NEWS | Round-up Warendorf in administration again


GERMAN KITCHEN furniture manufacturer Warendorf has filed for insolvency for the second time in three years.


The brand was saved in July 2019 by Chinese investors after it fell into administration in March that year. Those investors now say they are ‘no longer able to support Warendorf financially.’ In a statement statement issued by and


Warendorf the administrators,


China’s zero-Covid policy and its subsequent adverse effects on the local construction industry are cited as having impacted Warendorf’s project business. As a result, there have been liquidity bottlenecks and loss of sales recently, with a significant order planned for November and December being postponed indefinitely to 2023. The Chinese investors that saved the company three-and-a-half years ago were also the distributor of


customers and business partners. Daniel Griehl, managing director of


Warendorf Küchenfabrik, said: “The situation came as a surprise to me, as well as to the entire team – all the more so since we are currently on such a promising, positive path. “We were able to increase sales by around 20% in the current year compared to 2021, we have won ambitious new customers and developed a clear differentiation strategy. Warendorf can become one of


the


Warendorf in China and were ‘facing major challenges in its home market’. Warendorf achieved sales of around €8 million in 2021. Approximately 100 employees at


Warendorf have been informed, and their salaries have been secured by


insolvency funds for three months. Stefan Meyer from Pluta Rechts- anwalts was appointed as the provisional insolvency administrator on November 30, 2022. Meyer, his team and the Warendorf management team will hold talks with


most successful premium


brands, and I really hope that we will find a solution to this situation.” Pluta renovation expert Meyer says: “Business operations will be continued. We will now analyse all existing orders as quickly as possible and, after taking stock of the situation, we will contact the customer to inform them about the further progress.”


German manufacturer Störmer restructures for future growth


STÖRMER AG has restructured its business, and NIU TECH GmbH has taken a majority stake. The change is part of its long-term development strategy, and Störmer says it is the foundation for future growth. Bodie Kelay of Euromobel said that Störmer is still committed to growth for its retailer base: “We are delighted to hear the latest company announcement from Störmer AG, underlining its continued commitment to business growth and development of exciting new market opportunities. We look forward to sharing with our UK retailer network the latest innovations as they unfold in 2023.” As part of a group structure of the kitchen manufacturer, NIU Tech GmbH will expand Störmer’s value chain “from the real estate sector and enhance residential spaces with fully furnished concepts in the future”.


Haier partners with Waterline to increase kitchen channel sales


CHINESE APPLIANCE giant Haier has partnered with distributor Waterline as part of its plan to accelerate its growth in the kitchen specialist channel. The deal will see Waterline, which is part of the Crown Imperial Group, distribute Haier’s Series 6 range of built-in appliances. These incorporate Haier’s premium technology in a range of ovens, hobs, hoods, refrigerators and dishwashers. All feature smart connectivity using Haier’s hOn app. The partnership will see Waterline holding stock in three locations, backed by a national distribution service that covers 99% of postcodes in England, Scotland and Wales. Haier Europe’s head of kitchen trade Dan Halfpenney said: “After a very successful launch of Haier at the kbb show earlier this year, this partnership with Waterline will help us accelerate our planned growth within the kitchen


4


specialist market. “Haier’s premium Series 6 built-in range has been designed specifically for the new kitchen market. Haier has had really strong stock levels over the past 18 months and this, combined with the further innovation and new products coming through in the next couple of years, I genuinely believe will make customers rethink the appliances they plan into their new kitchens.” At Waterline, sales director Rob


Taylor said: “With our wealth of experience and knowledge of this market, and ability to stock in depth, along with our dedication to providing speed of service, the brands complement each other. “We are thrilled to be working with such an innovative global brand. It’s crucial for our retailers to have the competitive edge and we are pleased to be able to deliver the latest in connected appliance technology.”


· January 2023


Managing director of Störmer AG Christoph Fughe and his team over the past 18 months have been developing the ‘architect’ concept to offer clients a new innovative digital marketing design platform to transform the furniture specification process. This new brand, INTI, will integrate digitalisation into all value chain processes. In the coming weeks and months, INTI will be further structured, and additional group acquisitions will be planned. Christoph Fughe moved to the supervisory board of Störmer AG in March


2022, and he will remain a shareholder but will now focus on the holding company INTI SE, based in Berlin, with a sole focus on sales operations at Störmer AG. Together with Thorben Wiedemann, joint CEO at INTI SE, Fughe will focus on the realisation and development of the operations of the new digital concept, as well as the marketing and sales of the group companies within INTI. Stefan Hofemeier continues to be responsible for the operations at Störmer AG in Rödinghausen with his team.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72