ClarissaKork – where everything revolves around cork and digitalized craftsmanship

When Clarissa Steurer brought her first cork placemats to market in 2018, it was more a labor of love than a carefully planned business venture. A TV report about vegan leather sparked the trained clothing technologist’s curiosity about cork – and laid the foundation for a success story. No one had expected the demand would go through the roof so quickly.
Soon the team was on their hands and knees, on the floor, cutting by hand with knife cutters, literally till their knees were raw.

The end-of-year rush with personalized gifts became an endurance test. Almost half of the company’s annual turnover was made in these three months. Without automation, it would not have been possible to continue meeting the increases in demand. ClarissaKork currently employs 25 people, 13 of whom work in production.

The Zünd Cutter finally brought structure to their production workflow. For Steurer, the G3 L-3200 was more than just a new tool – it set the rhythm and pace for the company. Today the digital flatbed cutter runs four days a week for 10 hours at a time. With short setup times, high material efficiency, and easy operation even newcomers to the team can master quickly, the cutter has become central to the company's production.

And yet, despite digitalization, ClarissaKork has remained true to its artisanal roots. Craftsmanship is part of the company's identity. The challenge was to automate processes without losing that craftsmanship. The same applied to the ERP system. From the ordering process in the online store to the finished cut file, everything is digitally synchronized – without shifting the focus away from the human at the center.

Clarissa Steurer was already familiar with the Zünd brand. After a brief but in-depth discussion with the Zünd team, the decision was made: “I’d never seen the machine, but I said: if you deliver it in November, I’ll buy it.” And that’s how it happened. The cutter was delivered, assembled – and has been running like clockwork ever since.
“Zünd was simply there when we needed them,” explains Clarissa. “No empty promises, no waiting on hold. Rather, a partner who believed in us even though we were still small.” This closeness is important to her. And not just because problems can be solved quickly. It’s because the values are a good fit: quality, sustainability, and a clear commitment to location.

“Zünd is extremely customer-oriented. They make the best cutters, 
but for me it’s about more than that. For me, Zünd is a partner we can trust. 
We can rely on Zünd at all times, even when things get tight.”

For Clarissa Steurer, cork is more than just a raw material. It’s a statement. Warm, soft, velvety to the touch yet robust, easy to care for, and antibacterial. “I love cork because it’s so versatile,” she says. “It feels good, looks good, and is sustainable through and through.” Cork is obtained from the bark of the cork oak. It can be harvested every nine years – a renewable resource in the best sense of the word. The basis of all ClarissaKork products is what is known as cork leather. To make it, thin layers of cork are carefully flattened and pressed onto a textile backing – usually cotton or recycled polyester. The result is a durable, vegan material that looks and feels like leather.
Environmental responsibility plays just as important a role as aesthetic appeal. Compared to plastic or synthetic materials, ClarissaKork deliberately uses cork as an environmentally friendly alternative. Not for marketing purposes, but out of conviction.

“I wanted to show that beautiful, high-quality products can also 
be made locally – without mass production in the Far East.”

Digital cutting enabled ClarissaKork to significantly expand its product range. Today, it comprises more than 150 items in various colors – from placemats and rugs to furniture fronts. This level of scale was made possible only by digitalizing the cutting process.

ClarissaKork shows how a small company can become a firm fixture in the world of design through smart digitalization, the right technology partner, and a great deal of passion. The Zünd cutter is not just a tool; it’s the key to business growth, greater efficiency, and more creative freedom.

For Zünd, the partnership with its customers goes far beyond technology. It is the combination of expert consulting, technological expertise, and openness that makes all the difference. Digitalization does not have to be impersonal.