06/12/2025 - Friedrich Wilhelm Dauphin receives HiP Award

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The company’s founder and shareholder Friedrich Wilhelm Dauphin has been presented with the HiP Award in recognition of his impressive life’s work. The award was presented by the Interior Design magazine on 8 June 2025 during the American NeoCon trade fair held in Chicago.

The HiP Award (Honoring Industry People & Products) is given to innovative products and remarkable individuals from the world of design. For the last twelve years, the Interior Design magazine has been presenting this award in two main categories and a number of sub-categories. In the “People” category and “Manufacturer: Lifetime of HiPness”, Friedrich W. Dauphin has just been honoured with the HiP Award in recognition of his extraordinary life’s work.

In awarding him this accolade, the jury recognises the 86-year-old’s impressive career – defined by courage, a drive to pursue innovation and dedication – and his special achievements in the (office) furniture industry. The laudation describes the company founder’s astonishing life and key milestones: “In 1968, at just 30 years of age, Dauphin took the bold step of acquiring the German subsidiary of the English manufacturer Evertaut and began importing and selling office chairs throughout Germany. Equipped with nothing more than a briefcase and a sample chair, he quickly picked up his first big order [...]. Dauphin has consistently combined ergonomics with modern design, helping to shape the future of solutions for the workplace. [...] Friedrich Wilhelm Dauphin’s remarkable career is a testament to visionary leadership, outstanding design and a lasting impact on modern workplaces all around the world.”

“This award for his life’s work underlines in impressive style the vision and entrepreneurial passion that Friedrich W. Dauphin has displayed in shaping the company. I consider it a great responsibility and also a real honour to continue this entrepreneurial vision in his spirit,” emphasises Elmar Duffner, CEO of the Dauphin Group.

The award ceremony took place during the American “NeoCon” furniture fair at Merchandise Mart, also known as The Mart, in Chicago. The building houses Chicago’s leading technology and innovation companies, along with more than 250 design showrooms for the home and office furniture markets. NeoCon is one of the most important trade shows for the design industry.

Dr. Jochen Ihring, Managing Director of the Dauphin HumanDesign Group, accepted the HiP Award on behalf of Mr Dauphin and stated: “In my more than 20 years at Dauphin, I’ve witnessed how Friedrich Wilhelm Dauphin has created a unique company with an extraordinary feel for people, markets and design. The HiP Award is a tremendous recognition of his life’s work as a designer and entrepreneur.”