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Alki´s path started in 1981 in a small village in the northern Basque Country, in Itsasu. In a time of economic difficulties a group of five friends founded a small chair factory that we named Alki "which means chair in Basque" with the aim of creating jobs in a weakly industrialised region. The cooperative status was the most suitable to our values which are an essential part of our day-to-day existence
Combining ancestral tradition and modern technology, Alki now offers conviviality in a more contemporary style.
Combining ancestral tradition and modern technology, Alki now offers conviviality in a more contemporary style.
Our principles
Any person or entity is always defined by many features and characteristics. Everything we do as individuals or as a collective or organisation speaks what we are, what we like, what we defend, what we believe in. Some of these features are palpable, others are intangible. It is these last ones that we are interested in. At Alki we gathered these principles, that help us communicate who we are and what we believe in.
MEMORY
"BECAUSE YOU WERE WE ARE,BECAUSE WE ARE THEY WIL BE"
Alki uses the memory of the past, which forms our identity, as a catalyst for creativity and innovation. In this way, the future takes on meaning for us as the continuation of this narrative. The company continues to evolve along these lines, using our know- how to craft products that are imbued with sentimental value.
Alki uses the memory of the past, which forms our identity, as a catalyst for creativity and innovation. In this way, the future takes on meaning for us as the continuation of this narrative. The company continues to evolve along these lines, using our know- how to craft products that are imbued with sentimental value.
CO-OPERATIVE CULTURE
"WORKING TOGETHER TRUSTING EACH OTHER"
The men and women who have chosen to work at Alki believe passionately in the cooperative economic model. They have built a company with a solid economic and human foundation, one that does justice to the idea of a collective. Another factor that contributes to this success is the company's careful selection of local partners that provide us with the highest quality services.
The men and women who have chosen to work at Alki believe passionately in the cooperative economic model. They have built a company with a solid economic and human foundation, one that does justice to the idea of a collective. Another factor that contributes to this success is the company's careful selection of local partners that provide us with the highest quality services.
WOOD
"BEING SUSTAINABLE IS NOT AN OPTION,IT IS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD"
At Alki, oak, the most noble of woods, is more than a raw material. It is a symbol of our deep commitment to guiding the company towards rational and sustainable development.
At Alki, oak, the most noble of woods, is more than a raw material. It is a symbol of our deep commitment to guiding the company towards rational and sustainable development.
KNOW HOW
"YOU CAN'T RUSH WHAT IS MEANT TO LAST"
At Alki's core lies an abundance of skill and know-how that blurs the boundaries between the artisanal and the industrial. For more than fourty years, different trades and diverse experiences have been contributing to a shared goal that everyone is proud to believe in.
At Alki's core lies an abundance of skill and know-how that blurs the boundaries between the artisanal and the industrial. For more than fourty years, different trades and diverse experiences have been contributing to a shared goal that everyone is proud to believe in.
DESIGN
"THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THE ESSENTIAL"
Our approach to design is a simple one. For us, design isn't a disguise, but rather the continuous pursuit of purification. The relationship between a person and an object, the resonance of a piece, the pleasure that one gets from using it... that's what matters to us.
Our approach to design is a simple one. For us, design isn't a disguise, but rather the continuous pursuit of purification. The relationship between a person and an object, the resonance of a piece, the pleasure that one gets from using it... that's what matters to us.
ENGAGEMENT
"MADE IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY"
Alki grew out of a strong desire to live and work in our region. More than a furniture company, this is a genuine economic and cultural endeavour. The goal of the cooperative is to contribute to the development of the Basque Country by generating jobs and wealth.
Alki grew out of a strong desire to live and work in our region. More than a furniture company, this is a genuine economic and cultural endeavour. The goal of the cooperative is to contribute to the development of the Basque Country by generating jobs and wealth.
Chonology Alki
1981
Alki was created in 1981 in the rural and non-industrial environment of Itsasu, a small Basque Country village nestling in the Pyrenean foothills. The cooperative emerged thanks to five friends who joined forces to create jobs in the area. Alki means "chair" in the Basque language. Right from the very start, Alki focused on traditional furniture, mostly for the French market.
1984
Things were not easy at the beginning; in 1984 a fire destroyed part of the production workshop. All the cooperative members rolled up their sleeves and set about reconstructing the building, making it even bigger and better than before.
1986
The level of requirement put in to working the wood, the quality of our materials and the launching of a series of collections enabled us to quickly position Alki as a reference in the traditional French furniture sector. More experienced craftsmen were taken on to keep up with the increasing demand to reach a total of fifteen skilled journeymen.
1994
In the mid-1990s, Spain, Portugal and Italy saw their currency devalued and from that moment on the main distributors of classic furniture turned to these countries for their supplies. The French furniture sector began to suffer from the consequences of this strong competition.
1998
In order to cope with the crisis facing traditional furniture, we identified the necessity of differentiating our offering and so we started combining woodwork with wrought iron. The Biarritz range saw the light of day and was met with resounding success, enabling us to maintain our position in the market for the next few years.
2005
The traditional furniture sector continued to decline sharply. Peio Uhalde, Alki's Chairman, was increasingly preoccupied with the company's critical position and decided to contact the industrial designer Jean Louis Iratzoki: a working relationship began that would see the company steer its production towards new markets.
2007
The Emea collection resulted from the first collaboration with Jean Louis Iratzoki: the solid wood furniture perfectly highlights the expertise of Alki's master craftsmen. The collection drew a great deal of attention when it was presented at the Maison&Objet trade fair in Paris. The Laia and Kuskoa collections then followed, clearly showing Alki's new direction.
2009
The real transformation occurred thanks to the in-depth work of a united team. Going beyond the product itself, we developed a project pivoted on the brand that is deeply rooted in our values and ideas. By reflecting together on this project, we have enabled Alki to reinvent itself day after day.
2010
Under the artistic direction of Jean Louis Iratzoki, new product ranges were developed with designers Samuel Accoceberry and Patrick Norguet. Our creations, to which it is so easy to be emotionally attached, combined oak and natural wools. They began to be seen as a source of reference in the contemporary furniture market.
2014
Today, Alki has negotiated the bend in the road and its change of direction is truly consolidated. The conviviality expressed by our products is appreciated in all four corners of the world. Alki furnishes not only contemporary houses, traditional apartments, the MuCEM restaurant in Marseille, the Louis Vuitton Foundation and the offices of Quiksilver.
