Company  News From Around Europe

¡¾2002.11.27¡¿

Karelia to double parquet production

The Karelia Corporation of Finland has decided to double parquet production at the Kuopio unit to more than 2.5 million m2 per year. The investment, with the building extension and the equipment renewal, will cost EUR 12mil.. With the investment the company can add a new product to its range and the number of jobs will increase by 70 in addition to the existing 140 jobs.

Alno to cut jobs

In 2002, German kitchen producer Alno intends to cut 180 jobs at its headquarters in Pfullendorf where, at present, 1,180 staff are employed.

Nobia improving results

Swedish kitchen manufacturing group Nobia, reported a pre-tax result of US$ 46.97mn for the year's first nine months to the end of September.

Romanian Exports

Romania exports 80% of its furniture according to figures issued by APM, the furniture makers' association. The report shows that the high furniture exports are due mainly to the low purchasing power in the country. In 2002, the production of furniture rose by 8.4%, exports went up 16.4% and imports also increased by 8.8% on a yearly basis.

Mobis Chain

French home furnishings chain Mobis, currently has 18 stores and 20 affiliate stores under their own name. It is hoping to increase its current US$ 98.58mil annual turnover to US$ 147.87mil. by 2003 to 2005, and open seven or eight new stores a year. Since a number of its stores were taken over by Conforama ten years ago, Mobis has concentrated on mid sized towns and zones with little competition.

UK DFS sales up

At the end of this year, DFS, the UK-based furniture retailer, has recorded sales increases of 7.2% in comparison to 2% during the first half of the year. Profits rose to US$ 83.65mil up 15%. The increase in sales has been put down to low interest rates, consumer's ease of access to credit and the Jubilee bank holiday.

Roche Bobois furniture store

Roche Bobois, France's leading supplier of top-of-the-range furniture, is to establish a fourth chain of stores, Natuzzi Store. This venture is designed to be a 'lifestyle brand' with appeal to younger, more modern customers living in urban areas. It will involve collaboration with Cuir Center, which already has seven outlets in France and is in the process of establishing a further eight. The launch budget is EUR 5mn.


Source:ITTO