special order from the German Bundestag. The brief for the tender was for special and flexible doorstops that can stop the weight of heavy doors without the need for screws. We found a solution based on our TSB 90 door stopper. The door stoppers are handmade, finely turned with two Viton rings for damping and have an anti-slip contact surface. The weight is 7 kg.

PHOS elements in federal authorities in Switzerland

We are delighted to have received an order for the administration of the Swiss AHF equalisation fund in Geneva. In addition to our pictograms and letters, door and information signs, wall coat racks and towel racks, coat hangers and coat hooks were also installed in the Boulevard George Favon. Old Age and Survivors' Insurance (AHV) is the compulsory pension insurance scheme in Switzerland. It is the first state pillar of the Swiss social security system.

Business Champion 2019 - PHOS Design among the top 500

PHOS Design achieved 25th place nationwide in the manufacturing and production industry category. PHOS Design is ranked 488th nationwide in the ranking of companies in all economic sectors. STATISTA determined an average company growth of 20% for the years 2014-2017. PHOS Design was thus honoured as the 2019 Growth Champion by Focus Business.

Read an extract as PDF here >>

Cruise ship "Norwegian Encore" with PHOS elements

After four cruise ships in the AIDA fleet to date, we also supplied PHOS elements for the "Norwegian Encore". The modern cruise ship from Norwegian Cruise Line is also being built at Meyer Werft in Papenburg and is designed for 4,000 guests. It is scheduled to enter service in November 2019.

Days of Manufactories in Berlin

The 4th "TAGE DER MANUFAKTUREN" will take place in Berlin on 22 and 23 September. These days of manufactories bring together manufacturers who create high-quality, timeless and sustainable products and thus counteract the throwaway culture. Manufacturers from all over Germany allow visitors to take part in production steps and immerse themselves in a world of cultural artefacts that have been produced for generations, often in family businesses with a sense of tradition and great attention to detail.

The "TAGE DER MANUFAKTUREN" with the "HANDMADE IN GERMANY" exhibition is taking place for the fourth time this year and, like the venue itself, the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM), has become an institution in the city. The event is organised by the Initiative Deutsche Manufakturen - Handmade-in-Germany. This year, the retailer Manufactum also took part.

New machine highlight for production

The technical development of our production is progressing. We still see ourselves as a manufactory, but we are not afraid of machines. With the commissioning of a precision lathe, we are expanding our manufacturing capabilities and entering a new era in the production of our PHOS elements. From individual production in workshop work on conventional machines to customised machining - even of individual or small series - we can react flexibly and produce as required. With Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Spinner from Sauerlach, we have opted for a Made in Germany manufacturer. The design and equipment of the Spinner TC 600 is ideal for us. Details include: a rigid machine bed made from a single casting, servo turret, dynamic motorised spindle, counter spindle, sliding guides and a genuine Y-axis.

BM Innenausbau - Company portrait of PHOS Design

The origins of PHOS Design lie in architecture and from the harbour office into the world... Last month we received a visit from the editors of the trade magazine BM Innenausbau. BM is the leading trade magazine in the fields of furniture and interior design. In German-speaking countries, BM is the best-selling subscription magazine in this field. We are delighted to have received a 3-page portrait, which appeared in the current trade fair issue with a doubled circulation.

Read our portrait here >>

Carpentry trade fairs in Zurich and Lausanne

We had the opportunity to speak directly with carpenters from Switzerland at the carpentry trade fairs in Zurich and Lausanne, which took place in quick succession. We took part for the second time and had numerous visits from carpenters who not only wanted to see our PHOS products, but also wanted to get their hands on them and study the finer points of the design and finish in detail. We always hear about interesting projects, installations and references on such occasions. The most important aspect for us is that we receive feedback from the everyday lives of the craftsmen and are made aware of new product ideas.

Read more about this in our blog >>

Craftsmanship meets urban art: Marketing Club visits PHOS

We experienced an unusual evening of lectures and workshops at our new location on 22 January. 120 guests came to us in the Rhine harbour for the annual kick-off event of the Karlsruhe Marketing Club. First, the audience listened to an eventful presentation on the topic of "Urban art sparks fresh love for brands". The Marketing Club had invited Ronny Ullrich from the CROMATICS agency in Dresden, a recognised expert in this field. The work presented provided an exciting insight into communication for well-known brands, e.g. global brands such as LEVIS and AUDI - which also use urban art in their marketing activities.

Read more about this in our blog >>

Federal Printing Office in Berlin with PHOS signs

Even though we are represented in the Bundestag and the Federal Constitutional Court with our doorstops, it is not every day that we receive an order from a state-owned company. In future, anyone looking for the way to the toilets at the Federal Printing Office in Berlin-Kreuzberg will be guided by stainless steel signs from Karlsruhe. Our award-winning symbols from the hand of Andreas Winkler were combined on a toilet sign and directional arrows. The origins of the Bundesdruckerei date back to the 18th century. Printing has been carried out on behalf of the state in the capital for 250 years. Banknotes, stamps, visas, vehicle documents and tobacco tax stamps are produced here. It also produces everything that is part of a secure identity, such as the recording and management of biographical and biometric data and the production of ID documents.

Pictograms and wardrobes at PORSCHE Design

F. A. Porsche, designer of the Porsche 911, enjoyed a reputation as a functionalist. After leaving the sports car company as head designer in 1972, he founded his own design studio: Porsche Design. "If you think about the function of a thing, the form sometimes emerges by itself," was his credo. Design had to be functional and functionality had to be visually translated into aesthetics. The purism of Porsche Design always demands authenticity and exposes everything that is unnecessary and superfluous. - There is nothing to add to this and it corresponds to our design line. We are delighted that Porsche Design has opted for PHOS door pictograms and numerous free-standing wardrobes.

PHOS door signs and pictograms in the UNESCO World Heritage Site

We received an interesting e-mail from our former intern Rene. He discovered our pictograms at Maulbronn Abbey during a weekend tour. The UNESCO World Heritage Site and former Cistercian abbey is considered to be the best-preserved medieval monastery complex north of the Alps and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. This is where the Swabian Maultasche was invented. Legend has it that in order to get round the ban on eating meat on Fridays and during Lent, the cunning monks chopped up the meat and mixed it with herbs. This made it look like vegetable porridge. It was also hidden in pockets of pasta dough. This dish was popularly known as "Maul "tasche" after the name of the monastery and is also jokingly referred to as "Herrgottsbscheißerle".

PHOS doorstop at the CARLTON Hotel St. Moritz

We have more references for PHOS products in the Engadin. After supplying the new OVERVERA indoor swimming pool, spa & sports centre in St. Moritz with wall hooks this summer, we have now supplied the traditional CARLTON hotel in St. Moritz with customised door stoppers. The CARLTON St. Moritz is one of the best hotels in Switzerland. Opened in 1913, it is situated in a unique location in St. Moritz's sunniest spot with a view of the lake.

20 years of PHOS Design and a new location in the Rhine harbour!

Just in time for the 20th anniversary of our founding, we move to new premises on 1 July 2014! We are moving to our new location in the Rhine harbour in Karlsruhe. From wonderful new rooms in a renovated industrial loft, we will have a wonderful view of the harbour with its colourful hustle and bustle. Read more about this in our blog >>

PHOS takes over workshop operations

With the move to our new location, we integrated a long-standing supplier on 1 July. Metallwerkstatt Theodor Faisst from Ettlingen is an ideal addition to our company. We are expanding our possibilities for individual production in the sense of mass customisation. We are now able to realise individual customer wishes directly in our workshop in an even more efficient way from the design and construction stage.
Read more about this in our blog >>

PHOS coat hooks in the Niederösterreich Haus Krems (AUT)

The result of the international competition for the Niederösterreich Haus in Krems shows how it was possible to construct Austria's largest office passive house in the small-scale city centre of Krems and thereby achieve special qualities. The consortium consisting of the architectural firms AllesWirdGut, feld72 and FCP emerged as the winner. Niederösterreich Haus Krems sets new standards in ecological office construction. During operation, CO₂ emissions are reduced by one hundred tonnes per year - as much as is produced by heating 25 detached houses! Hochgerner Möbelwerkstätte installed a large number of our coat hooks.

The first day at the new location is also the first day for two new employees

With Dieter Ott and Hubert Breuss, we have gained two new PHOSIANS for the manufactory. Dieter Ott is a trained locksmith and machining specialist. Hubert Breuss has dual training as a car mechanic and gunsmith. Both have many years of experience and will strengthen our team in the manufactory.

Cloakroom hooks for Rabobank in Rotterdam

We are delighted to have received an order from the Netherlands. We are supplying a large number of our coat and clothes hooks to Rabobank in Rotterdam. H 20-140 in a customised length. The wall hook protruding as a single element was already requested in spring as a sample in a customised length and presented as a hand sample in a length of 20 cm. Fitted with a concealed wall rosette, our wall hooks serve as individual, solid coat hooks in numerous offices.

IF Product Design Award for door stopper

We are delighted to have won the IF Product Design Award for the new Volcano and Volcanino door stoppers. The door stopper immediately received the iF Product Design Award 2013 for its form and function, designed by Andreas Winkler.

You can find an overview of our doorstops on the Doorstops product page >>

The PHOS Blog is online!

We launched our blog at the weekend! On the PHOS blog, we regularly report on our PHOTO competition, our products and the latest news from our everyday office and workshop life. Click here to go directly to the PHOS Blog >>

PHOS coat hooks in the Räthische Bahn - UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our hooks made of solid stainless steel were installed by the Schneider joinery in Switzerland in the panorama train of the Bernina Express and Glacier Express of the Rhaetian Railway. Now our hooks are travelling on the impressive and perhaps most beautiful railway line in the world - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overview of our wall hooks >>

Special prize for HFT competition house with PHOS

The home+ competition house is honoured with the special prize for student projects for building-integrated solar technology. 84 projects from 13 countries were assessed by the jury. The jury based its award on the convincingly ingenious energy concept. With the architecture prize, the Solarenergieförderverein Bayern e. V. (SeV) recognises outstanding contributions to the planning and design of building-integrated solar systems and draws the public's attention to exemplary solutions in high-quality architecture.