Sign language

BBC Two Scotland

Flatpack Empire

Documentaries

Factual

A behind-the-scenes look at IKEA, one of the world's most recognisable brands.

A behind-the-scenes look at IKEA, one of the world's most successful, enigmatic and recognisable global brands.

BBC Scotland

BBC Two Northern Ireland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

BBC Two England

England

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

A BBC TV channel for Scotland which will broadcast every evening and will show drama, factual, comedy and news programmes made in Scotland

Simulcast of BBC Two Northern Ireland in high definition

BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Wales in high definition

BBC Two Wales HD

BBC Scotland HD

Tom Barry

Tom Swingler

Liesel Evans

Rob Farquhar

Raw TV

Clara Thomas

Flatpack Empire: Series 1: Flatpack Empire

flatpack-empire_s01_e01_060218_pp1.jpg

Series 1

BBC Two - Flatpack Empire, Series 1, Flatpack Empire

In a new series our cameras travel the world to discover the secrets of IKEA's success.

IKEA is one of the world’s most successful and recognisable brands. In a major new 3-part series our cameras travel the world to discover the secrets to their global success.

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, we go 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’re opening up and massively expanding around the world. 

In this first episode, we see how IKEA are starting to open up their design headquarters to outside influences. Tom Dixon - the ‘enfant terrible’ of British design, has been invited to collaborate on a new bed-sofa – but with deadlines looming and the world’s furniture press watching, neither he nor IKEA fully agree what the product should be.
 
We follow the production of the famous catalogue, where Sara Blomquist is in charge of devising the ‘perfect’ front-cover image. Can she unite different voices in the company, and create an image that will be seen by millions of people around the world.
 
In the UK, we see how changing consumer habits and online shopping is making IKEA think about new technology such as augmented reality. Having been with the company since the Warrington store opened 30 years ago, Paul Fishwick is trialling the new tech with customers in store.
Finally, we follow a group of new managers from Sheffield, who are making the pilgrimage to Älmhult, the small Swedish town where the company started 70 years ago – to understand for themselves the unique culture and values that is at the heart of the organisation.

Flatpack Empire: Series 1

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

A behind-the-scenes look at IKEA, one of the world's most recognisable global brands.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Flatpack Empire

Series 1

Flatpack Empire

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Two Scotland

About BBC Two