This ain’t your daddy’s office furniture. Defined by bold colours, sleek lines and unpretentious bent-steel construction, Keilhauer and Division Twelve’s new series boldly embraces the soft contract movement – while announcing the partnership between the two Canadian companies. Keilhauer recently acquired Division Twelve, and the collection signals the opening of a promising new chapter in Canadian design.

Founded in 2017, Edmonton-based Division Twelve has quickly established a reputation for creating simple but well-made hospitality furnishings with defiant individuality and flair. Fabricated entirely in North America, the company’s impressive seating portfolio combines a striking design aesthetic with thoughtful versatility and a timeless sense of proportion and craft. Marketed with the provocative tagline “Get Bent,” the new collection of chairs, stools, tables and benches is no different.

For Division Twelve, which had previously focused on the hospitality scene, the partnership with Keilhauer represents a new foray into contract design. Durable and adaptable, the new furnishings foster an energetic and communal ambiance for delightfully unconventional meeting or luncheon areas. With 20 powder coat tones available to customize each piece, the colour palette offers ample opportunity to create bespoke spaces.

According to Division Twelve founder Geoffrey Lilge, the partnership “opens a lot of doors” without compromising the brand’s commitment to craft and making. “By joining Keilhauer we can scale the manufacturing to reach new spaces, markets and designers around the world while maintaining our quality focus,” says Lilge, who will continue to serve as Division Twelve’s Creative Director. “Keilhauer consistently leads the way for incredible design and quality. They understand modern design and they understand the marketplace.”

The acquisition complements Keilhauer’s sophisticated contract furnishings with a more playful, energetic sensibility. “From the moment I first saw Division Twelve I was struck by a feeling of joy,” says Mike Keilhauer, the manufacturer’s president. The debut collection is a testament to this feeling. “It’s a resilient, sustainable, adaptable and – most importantly – fun product,” he says. “It can really inject some excitement into an office hub.”

The new partnership also reflects broader workplace trends. “Mobile technology means that most people don’t need to be at work to do work,” says Keilhauer. “So why go to the office? It’s about the people and the culture. When we design to support culture, we are designing with people and joy in mind, so that we can make them feel inspired and happy.”