# Rolf Benz Rolf Benz streamlines bespoke furniture design and complex product configurations using the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform, integrating design, simulation and visualization to accelerate time-to-market. ![Rolf Benz hero image > Dassault Systèmes](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-hero-image.jpg) [ Watch the video 3 minutes ](https://youtu.be/PYKIDkxFnZo) Craftmanship Meets Innovation to Create Sustainable Furniture In 1964, 31-year-old German upholsterer Rolf Benz released his first furniture range, Addiform, aiming to create luxurious, flexible lounge seating for a rapidly changing household. “It was a time of new beginnings in every respect,” [Benz said at a 2023 strategy summit](https://www.canadianinteriors.com/2025/01/30/in-memoriam-rolf-benz/). “Furniture no longer fitted into German living rooms, partly because television was taking over. Efficient use of space with more coziness and better comfort were now just as popular as new design.” Addiform was a success, revolutionizing living rooms with modular furniture designs. As a result, Rolf Benz quickly became a symbol of high-quality, sustainable sofas made in Germany. Six decades later, the company has grown from 35 employees to more than 350, serving individual customers as well as cruise ships, hotels and urban hospitality projects. Despite this growth, the company’s original strategic differentiation still defines the brand. “As the best-known brand for upholstered furniture in Germany, we are committed to ‘human-loving design’, emphasizing the individuality of our customers,” said Jens Kittel, Rolf Benz’s brand manager. “Each custom furniture piece is lovingly crafted in the Black Forest – tailor-made from a selection of over 100 leathers and more than 200 fabrics.” Over the years, Rolf Benz has perfected the way it designs and markets its products. It’s done this by using best-in-class software from Dassault Systèmes, beginning with the use of CATIA in the 1990s and, more recently, by embracing [the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud](/cloud "3DEXPERIENCE Platform on the Cloud"). (Rolf Benz customer video) rolf_benz_-_sustainable_furniture_|_dassault_systèmes 3 minutes 20 Pop-up window Click for the Rolf Benz video transcript **Jens Kittel, Brand Manager, Rolf Benz:** At Rolf Benz, it’s about more than just design. Our furniture delivers exceptional seating comfort, offers long lasting quality, and individual craftsmanship produced to the highest standards here in the northern part of the Black Forest. Exceptional furniture requires exceptional technology. **Pirmin König, Head of Engineering, Rolf Benz:** The digital continuity saves us time, effort, material, and work. **Jens Kittel:** We offer our customers almost unlimited possibilities from flexible layouts and customizable models to exquisite upholstery, premium fabrics, and refined leather finishes. **Pirmin König:** Before fabric or leather ever enter series production, our upholstered furniture passes through an intensive development process that brings together design, product management and our craft-focused prototype workshop. Acting as the central hub, the construction department coordinates a wide range of requirements every day. To support all the activity and collaboration, we use the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud. **Alexander Kiefer, Design Engineer, Rolf Benz:** During the engineering phase, the focus goes beyond technology and design. We translate comfort and upholstry character into a precise virtual twin. In CATIA our products look highly realistic. Details such as upholstery folds and handcrafted details, such as seams allow customers to see how materials and colors work together and get a sense of the coziness. **Joachim Kummert, Design Engineer, Rolf Benz:** We've been happily working with CATIA for many years now because it's actually quite user-friendly. CATIA allows us to intuitively develop the wood and metal substructures and then model the finished form on top and define the ergonomics. **Alexander Kiefer:** With 3DEXCITE, we create the basis for photorealistic models. Interior designers and customers can virtually plan with the 3D data in the online configurator, try out variants, and see how their selected piece of furniture looks in their own home. **Stefan Russ, Head of R&D, Rolf Benz:** Our customers, mainly individual buyers, but also in our Contract Business, can configure and experience our furniture at a very early stage. This virtual twin means a lot to us. By using simulation on the platform, we can start production 1 or 2 months earlier by reducing buffers. This is possible particularly through the precise design and structural analysis of tool-specific components like furniture legs. **Martin Theurer, Design Engineer, Rolf Benz:** With structural simulations, we test the material, stability, and safety of the individual components. This way, we can meet our high-quality standards and optimize our material use in line with our sustainability principles. **Jens Kittel:** Every line, every detail, every emotion takes shape and perfected beforehand. This is how we combine our craftsmanship with Dassault Systèmes‘ technology to create visionary and timeless customer experiences. Modern Challenges Require Digital Innovation As a premium furniture brand, Rolf Benz faces many challenges. Its commitment to sustainable manufacturing, for example, brings complexity. While competitors moved their manufacturing processes abroad to save money, Rolf Benz kept most of its suppliers local and every level of its production in-house. “Our fabric and leather warehouse, cutting, sewing, pre-upholstery, upholstery, inspection and packaging are all in Nagold, and wooden frame production is just 20 kilometers away,” Kittel said. “Durability is our core principle, because nothing is more sustainable than a product with a long service life.” This commitment to locality keeps transport emissions low and helps Rolf Benz maintain rigorous quality standards. However, it also brings higher production, energy and personnel costs, leaving little room for inefficiency. Further challenges come from the company’s extensive product range, which is designed for maximum configurability. Customers can choose from different upholsteries, seating heights, depths, leg lengths and various module combinations. While this flexibility is a defining feature of a Rolf Benz product, designing and presenting an almost infinite number of product configurations is one of the company’s biggest challenges – not least because it manages this complexity with fragmented processes. “Presenting design concepts to customers is anything but easy, given all the variations we offer,” Kittel said. “End-consumers and retailers want modern, digital tools, particularly in the pre-purchase phase. We are increasingly expected to offer advanced solutions like virtual showrooms to deliver sophisticated customer experiences.” To create this type of experience, Rolf Benz relied on marketing assets created by external agencies, which added significant time and cost. Rolf Benz and Dassault Systèmes share the same appreciation of virtual worlds. By leveraging the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform, we enable our customers to experience our products before they even exist. Jens Kittel Brand Manager, Rolf Benz ![Rolf Benz Jens Kittel > Dassault Systèmes](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-jens-kittel.jpg) Embracing a Unified Approach to Furniture Design and Marketing To meet its challenges, Rolf Benz required a solid foundation for collaborative design, simulation, visualization and digital continuity across its entire product lifecycle. That’s why it adopted Dassault Systèmes’ **3D**EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud. “The complexity of our work requires high-end furniture design software,” said Joachim Kummert, a design engineer at Rolf Benz. “Since we have been working successfully with CATIA for many years, switching to the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud was a logical step. Staying loyal to one system also promises minimal friction during a system upgrade.” Adopting the cloud-based version of the platform meant Rolf Benz eliminated the need for dedicated infrastructure or complex IT maintenance – and would also ensure the company always had access to the most up-to-date software available. It also supported remote work. “Using the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud allows us to access real-time data from anywhere – whether that’s at a supplier’s site, in the office, or at home,” Kummert said. Support from technology partner SCHWINDT DIGITAL was integral to the effective rollout of the solution. SCHWINDT DIGITAL began by demonstrating a test system, allowing Rolf Benz to decide which features best suited its needs. It then began implementation, carried out in close coordination with Rolf Benz’s IT department. “Successfully transitioning to the platform was only possible through a close collaborative and trusted partnership with SCHWINDT DIGITAL and Dassault Systèmes,” said Pirmin König, Rolf Benz’s head of design engineering. “Both companies provided exceptional support during the testing and implementation phases – and continue to do so today. I’m particularly proud of my entire team. Their enthusiasm was integral to the success of the migration and they always perform their work with high motivation.” Blending craftsmanship with cutting-edge tech, Rolf Benz uses CATIA on the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform to design, simulate, and streamline complex, customizable furniture—while 3DEXCITE transforms this data into photorealistic visuals, enabling faster development, fewer prototypes, and immersive customer experiences. [![Rolf Benz furniture assembly design open in CATIA on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud.](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-platform-image.jpg)](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-platform-image.jpg) [![Rolf Benz designer using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on dual monitors to configure a custom sofa in 3D.](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-platform-image-sofa.jpg)](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-platform-image-sofa.jpg) [![Person using a tablet to visualize Rolf Benz furniture in augmented reality with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-visualization.jpg)](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-visualization.jpg) [![Rolf Benz furniture design displayed in CATIA on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform showing a 3D sofa model assembly.](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-platform-image-catia.jpg)](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-platform-image-catia.jpg) Migrating legacy data to the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud was a critical early step. The first export was automated, using a program developed by SCHWINDT DIGITAL. While the import process was more complex, it resulted in a much cleaner and more manageable design database. “We had to reprocess and re-export some of our older data because we realized it was not optimally maintained,” Kummert said. “However, this allowed us to clean up and restructure our legacy data.” Familiar workflows eased adoption, so SCHWINDT DIGITAL only needed to deliver minimal training. “Since we were existing CATIA users, we already had a good understanding of the software,” said Alexander Kiefer, a design engineer at Rolf Benz. “It only took a few days to become productive.” The **3D**EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud quickly allowed Rolf Benz to transform its product development process. Using [ENOVIA](/products/enovia/3dexperience "3DEXPERIENCE ENOVIA"), all engineers now collaborate seamlessly from a single 3D dataset that serves the entire product lifecycle, spanning design and engineering, simulation, marketing and production assembly. “Before material or leather can be cut, our furniture goes through a complex development process and design and product management collaborate with our very traditional and craft-oriented prototype and development workshop,” König said. “The engineering department is the focal point during this phase, matching and balancing all the various requirements. The **3D**EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud makes it easy to manage the process. Here, the team can work in parallel, leveraging clearly defined roles. For example, while one engineer designs wooden and metal frames, another can use that data to develop soft components like cushions and foam parts for the same project. The platform has allowed processes to be optimized and partially standardized – without losing the flexibility that is required to meet daily, changing demands.” (Schwindt Digital - Rolf Benz partner video) schwindt_digital_-_driving_success_with_rolf_benz_|_dassault_systèmes 2 minutes 2 Pop-up window SCHWINDT DIGITAL, technology partner of Dassault Systèmes, supported Rolf Benz in successfully migrating to the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud. Click here for the Schwindt Digital - Rolf Benz video transcript **Pirmin König, Head of Design Engineering, Rolf Benz:** Rolf Benz has a long-standing and very trustworthy partnership with SCHWINDT DIGITAL. During our digital transformation and migration to the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud, we always received support tailored to our needs. **Matthias de Biasi, Customer Relationship Expert, SCHWINDT DIGITAL:** First, we evaluated the existing processes and then we planned methods and workflows. The migration itself was a structured process. We cleaned existing data, removed duplicates, consolidated outdated versions and fixed inconsistencies. With this approach, we achieved a clean, consistent database, which was then transferred to the cloud without interrupting ongoing operations. During our ongoing exchange with Rolf Benz, we’ve detected huge potential to facilitate marketing and visualization models. As a result, visualization data is created in-house directly from the CAD data, which makes the overall process much faster and a lot more flexible. For SCHWINDT DIGITAL, a project isn’t finished with the go-live. We continue to support customers like Rolf Benz with training and support. Together, we drive the virtual twin forward. **Pirmin König:** The entire project was only possible through a true partnership with Dassault Systèmes and SCHWINDT DIGITAL, but also thanks to my highly motivated team. That, I’m really proud of. Designing Complex Organic Shapes with Ease A standout feature of the new workflow is CATIA Imagine & Shape, a tool that revolutionizes how Rolf Benz models organic, freeform surfaces. As in the automotive industry, life-size prototypes of armchairs are first built to develop not only the design but also the ergonomics and comfort. These prototypes are then scanned, and the native mesh data is imported into CATIA as a design template for surface modeling. “In the past, we had to create wireframe geometry first, then manually draw surfaces in a second step,” Kiefer said. “With CATIA Imagine & Shape, we can start directly with surfaces. We create and edit them by manipulating control-point meshes, and we can still use standard CATIA tools – like split, fillet, intersect or surface-based part design features – on these subdivision surfaces. The workflow is intuitive; shaping feels like pottery or sculpting. It’s actually enjoyable.” As a result, designers can easily model the soft surfaces that define the unique look and feel of Rolf Benz furniture. They can incorporate folds, waves, and other subtle deformations to convey a realistic, cozy appearance. “After creating clean, smooth surfaces with Imagine & Shape, we intentionally crumple and sculpt them again,” Kiefer said. “The challenge – and the fun – is to make the product look cozy, soft, pillowy and plush.” In contract business, especially, time is critical. If a planner requests a prototype, calculation or product visualization for a specific date, we cannot deliver a week late – the opportunity would be lost. This is where the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform gives us a major advantage. Pirmin König Head of Design Engineering, Rolf Benz ![Rolf Benz Pirmin König > Dassault Systèmes](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-pirmin-konig.jpg) Structural Simulation Brings Speed and Efficiency When fed into [SIMULIA](/products/simulia/3dexperience-simulia "3DEXPERIENCE SIMULIA "), the 3D data enables engineers to assess the strength and durability of every piece of furniture they create through finite-element analysis. “Structural simulation helps us understand the static behavior of components in furniture during the development process,” said Martin Theurer, one of the company’s design engineers. “It means we can optimize the design before the part is physically manufactured.” For example, when developing the JAZ sofa design, engineers could quickly validate whether an aluminum beam could withstand significant force on the sofa’s backrest. They did this by first defining the material properties, boundary conditions and applied forces, then simulating the stresses acting on the part. “The results can be analyzed immediately and compared against other design variants,” Theurer said. “We can map stress distributions and identify weak points, adjusting the digital model to enhance durability and reliability. This entire process can run in parallel with ongoing design work by colleagues, without the need for duplicate models. It is also possible for several users to work on the same assembly simultaneously, allowing us to divide large projects and workloads efficiently.” By using structural analysis software in this way, product development has become more efficient. Integrating design and simulation early lets teams identify and resolve potential flaws before they affect downstream processes. Early validation supports critical components like molds and tooling, reducing costly modifications and preventing production delays. These improvements translate into a crucial speed advantage. “The integrated simulation allows us to reduce the number of physical prototypes, which in turn decreases testing and inspection work,” said Stefan Russ, Rolf Benz’s head of research and development. “This lowers costs and gives us a time-to-market advantage – because we know the design will pass quality, safety and material tests, we can reduce planning buffers and move into production one to two months earlier, particularly for tool-bound components such as furniture feet, fittings and highly stressed structural parts.” Our digital unit now creates full marketing content – from simple cutouts to detailed close-ups that capture extravagant craftsmanship, including seam stitching and the soft, cozy folds \[...\] Bringing this process in-house has made us faster and more flexible. Alexander Kiefer Design Engineer, Rolf Benz ![Rolf Benz Alexander Kiefer > Dassault Systèmes](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-alexander-kiefer.jpg) Speed isn’t the only benefit. “While the quantitative benefits are clear, there’s also a qualitative impact,” König said. “Using advanced simulation tools is really enjoyable and provides an additional boost of motivation for our employees.” Leveraging simulation has strengthened sustainability too: by integrating digital simulation and validation and reducing its reliance on physical prototypes, Rolf Benz is conserving materials and reducing waste. “Simulation helps us ensure the highest quality of critical components during the design phase, instead of relying solely on physical testing,” Russ said. “We still test our products, of course – but now that happens without surprises. Over the past few years, we have carried out many simulations with very positive real-world results. That’s the real strength of the platform.” Once the furniture designs are finalized, the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform delivers further efficiencies to the shop floor. The use of SIMULIA has enhanced predictability, allowing Rolf Benz to plan production timelines with far greater confidence that late design changes won’t impact production. Meanwhile, the design data created in CATIA now informs detailed work instructions, making assembly more accurate and efficient. “Instead of manually photographing each work step, we have begun generating assembly instructions directly from the 3D data – a new capability that we plan to expand in the coming years,” Russ said. “This will be particularly advantageous in our contract business, where we are increasingly required to provide more detailed documentation to customers.” Rolf Benz has been shaping modern living since 1964 with sustainable, customizable furniture that blends craftsmanship and innovation. Here’s a glimpse into their impressive portfolio: [![Rolf Benz gray sectional sofa with teal and white cushions in a modern Scandinavian-style living room.](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-basic_0.png)](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-basic_0.png) [![Rolf Benz modular gray sectional sofa in a minimalist living room, designed using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-function_0.png)](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-function_0.png) [![Rolf Benz green leather sectional sofa with chaise in a modern living room, showcasing premium sustainable furniture design.](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-premium_0.png)](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-premium_0.png) [![Rolf Benz modular sofa with tan leather arms and grey fabric cushions, designed using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-design.png)](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-design.png) Bringing Digital Furniture to Life Outside of engineering, the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform also plays a central role in visualization. Using [Dassault Systèmes’ commercial innovation suite 3DEXCITE](/products/3dexcite "3DEXCITE"), which includes UV mapping and texture tools, Rolf Benz can create photorealistic 3D visuals directly from its CATIA models. This allows the company to produce digital replicas of thousands of product variants without photographing every configuration, reducing its reliance on external marketing agencies. “3DEXCITE serves as a bridge between CAD data and the polygon-mesh world of visualization applications,” Kiefer said. “Based on the technical design data, the visualization reflects the true modularity of the products, including size grids, foot variants and seat heights.” The digital replicas of products are leveraged directly by customers through online product configurator software like the Roomle 3D product configurator, which Rolf Benz uses on its website. Here, customers can customize and visualize furniture options virtually before purchase – meeting modern expectations for advanced digital experiences. The models are also fed into other planning and design tools, such as SketchUp and HomeByMe. This ensures that designers, architects and customers can work with accurate, high-fidelity data across platforms. “While our original goal was simply to feed the Roomle 3D product configurator, our digital unit now creates full marketing content – from simple cutouts to detailed close-ups that capture extravagant craftsmanship, including seam stitching and the soft, cozy folds that give Rolf Benz furniture its distinctive character,” Kiefer said. “Bringing this process in-house has made us faster and more flexible.” The integrated simulation allows us to reduce the number of physical prototypes, which in turn decreases testing and inspection work. This lowers costs and gives us a time-to-market advantage – because we know the design will pass quality, safety and material tests, we can reduce planning buffers and move into production one to two months earlier \[...\]. Stefan Russ Head of Research and Development, Rolf Benz ![Rolf Benz Stefan Russ > Dassault Systèmes](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/rolf-benz-stefan-russ.jpg) Engineering the Future of Customization With the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform now at its foundation, Rolf Benz is looking to build on its existing capabilities to deliver even greater personalization and digital engagement for its customers. “In the future, it will be even more important for customers to enjoy the decision-making process itself,” Kittel said. “To achieve this, we need closer interaction and exchange with our customers – and perfect digital twins of our products will be essential.” Rolf Benz also expects to expand its contract business, particularly in bespoke furniture solutions for cruise ships, hospitality and corporate environments. “We plan to build on our recent collaboration with TUI Cruises, for example, where we delivered over 1,700 sofas in three formats for the first cruise liner in the new InTUItion class of the Hamburg-based shipping line,” Russ said. “In contract business, especially, time is critical,” König added. “If a planner requests a prototype, calculation or product visualization for a specific date, we cannot deliver a week late – the opportunity would be lost. This is where the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform gives us a major advantage.” That’s not all. Keen to unlock future capabilities afforded by artificial intelligence, Rolf Benz has begun trialing the use of algorithm-driven design automation, including scripting to automate repetitive modeling tasks like stitching and cloth folds. “Manually visualizing stitches for a single sofa can take many hours,” Kiefer said. “With the algorithm, it happens almost instantly. The same principle applies to simulating complex folds and waves, where scripting combined with simulation tools delivers results in seconds. These examples may seem simple, but they clearly demonstrate the potential of automation for realistic, high-detail visualization.” Ultimately, the experts at Rolf Benz agree that Dassault Systèmes’ **3D**EXPERIENCE platform capabilities will position their company for the future – no matter what it looks like. “Rolf Benz and Dassault Systèmes share the same appreciation of virtual worlds,” Kittel said. “By leveraging the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform, we enable our customers to experience our products before they even exist. Craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology are converging – and it’s exciting to see the results.” Focus on Rolf Benz Since 1964, Rolf Benz has been synonymous with stylish home décor, top-class seating comfort, pioneering design, innovative functionality and top quality that is ‘Made in Germany’. The company’s exacting high-quality standards mean accompanying each production step with passion, from the initial design draft to the very last stitch, as well as with attentiveness: the economical use of renewable resources and the shortest transport routes are mainstays of its fully integrated production process. **For more information:** [http://rolf-benz.com](http://www.rolf-benz.com) ![Rolf Benz logo > Dassault Systèmes](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-03/benz_logo_rz.jpg) Focus on Schwindt Digital For over 30 years, SCHWINDT DIGITAL has helped businesses realize their full innovative potential. Its team of highly experienced consultants possesses specialized knowledge of digital process optimization solutions, with know-how spanning the depth and breadth of Dassault Systèmes solutions. With digitalization, innovation and sustainability at its core, SCHWINDT DIGITAL tackles the most challenging technical issues faced by businesses today. It offers virtual and in-person training, high-powered equipment, laboratories a product data management competence center and 24-hour service. ![schwindt logo > Dassault Systèmes](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2020-07/schwindt-partner-logo.jpg) [ Explore Schwindt Digital ](https://www.3ds.com/partners/partner-details/100000000001308_SCHWINDT_DIGITAL_GMBH)