Element4: A successful transition from idea to A-sample

Element4

Element4 started out in 2006 importing high end decorative fireplaces for the Dutch and Western European markets. As the company grew more successful, it took on more and more itself, from assembly to developing new fireplaces. Over time, the company kept expanding, and today it supplies decorative fireplaces worldwide, with a focus on Europe and North America.

Element4 is constantly developing new fireplaces, both internally with its own R&D team and together with suppliers. In recent years especially, Element4 has made major strides in its own development, sourcing more components while also taking on more development work itself.

Element4’s focus lies in pioneering independently and staying ahead of the market. This led to a collaboration with Marcel Wanders, a well known industrial designer, resulting in a fireplace that shows what’s possible with gas fireplaces. It came from a different way of thinking than the standard wood log design.

How the collaboration began

The idea for the project originated internally at Element4, driven by the ambition to stay ahead of the market. Internally, however, the necessary expertise wasn’t there, and existing suppliers weren’t able to provide it either. So Element4 went looking for a partner who could help bring their innovation to life.

Element4 brought the idea to Beeliners: what they wanted and what they had in mind. At that point, it wasn’t yet clear whether a technological solution for the idea was even possible. Element4 also didn’t know what would be needed to make the idea a reality. As the project progressed, Beeliners worked it out further, and a clearer picture gradually emerged of what was needed to bring the innovation to life.

The collaboration in practice

Jasper Schoot Uiterkamp, operations manager at Element4, describes the first contact with Beeliners as immediately pleasant and down to earth. He felt mutual trust right away: whatever was said actually got done. Communication was open, pleasant, and attuned to what Element4 needed.

The team worked in two week sprints, which Element4 experienced as a great way of working. The goal was clear for everyone involved from the start, but the details still needed to be worked out. Thanks to the regular sprint reviews, these details could be discussed and filled in naturally along the way. As a result, many choices that shaped the entire project were already made during the A-sample phase.

Element4 found the enthusiasm of Beeliners’ Henk Kalk hugely motivating. They described him as a true inventor: whenever something didn’t work, you immediately got the sense that he’d make sure it eventually would. He communicated openly and never beat around the bush, always explaining honestly why certain choices could or couldn’t be made within the project.

The result

Element4 now knows that the idea they had is technically feasible. The A-sample is complete. Element4 wants to move forward with this and progress into the actual B-sample phase.

Element4’s objective has been met for around 80%. For the remaining 20%, it still needs to be determined whether everything is achievable across the full scope.

The ultimate goal is to bring the project to market without depending on suppliers. Element4 would certainly turn to Beeliners again for a future R&D project, thanks in part to the smooth project process and short lines of communication.