Interview with Magnus Olsson
Myra Part of Prevas
Red Dot: COMBO is defined by its modularity. Was that the starting point for the development of this locker system?
Modularity was indeed the core idea behind this product. I was genuinely surprised to discover that, up to that point, there were no modular systems in the locker cabinet segment. In truth, developing it turned out to be more demanding than I had initially expected, but I am very pleased with the result. Thanks to its modularity, COMBO is now our best-selling locker system.
In your view, what matters most when furnishing functional spaces?
Durability – that’s the be-all and end-all for commercial interiors. Modularity is an important factor here, as it offers virtually unlimited possibilities for design and future modifications.
All components, from the doors to the interior fittings, can be replaced in COMBO. That also supports the demand for greater sustainability, doesn’t it?
Absolutely. Concern for the environment is increasingly being reduced to a marketing slogan, and many companies only pretend to act sustainably. But it is simply not enough to use recyclable materials and “green energy” if products are thrown away after two to five years. For me, extending a product’s lifespan is a genuine commitment – a meaningful contribution to environmental protection.
Is adaptability something customers in interior architecture are asking for more frequently?
Definitely. Let me give you an example: one of our clients, a well-known gym chain, decided to order additional shoe racks after opening six sites. With conventional locker systems, it wouldn’t have been possible to add extra elements. But we were able to supply additional racks for their COMBO cabinets without difficulty, at just a fraction of the cost of a completely new purchase.
So in this case, intelligent design goes beyond aesthetics and function?
Yes, the modularity of COMBO solves a range of problems and thereby delivers significant added value. The design concept is actually quite obvious, but for some unfathomable reason, no one had ever taken it through to market maturity. My father is right when he says: the simplest solutions are the hardest to find.
