NEWS | Round-up
Roca Group saves German bathroom supplier Alape from insolvency
ROCA GROUP has acquired premium German bathroom manufacturer Alape, rescuing it from preliminary insolvency proceed ings.
Effective from October 16, Roca Group is now the new parent company of Alape GmbH. Alape is a well-established premium brand, which specialises in the production of bathroom products in enamelled steel. Before the acquisition, Alape was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dornbracht AG & Co. KG. Alape originally submitted an application for insolvency proceedings on July 4. According to a report in the German press, “economic slowdown as a result of global political unrest, as well as the increased uncertainty in the energy market” were both major challenges
that led to it filing
for insolvency. Roca Group’s acquisition has saved the jobs of more than 90 Alape employees and means that Alape can continue to trade. It will continue to operate as an independent brand with
Web-savvy consumers still want to visit retailers before buying
WHILE SIX-IN-10 consumers research their home improvement projects online, even more say they want to see products in person before they buy.
Unhooked Communications’ Home Unhooked survey of more than 2,000 adults across the UK reveals that while 60% of consumers want to research products online, 64% say they want to
see products in person before buying, highlighting the importance of bricks- and-mortar retail showrooms. A new kitchen or bathroom was among the top six of the 20 home improvement projects that survey respondents were planning to undertake in the next 12 months. The report
figures show how important it
points out that these is for
retailers to develop both their online and off-line shopper experiences if they are to capitalise on quality- conscious consumers.
Emphasising the importance of expert advice, the report also showed that 37% of those surveyed said they would like
to speak to a specialist
architect, designer, retailer or merchant, before proceeding with their final purchase.
More than half (51%) of survey respondents also said that they would prefer to support local businesses when buying products or materials for the home.
The report concludes that con -
sumers still value the opportunity to physically interact with products and engage with experts. This, it says, presents a huge opportunity for businesses that can provide in-store experiences with knowledgeable staff. It adds that in a predominantly digital world, this can be a powerful way for retailers to stand out from competitors.
4 its own business strategy.
A new management team will take control of Alape at its headquarters in Goslar. This will consist of Michael Gatzke (centre in picture), who will be Alape’s new commercial director, Andrea Jürgens (left), in the role of marketing and design director, and Dr Julia Rami (right), who will be stepping into the role of production director. As well as the headquarters in
Goslar, Alape will also retain its production factory in Hahndorf. Michael Gatzke, Alape’s new commercial director, said: “The integration into the Roca Group is an outstanding opportunity for Alape to expand its sales structures in the long term. It is a decisive step, with which we aim to offer our premium products to more markets.” The company’s marketing and design director Andrea Jürgens added: “We will reinforce the brand’s premium market position and develop it carefully to best respond to the needs of our customers. We will remain committed to our high quality standards and will be the perfect addition to the Roca Group’s portfolio of brands.”
Roca Group has been steadily building its global portfolio for the past several years. In 2021, it acquired German cistern manufacturer Sanit, and also gained a 75% stake in Valencia-based Royo Group.
Masco profits jump despite decreased sales
US-BASED HOME improvement giant Masco Corporation has reported a significant boost to profits, despite sales figures being down.
In its Q3 financial statement, Masco – parent company of brands such as Hansgrohe, Bristan and Heritage – reported a net income of $249 million (£206m), which is an increase of around 13% over 2022’s Q3 result. Operating profit was also up from $351m in Q3 2022 to $383m for the same period in 2023. However, the company’s net sales figures were down by 11%. This year’s third quarter net sales amounted to $1.9m by comparison with $2.2m in September 2022.
A similar financial trend for increased profits but decreased sales was also reported by BSH UK in
its 2022
financial accounts released in October. The appliance giant primarily attributed its economic success to an increase in its product prices.
Masco CEO Keith Allman said: “Our continued ability to successfully execute in a challenging demand environment, along with our continued focus on driving productivity improve - ments led to strong margin performance and earnings per share growth in the third quarter.” He added: “While the near-term demand environment for repair and remodel products remains uncertain, we are executing well and demonstrating the earnings power of our business model.”
Looking ahead to Masco’s economic future, Allman said: “We remain committed to investing in our brands and capabilities to drive strong growth when market conditions improve, and are well-positioned to create long-term shareholder value.” Earlier this year, Masco’s Hansgrohe brand announced its expansion into several new product categories, with the launch of a collection of sanitaryware, furniture and mirrors, in a bid to offer
its customers a holistic bathroom solution. • December 2023
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