I was recruited into Hestan to spearhead the design and development of a new luxury indoor kitchen product line. This posed an unwavering challenge on a variety of fronts. The Hestan engineering team in Anaheim was responsible for development of the gas ranges whereas I was charged with the remaining kitchen suite of products. Designing and launching a new luxury indoor kitchen brand is a tall order largely due to the existing competition at the premium level...not to mention having one year to complete this.

In search of OEM partners for refrigeration, dish, ventilation, and all remaining cooking products, one thing was clear…no one in the US was going to appease our needs. Through in-depth research of the luxury industry in and outside of the US, I created a full product roadmap showing the possibilities. The plan was to launch the new kitchen products at KBIS the following year. Rather than showing one gas range and a few other products, the roadmap I presented laid out a complete kitchen suite and how it was achievable. Pulled aside later I was asked by the company president if I could actually pull this off. The answer was an enthusiastic, yes.

After thorough research, my decision was to work with and develop relationships with quality, high-end manufacturers in Italy and France. This encompassed all the needs for the full suite of the new product line. The main challenge was the timing required to build the relationships, agree upon terms, design and develop the products and accomplish this for the following KBIS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The VBL for Hestan had already been somewhat established by the line of outdoor grills. There were a few key design elements to incorporate into the new kitchen suite. The most significant design element being the textured stainless marquis pattern as shown integrated into my gas cooktop design.

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One major decision I took in the design process was for no plastic parts with the focus on all metal and glass interior components. These are premium luxury appliances with a hefty price tag. This commitment to quality materials not only enhances the overall aesthetics and durability of the products but also reinforces the perception of luxury and value among consumers.

My strategic approach was to minimize capital investment in tooling. The only cast metal part is the door bin end cap with all other components of quality extruded aluminum. Cost-effective and efficient, extrusion dies represent a substantially lower investment compared to casting tools; crucial for optimizing production costs and timing while maintaining high-quality standards and contributing to the overall value proposition. This attention to detail and strategic decision-making reinforce my dedication to delivering excellence in design, functionality and meeting deadlines.