NEWS | Round-up
Blum reports ‘surprise’ steep decline in sales
AUSTRIAN KITCHEN fittings giant Blum has revealed a steep decline in sales over the past financial year and although it was expecting it, it said the speed of the downturn took it by surprise. Speaking at its annual press conference, joint MDs Philipp and Martin
Blum announced that the
company closed the 2022/23 financial year with a turnover of €2.32 billion (£1.98bn), down by 12% or €317 million on the previous year. The decline was attributed to the generally unsettled nature of the European market. It blamed a
combination of consumer uncertainty caused by the cost-of-living crisis, a lack of consumer demand driven by the previous high levels of sales, the increased cost of raw materials and the freeze on supply to Russia. Blum reported that outside of Europe sales figures were more optimistic. Sales development within the Asia-Pacific region was reportedly stable, and sales increased in the United States. Blum said the US was its largest single market, representing 15% of total sales worldwide. Commenting on the figures: Philipp Blum said: “After enjoying a strong
tailwind for more than two years, with increases in turnover and demand, we are now facing a sharp headwind. After two years of disproportionate growth, the decline in sales is an understandable development. A downturn was to be expected, but the speed was surprising for us. Even if we have to adapt to this challenging situation, we are sticking to our basic strategy.” Elaborating on its plan for going forwards, Philipp Blum said that he expected difficult market conditions to continue for the foreseeable future. “We still need more staying power until consumer confidence and the markets stabilise again. The long-term orientation as well as committed and flexible employees are our strong basis for being a reliable partner for our customers every day. We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to our global team.”
Fisher & Paykel appoints former Miele director as new COO
NEW ZEALAND-BASED appliance manu- facturer Fisher & Paykel has announced that it has appointed Stephen Rickersey to serve as its new chief operating officer.
Hansgrohe strengthens supply chains with new factory in Serbia
THE HANSGROHE Group continues to focus on growth with the opening of a new faucets factory
in Serbia, which it believes will
strengthen its European manufacturing network and help secure supply chains. The new plant in Valjevo, Serbia, was built over the past year at a cost of €85 million (£73m). It will manufacture bathroom and kitchen fittings and is part of Hansgrohe Group’s ongoing strategy for growth.
The opening ceremony was attended by Hans Jürgen Kalmbach, CEO of Hansgrohe SE, the Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Serbia, Anke Konrad.
Commenting on the opening, chairman of the executive board of Hansgrohe SE Hans Jürgen Kalmbach said: “With
this investment, we are
strengthening our manufacturing network in Europe. The factory is part of our global manufacturing strategy to keep supply chains and transport routes short and safe.”
Hansgrohe relies on a high level of in-house manufacturing expertise for its products and Kalmbach
added: “With our employees at all
locations, we fulfil our high-quality promise and thus ensure the satisfaction of our customers. The factory in Serbia further strengthens our valve competency. Now we have additional capacity, especially for the
4
European market, to be close to our customers.” The Valjevo factory is located on a 130,000sq metre site 100km south-west of the capital Belgrade and is said to be the most sustainable factory in the Hansgrohe Group, with a photovoltaic system on the roof, a combined heat and power plant to generate electricity, greywater toilets and triple- glazed windows.
Hansgrohe chief production officer Frank Semling added: “We have looked at locations around the world. Valjevo offers us the best overall package. This includes both the availability of skilled workers and suppliers. In addition, Serbia has an association agreement with the European Union, which means that internationally high standards apply to investments such as ours. At the same time, the infrastructure is convincing. From the new location, we can serve the increasing demand for our products in Europe better and faster.”
The new Serbian plant will mainly concentrate on Hansgrohe-branded products,
while the recently
modernised Schiltach plant will focus on Axor products. Faucets are also produced in its factory in Shanghai, and there are other factories in Willstätt, Offenburg (plastics) and Bad Bentheim in Germany, Wasselonne in France and Atlanta in the USA. In addition to the new factory in Valjevo, Hansgrohe Group has also invested €30m in a new plastics electroplating facility in Offenburg.
• August 2023
Rickersey has had a long career within the consumer goods industry prior to his new appointment. Most recently, he worked for almost four years as sales director at Miele, and before that, worked as head of sales at Whirlpool. As chief operating officer, he will be responsible for guiding the appliance brand’s direction within the UK, Ireland and Europe going forwards, such as the opening of its first UK showroom later on this year. Rickersey said: “I am joining Fisher & Paykel at a
hugely transformative time for the company. The business is on the cusp of many great things in multiple channels, and I am thrilled to be leading a team with values of trust, curiosity, generosity, sustainability and innovation at its core. “These values are what drew me to the brand, as as
well its rich New Zealand heritage that is
synonymous with a deep connection to food and wine care in the appliance design world.” Rickersey’s appointment follows last year’s news that Fisher & Paykel’s managing director, David Woolcott, would be stepping down after five years leading the company.
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