Although it is inferior to Hettich in terms of overall R&D capabilities, Blum focuses on cabinet hardware and is better at controlling details. Since the production of hidden hinges in the 60s, Blum has caught up with Hettich's revenue, and as of June 30, 2019, its annual sales reached 1.887 billion euros, leaving Häfele behind, one of the world's furniture and building hardware giants.
Blum has plants in Austria, the USA, Brazil and Poland, and the hinges are handled by the Austrian plant. It has more than 2,100 registered patents worldwide, and the hinge test will go through 200,000 unloaded opening and closing, and carry out a number of tests such as load, corrosion resistance, weather resistance, material fatigue, etc., and the experimental data is comparable to Hettich.
Blum's hinge classification method is the same as Hettich's, with three main series: the CLIP top BLUMOTION integrated damping series, the CLIP top quick release series and the basic MODUL cartridge hinge, and the sales volume is also dominated by the damping hinge.
Launched in 2009, the quick-release integrated damping hinge, like the Hettich damping hinge, is a two-stage force hinge consisting of a total of 58 parts and produced with an accuracy of 1/100 mm. It has long been out of the current stereotyped hinge structure, the patented BLUMOTION damper is not a conventional hydraulic cylinder, but is made of precision parts integrated in the hinge cup, the damping effect can be optionally closed, in addition to the conventional design awards such as iF and German Design, it has also won the Industrial Invention Award issued by the European Patent Office, highlighting the superiority of BLUMOTION damping design.
The quick-release integrated damping hinge is made of nickel-plated high-strength carbon steel, and the regular 110° model weighs about 115g, which is strong enough. However, the function of the e-commerce version has been castrated, and you can buy the full version of the application of the INSERTA press into the expansion function by ordering through the official website or phone, no tools are required when installing the hinge cup, and the expansion bolt on the hinge cup and screws will automatically expand, clamp the holes, and the operation is very friendly to DIY users.
As a brand that provides hardware accessories solutions for medium and large furniture companies, Blum's hinge series covers special applications such as aluminium-framed doors, corner cabinets from -45° to 45°, door opening angles from 95° to 170°, CAD data solutions, and onyx black plating options since 2016.
In terms of price, Blum hinges are the most expensive hinges on the market, and the e-commerce version of the damping hinge also starts at 36 yuan, which is 10 yuan higher than Hettich.
