Blum: Welcome boost in the
2013/2014 financial year Austrian fittings manufacturer records sales growth
H
öchst, Austria, 10 July 2014. Innovations in the product range, the good development
of important markets as well as regional and international investments have had a positive impact on the Blum Group's 2013/2014 financial year: The family company recorded turnover growth of 9.4% in comparison with the previous year. Blum can look back on a successful 2013/2014
financial year (1 July to 30 June): With innovative products, international market presence and committed employees, the family company with headquarters in Höchst (Austria) succeeded in increasing its turnover figures by 9.4% to 1,440 million euros. 49% of the turnover was generated on the EU area, 14% in the USA.
Positive development in a variety of market regions CEO Gerhard E. Blum considers that the positive development in various important market regions, such as the USA, the Asia-Pacific region and Eastern Europe for example, is one reason for the excellent 2013/2014 financial year. In Western Europe, important markets affected by the financial crisis are recovering again.
Employees as a foundation The building blocks for the success of the Blum Group have always been its employees. On average, the company has had 6,187 employees globally, which represents an increase of 439 persons in comparison with the previous year. 76 new apprentices will start their technical training with Blum Austria on 1 September 2014. In total, 279 apprentices will be receiving their training in the Blum Group from September, 14 of which in the USA.
Investments in the 2013/2014 financial year The Blum Group invested a total of 156 million euros. In Austria, the extension at plant 7 in Dornbirn was occupied in July and the administration at the Blum headquarters plant 2 in Höchst gained more space. Blum acquired a site in Dornbirn for a new plant. Blum plans to commence construction work this year for the extension of production and storage capacities at its plant 4 in Bregenz.
Investments at international sites: Additional production and logistics areas are added thanks to the extension in Poland. In Russia, Blum creates an extension of its storage and office facilities. Blum Mexico opened the new site with additional office and storage space in the previous financial year.
New products and services The company consistently maintained its strategic orientation in the 2013/2014 financial year with the development of new products and services. Legrabox, the new box system, enjoys increasing demand, for example, and is supplemented with the Tip-On-Blumotion function for handleless fronts. Servo-Drive flex is the new electrical Blum solution for integrated refrigerators/freezers and dishwashers
with no handles. The range of services with a focus on marketing and logistics is constantly being expanded. The company's appetite for innovation is also reflected in the 52 patents which were issued in the 2013/2014 financial year. Blum holds around 1200 trademark rights in total. The company holds second place in Austria in the invention rankings.
Herbert Blum withdraws from operative business After more than 35 years of commitment to the company, Herbert Blum completed his service as CEO of Julius Blum GmbH as of 1 July 2014 and resigned from this role. This step has been prepared for several years. Herbert Blum will remain active as CEO of Blum Verwaltung GmbH (owner of Julius Blum GmbH) and therefore will continue to be involved in all important strategic decisions. The strategic and operative management will continue to be the responsibility of the entire executive team of Julius Blum GmbH, of which Philipp Blum has been a member for some time. Martin Blum has been an official member of this body since 1 July 2014.
Figures, details and facts as at 30 June 2014 • Turnover worldwide: 1.440 billion euros (+ 9.4% compared to the previous year)
• Distribution of turnover: EU 49%, USA 14%, other markets 37%
• Employees worldwide (as of 30 June 2014): 6,357 employees (+ 453 compared to the previous year)
• Employees in Vorarlberg (as of 30 June 2014): 4,847 employees (+ 374 compared to the previous year)
• Apprentices (from September 2014): 279 (of which 14 with Blum USA);
• 79 new apprentices from 1 September 2014 with Blum in Vorarlberg
• Investments: 156 million euros (of which 143 million euros in Vorarlberg)
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Servo-Drive flex is the electrical opening support system for integrated refrigerators/freezers and dishwashers with no handles – with intelligent functions such as automatic self-closing or straightforward "Plug&Play” installation, for example
Blum CEO Herbert Blum (left) retired from the business operations of Julius Blum GmbH on 1 July 2014. Pictured here with CEO Gerhard E. Blum (right)
Legrabox, the new box system, is supplemented with the Tip-On-Blumotion function for handleless fronts
The extension of the logistics centre at plant 7 in Dornbirn includes an additional 3-storey production building, an additional automated high-bay warehouse and a new container loading area for rail transport
BKU AUGUST 2014 37
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