After an exceptional career spanning no less than 27 years, we at Extremis say goodbye to one of our most recognizable collections: Extempore. Under the banner “Ex Extempore,” we pay tribute to this groundbreaking collection by designer Arnold Merckx, who, along with us from the very beginning, formed the foundation on which Extremis was built.
Poperinge, Belgium
Goodbye Extempore
Farewell to an iconic collection
On a beautiful summer evening we invited designer Arnold Merckx and his family to our showroom for a moment of farewell... Without sadness however, because it was above all gratitude that prevailed: gratitude for Arnold's fantastic design - and gratitude for what the design has contributed to the growth and development of Extremis as a company. Dirk Wynants, founder of Extremis, took the floor to share the whole story of this extensive collection. The fantastic memories were illustrated with images of the discussions around the first prototypes, and references from all over the world. As a lasting memento, Dirk then presented a compilation booklet of these photos to the designer. With warm applause and a toast, Arnold Merckx was celebrated, and Extempore was waved goodbye. After nearly 30 years, Extempore is truly considered an iconic range. At launch, the design was groundbreaking: it introduced stylish design with sustainable materials to the garden. A brief history:
From one product to an entire outdoor story
In 1994, we started with a single piece of furniture: Gargantua. A table with adjustable benches in galvanized steel and wood - that's all the budget allowed at the time. But what it lacked in quantity, it more than made up for in multifunctionality. Extempore followed four years later, and with it everything changed. Suddenly we had a collection that offered everything an outdoor space could need: high and low tables, benches of all shapes, chairs, low chairs, chaise longues, sun beds and even a barbecue. In one fell swoop we became a real brand - and entered the international design map.
Already ahead of its time
Extempore was launched in 1998, a time when designer outdoor furniture hardly existed. The market was dominated by plastic or classic teak furniture. With Extempore, we introduced something completely new: FSC-labeled jatoba wood combined with high-quality aluminum. That choice of materials was radically progressive then - and was surprisingly often copied in the years that followed.
“Extempore - a musical term for ‘outside time’ - remained by far the most architectural and timeless design among all similar products that later appeared on the market.”
- Dirk Wynants, founder and designer at Extremis
A smart system with a sustainable vision
Not only were the look and feel of Extempore innovative, but the system behind the collection was also unseen thought out. Each item could be offered in different sizes, and that with a limited number of components. That clever system made it possible - despite limited resources - to create a surprisingly extensive offering. We worked with limited stock, ensured short delivery times in the summer and kept the transport volume remarkably compact. Not to mention the sustainability: FSC wood, repairable and recyclable parts, and long-term partnerships with Belgian suppliers. No wonder Extempore remained in production for almost three decades.
So we bid farewell to Extempore. Not because the design has lost its strength - on the contrary - but because with production in Belgium it became increasingly difficult to remain competitive in a market full of variants that are just too close to the original. Like Marc, who assembled Extempore for many years and recently retired, we are also sending this collection into well-deserved retirement. Out of respect. For the design. For the people behind it. And for the enormous significance Extempore has had for our brand.
