They came, they saw, they tried out the 2026 collection – at a vibrant launch event curated to mark Krost’s arrival in a new state.

We’ve all heard that old chestnut about successful families – the ‘shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves‘ theory. You know, the one about the first generation making the money, before 70 percent of well-off families lose that wealth by the second generation, and 90 percent by the third?

But there are definitely exceptions to the rule. And those exceptions usually have something to do with families who establish businesses and then grow those companies carefully, making sound business decisions as successive generations become involved.

And those successive generations comprise people who are proud to wear the company name and proud to take over the legacy of a successful company built on quality products, exemplary customer service, fair pricing and a company ethos that values getting every detail right.

The Krost family is a wonderful example of this in action. Its eponymous company was founded in South Africa by three brothers back in the 1920s. Originally a manufacturer and supplier of steel products, Krost has had a long and storied history. It moved into the office furniture space after World War II and eventually relocated to Australia in the late 1980s.

Since then, that story has been one of steady and sensible expansion. Four generations in and the Krost name has grown from one Sydney outpost to well-established showrooms and warehouses in both Victoria and NSW, plus a manufacturing facility in the latter. This means it offers a full turnkey commercial furniture service, manufacturing and supplying Australian-made workstations, seating, desktops, laminate storage and joinery.

Four generations bucking the shirtsleeves adage

In 2026, after more careful and considered planning, and a long and exhaustive search for exactly the right spot, Krost has now made its latest move. Opening a new showroom in Brisbane in a former glass leadlight factory near the Gabba, Krost has further cemented its reputation as a truly national manufacturer and supplier. And also as a company that supports and gives back to the industry in which it operates. Its commitment to continual improvement in its management systems and environmental management controls, it is now an ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 certified company.

Krost has often proudly declared its lead times to be the shortest in the industry, but now with a comprehensive and beautifully designed showroom in East Brisbane, delivery times for customers in the top half of the country will be even more impressive.

Launching with a bang

The new Brisbane showroom was launched last week in style, with clients and other invited guests joining the entire Krost sales team (flown in from the other states for the occasion) to celebrate the opening and explore the new space. It comprises two floors and a mezzanine, with myriad corners, nooks and crannies all cleverly designed to show off the products to their best advantage.

The assembled guests enjoyed a drinks selection of wines, craft beers and more from a specially converted Kombi van, and a range of tasty Korean American fusion hors d’oeuvres from a food truck organised for the event, while listening to the musical stylings of DJ Aaron.

The company’s design manager Carly Krost kicked off the evening welcoming the crowd and explaining a little of her design concept for the showroom. (Krost is an interior architect who ran her own practice, CKD Studio, for six years before joining the family firm full-time in 2018.)

New year, new collection

With the 2026 catalogue on hand to remind Brisbane’s interior designers and other specifiers that Krost brings out a new collection annually, the evening also gave the crowd the opportunity to see those new designs, materials and products in situ – to try out the chairs, sit/stand desks, storage options and other office furniture in person.

With brand new products this year including the Parker, Anders, Ace and Eller, in 2026 the only way is up for Krost.

Up north that is.

Indeed, with the addition of the East Brisbane showroom to the Krost portfolio, maybe the family’s story is one of ‘shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves’ after all – but only because in Brisbane it’s too hot to wear a jacket…

Krost’s new Brisbane showroom is open now – 936 Stanley St E, East Brisbane Queensland.

Photos: Cinnamon Smith, except where specified.