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Flatpack Empire

Series 1

Episode 2

Duration: 59 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: on BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Ikea is not like any other company - the Swedish furniture retailer is driven by a powerful philosophy, to 'create a better everyday life for the many people', and with 900 million customers a year, this series goes behind the scenes to find the secret to its global success. With unprecedented access to Ikea's design studios, factories, test labs and stores over the course of a year, we get to know the people who work for the famous company, and explore how they are opening up and massively expanding around the world.

In episode two, we see what it takes to get new products from initial design to stores around the world. One of Ikea's newest designers, Hanna-Kaarina Heikkila, wants to challenge mass production by creating an 'imperfect vase' that has the fingermarks of the creator - she travels to China to see if her idea is possible.

We visit the home of the Billy bookcase to see what it takes to be a supplier for Ikea, as they try to pitch for a new range of wardrobes. Will they pass the stringent tests that the company demands? And we see what it takes to open a new store in Sheffield, recruiting hundreds of new co-workers who need to display the unique culture and values of the company. But with delays to construction, will the store open on time? Show less

Contributors

Executive Producer:
Tom Barry
Series Producer:
Tom Swingler
Executive Producer:
Liesel Evans
Director:
Rob Farquhar
Production Company:
Raw TV
Production Manager:
Clara Thomas

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