More Than Furniture:  How Crank Has Been Shaping Australia's Hospitality Spaces Since 2010More Than Furniture:  How Crank Has Been Shaping Australia's Hospitality Spaces Since 2010
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More Than Furniture: How Crank Has Been Shaping Australia's Hospitality Spaces Since 2010

Walk into some of Australia's most celebrated restaurants, bars, and hospitality venues and you'll likely be sitting on a Crank chair — you just won't know it. That's the magic of furniture that works: it disappears into the experience, letting the atmosphere, the food, and the conversation take centre stage.

A Sydney Story, Born from a Single Bet

Every great brand starts with a moment of courage. For Crank Furniture, that moment came in September 2010, when founder Hemang Savla — armed with a Masters in Luxury Brand Management from E.S.S.E.C in Paris and years spent immersed in fashion, furniture, and jewellery across Paris, New York, and Mumbai — stepped off a plane in Sydney and took a punt.

He exhibited a differentiated furniture range at a leading Sydney trade fair. Like most new businesses, the early days were defined by patience, persistence, and more than a few sleepless nights.

"Like any new business, it takes a bit of luck, many sleepless nights, lots of hard work, and months and months of patience to get that first required break."

That break arrived in late 2011 — and it was a big one. The promoters behind a bold new café concept in the warehouse district of Alexandria, Sydney, entrusted Crank to create an entire range of bespoke industrial pieces: coffee counters, cast iron dining tables, industrial-style seating, outdoor garden furniture, display trolleys, and carts. That ground-breaking venture became The Grounds of Alexandria — now an iconic Sydney destination. And with it, Crank's reputation was forged.

The Crank Philosophy: Non-Linear. Sustainable. Handmade.

Crank describes its own design approach as "Non-Linear" — and that's not just a tagline. It reflects a genuine refusal to follow predictable furniture trends. The range blends Modern, Retro, and Mid-Century Classic sensibilities with Industrial DNA, resulting in pieces that feel both timeless and sharply contemporary.

Central to the Crank identity is a deep commitment to sustainable, recycled, and environmentally friendly raw materials, produced using age-old hand-made manufacturing techniques. In a market awash with mass-produced, disposable furniture, this is a meaningful distinction — and it shows in the longevity of each piece.

What makes a Crank piece different?

  1. Layered design DNA : Modern, Retro, and Mid-Century influences woven together — not cherry-picked.
  2. Handmade techniques : Age-old production methods that deliver tactile quality no factory line can replicate.
  3. Sustainable materials : A focus on recycled and eco-friendly inputs — because great furniture shouldn't cost the planet.
  4. Bespoke by default : Custom-made solutions for venues that refuse to settle for off-the-shelf.

A Range Built for Hospitality

Crank's product range is purpose-built for the demands of commercial and hospitality environments — spaces that need furniture to be beautiful on day one and resilient through years of daily use. The full offering spans:

  • Chairs — Dining chairs and lounge seating across styles
  • Stools — Bar and counter stools including the popular Infamous Barstool collection
  • Tables — Complete tables, table tops, and table bases
  • Outdoor — Palermo, Athena, Mediterranean, Ionian, and Teak outdoor collections
  • Rattan — Natural-texture rattan pieces including the Rose Dining Table
  • Custom Made — Fully bespoke commissions for unique venue briefs

For designers and operators who need to see the full range before committing, Crank provides a comprehensive library of downloadable e-catalogues — from the Sunrise Edition to the Leather Collection and the Earth, Water & Fire catalogue — making specification straightforward from the very first briefing.

Giving Back: The Bhola Foundation

Crank's story isn't only about beautiful spaces. The company is also a proud product sponsor and supporter of the Bhola Foundation — a reflection of the belief that businesses have a role to play beyond commerce. It's a dimension of the brand that rarely makes it into specification documents, but matters enormously to the people behind it.

Working with Crank: What to Expect

Crank offers guidance across colours and finishes, product care, custom made options, and shipping and delivery — including international shipping for projects beyond Australian shores. For large commercial orders, contract furniture specifications and trading terms are clearly outlined, making procurement straightforward.

For those ready to move quickly, the in-stock online shop at shop.crankfurniture.com.au makes it easy to place orders on available inventory — with none of the usual lead time uncertainty.

READY TO DEFINE YOUR SPACE?

Explore the full range, browse completed projects, or get in touch with the Crank team to discuss your next venue brief.