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Merloni
Continues to Shine in 1st Quarter 2003, with Sales up 42% and Operating
margin up 43%
Another
positive quarter for Merloni Elettrodomestici, which posted increases
in sales and operating margin of 42% and 45%, respectively, compared to
the 1st quarter of 2002. The accounts for the 1st quarter of 2003 were
reviewed by the board of directors meeting in Fabriano yesterday. The
results include figures for GDA (Hotpoint brand), the leading UK company
acquired last year and 100% consolidated for the first time in this quarter.
'In this quarter too, which was far from easy' - commented Vittorio Merloni,
- 'we managed to record the strongest growth in our sector. These results
are also down to the success of the GDA acquisition, which has proved
to be a strategically valid decision for the Group'.
The board of directors also approved the merger project of Philco Italia
and Star, already under a 100% control of Merloni Elettrodomestici. The
merger will be submitted to the extraordinary meeting of the shareholders
of the companies involved in the project.
Main results for 1st quarter 2003
Sales amounted to Euro 703m, up 42% on the 1st quarter of 2002 (Euro 495m).
Of this 42% increase, 7% is attributable to internal growth and the remaining
35% to consolidation of GDA revenues.
Gross operating margin stands at Euro 78m, up 51% on the 1st quarter of
2002 (Euro 52m). As a percentage of sales this is 11%, against 10.4% in
the 1st quarter of 2002. The variation is due mainly to continuing improvements
in organisation processes, economies of scale and reduction of the average
costs of industrial procurement.
Operating margin, at Euro 42m, is up 45% on the same period in 2002 (Euro
29m). Operating margin over sales moves up to 6%, against the 5.9% posted
in the 1st quarter of 2002.
Profits before tax stand at Euro 36m, up 41.7% on the 1st quarter of 2002
(Euro 26m).
Net financial indebtedness at the end of the quarter was Euro 292m (Euro
315m for the 1st quarter of 2002). The debt/equity ratio moved from 0.82
at the end of 2002 to 0.66 as of 31st March 2003.
New products
The coming months will see the launch of a completely renewed Ariston
brand throughout Europe. New Ariston products will give European homes
real benefits capable of improving the quality of people's time - silent
washing machines, vacuum fridges that increase food duration fourfold,
dishwashers and washing machines with the time of washing cycles reduced
by 30%.
Quality
Marble and Pallam Precast Merge, and Launch Polished Concrete
The
recent amalgamation of Pallam Precast and Quality Marble, and the subsequent
change of location to Enfield, has given customers the benefit of a vastly
increased range of products, materials and services provided by the leading
UK specialists in marble, granite, limestone, quartz and slate.
While traditional Terrazzo will remain the main focus of the company,
it became apparent that architects and designers were looking at innovative
ways of combining traditional skills and craftsmanship with new materials.
To this end, the company has introduced Polished Concrete to its range
of products.
Polished Concrete is as versatile as Terrazzo and is available in a variety
of different finishes. It is suitable for kitchen worktops, vanity tops
and basins, bar tops, floors, walls, seating and furniture. The overall
aesthetic can be further enhanced in combination with other materials
such as glass, metal, natural stone and timber.
Polished Concrete is now available for viewing at the Natural Stone Design
Centre, which is adjacent to the factory in Enfield, and is open to the
trade during normal office hours, with evenings and wekends also available
by appointment. Alternatively, a sample pack can be personally delivered
to your address.
Contact: Deane Thomas at Quality Marble
Tel 020 8805 6600
Email: mailto:deane@qualitymarble.co.uk
Web: http://www.qualitymarble.co.uk
Sustainable,
Efficient and Effective - the Ifö Cera ES4: Water-efficient siphon
flush WC gets WRAS approval
Specifiers
can now select water-efficient WCs with confidence, thanks to the Ifö
Cera ES4 (4.5 litre) WC, available from Green Building Store. Developed
by UK water conservation specialists Elemental Solutions, in association
with Ifö Sanitar AB and Thomas Dudley Ltd, the Ifö Cera ES4
has just received official approval from the Water Regulations Advisory
Scheme (WRAS). This means that it is one of the very few WCs on the UK
market to have received independent WRAS verification as to its compliance
with the Government‚s stringent new Regulations.
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, which came into force
for WCs in January 2001, set out a new maximum flush volume for WCs of
6 litres, as well as citing a number of tests to prove flushing efficacy
and performance. Ergonomic design and precision engineering means that
the Ifö Cera ES4 works very effectively even with an ultra-low flush
volume. It sailed through the WRAS performance tests with flying colours
and, with its exceptionally low flush volume of 4.5 litres, has far surpassed
the Regulations‚ own requirements.
The Ifö Cera ES4 is the most water-efficient siphon-flush WC available
in the UK. Other currently available low-flush WCs use dual flush valve
technology to achieve average flush volumes of less than 6 litres. Whilst
these appear to offer similar water savings to the Ifö Cera ES4,
the valve flush mechanisms can jam and will eventually leak, leading to
water wastage. Valve flush WCs are also relatively unfamiliar in the UK
and require specialist maintenance.1
The Ifö Cera ES4 has proven itself over many years for such clients
as the Forestry Commission and the National Trust, and is recommended
in a Best Practice Guide for Visitor Toilets at National Trust properties.
However, the Ifö Cera ES4 is also equally suitable for domestic applications
and it has been selected for a number of high-specification domestic projects.
For more information on Ifö Cera ES4 WCs, call the Green Building
Store sales team on 01484 854898 or visit www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk
Electrolux
Makes Life Easy for Celebrity Chefs at the BBC Good Homes Show
Electrolux
will make the lives of celebrity chefs such as Ainsley Harriott and Phil
Vickery that bit easier at this year's BBC Good Homes Show which opens
today in Birmingham (NEC, 8-11 May 2003). In keeping with the show's theme
of inspiration, appliances from the new Electrolux built-in range will
create a stunning environment for the chefs.
The chefs will cook mouthwatering summer dishes with ease using Electrolux's
multifunction oven EOD6330, which delivers complete cooking flexibility,
and the induction hob EHD6690 which offers the ultimate in cooking speed
and precision
Launched in February 2003, the new built-in appliances range combines
great design that answers consumer needs. All built-in appliances have
features designed to provide relevant consumer lifestyle benefits to make
lives easier.
New designs are available across all categories and include four designs
of single ovens, a further two designs of double ovens, and a range of
hobs with complementary hoods. The new appliances perfectly match the
trapezoid design of the new hood range.
The Celebrity Summer Kitchen forms part of the Food and Drink Hall at
the show. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore more of the
Electrolux built-in range in an exhibition area adjacent to the Kitchen
(stand number 1805). Members of the Electrolux team will also be on hand
to discuss the range and answer any questions.
Masco
is Latest Corporate Member of KBSA
Masco
Corporation, one of the world's largest manufacturers of brand-name consumer
products for the home and family, is the latest group of companies to
join the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association as a corporate
member.
Masco operates across the bathroom and kitchen industry and incorporates
a number of companies. Companies within the UK joining the KBSA under
the Masco banner are currently A&J Gummers (Sirrus), NewTeam, Bristan,
Heritage, Huppe, Recor, Glass and Imperial Towel Rails (Hansgrohe is already
a member) and more may follow suit at a later date.
Masco's principal manufacturing facilities are located throughout the
world, with key sites primarily located in Europe, particularly in the
UK, Denmark and Germany.
'We're delighted that Masco have joined the KBSA ranks and look forward
to working with this excellent, internationally-recognised group of companies
in the future,' says KBSA Chief Executive Graham Hayden.
'It's significant that more and more companies are now approaching us
with a view to becoming either retail or corporate members and this can
only be attributed to our decision late last year to change our association's
name to reflect our growing commitment to the wider interiors industry.'
American
Standard was first Bathroom Company to join newly named KBSA
American
Standard was the first bathroom company to join the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom
Specialists Association since the trade organisation changed its name
at the end of last year in order to reflect a growing commitment to the
wider interiors industry.
The largest bathroom company in Europe, American Standard comprises a
large number of brands throughout Europe and works with some of the best
international designers to provide consumers with up-to-the-minute style
and technology.
'We are delighted that a company of the calibre of Ideal-Standard has
led the way amongst bathroom companies keen to reap the considerable benefits
that KBSA membership can bring about,' said KBSA Chief Executive Graham
Hayden.
'We know that many other companies within the bathroom industry are set
to follow suit and very much look forward to presenting a ‘united
front’ that is truly representative of our industry as a whole.'
Richard Moss, Communications Manager of Kingston-upon-Hull based American
Standard, said: 'The company’s remarkable global reputation is based
upon a combination of exacting standards and a dedication to utilising
the very latest in manufacturing technology to achieve superb performance
and best quality.
'The KBSA shares our determination to provide the utmost in customer care
and excellence both in product and service – it makes perfect sense
for us to become a member of an association which continually strives
to uphold industry standards and promote key messages to the consumer
which can only be of benefit to us all.'
Email: mailto:info@kbsa.co.uk
Web: http://www.kbsa.co.uk
BMA
Membership Now Numbers 28
Sanitaryware
manufacturers Vitra, Heritage and Jacob Delafon, together with Bristan,
A&J Gummers, Imperial Towel Rails, shower manufacturer Newteam and
shower enclosure manufacturer Showerlux have recently joined the Bathroom
Manufacturers Association increasing the membership to 28.
Commercial Director, Yvonne Orgill says, 'Eight new members is great news
for the BMA and it endorses our continuous work on European and British
Standards Committees which is of vital importance to the whole industry.
The BMA’s aim to become the Centre of Excellence for the industry
and initiatives such as the consumer Fact Sheets, (intended to make life
easier for consumers to buy a bathroom), is a more visible evidence of
the value of the Associations work'.
Knaggs
Furniture Fittings has announced the opening of its new warehouse and
showroom facility in Harlow, Essex.
'After more than 22 years of successful trading from our Enfield depot,
the time is right for us to expand into new premises and offer an even
better service to our clients. We welcome visitors to our new showroom
where the latest range of Blum products and a new range of vinyl wrapped
doors can be viewed in comfort' said Mike Knaggs.
The company's new contact details are:
Knaggs Ltd
Unit 7 Ash Industrial Estate
Flex Meadow
Pinnacles
Harlow
Essex
CM19 5TJ
Tel: 01279 641199
Fax: 01279 641133
Email: mailto:knaggs@btconnect.com
Web: http://knaggs4fittings.co.uk
Neff
(UK) Recommends E-Cloths for Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances
Neff
(UK) has found a solution to the age-old problem of how to clean stainless
steel without using chemicals.
Hilary Hudson of Neff (UK) explains, 'Our customers are always asking
us how to clean stainless steel. Luckily we have found the answer in the
E-Cloth, a cloth that contains no chemicals, but millions of little ultra
micro fibres which literally wipe away all dirt, including grease, using
just water.'
E-Cloths are extremely kind to the environment as they neither contain
nor use chemicals and have such a good, natural cleaning effect that only
water is needed to clean all hard surfaces.
Hilary continues, 'we have tested them thoroughly and we recommend them
for use on all of our appliances.'
A further benefit to retailers is that E-cloths can be used in bathroom
and kitchen display areas where customers have opened units and touched
appliances leaving fingerprints and smudges. A simple wipe with an E-cloth
and water will instantly bring back the showroom sparkle.
E-Cloths are marketed by EnviroProducts Limited of Tunbridge Wells. The
company offers a wide range of micro fibre products including cloths for
cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, stainless steel, glass, mirrors, plastics,
chrome, television and computer screens, car dashboards and even wood.
Tel: 01892 752 199
Email: mailto:swpear@aol.com
Website: http://www.e-cloth.uk.com
Fisher
and Paykel Appliances to Launch 'Break-Through' Product in US Market
Home
grown technology is behind the development of a new 'break-through' clothes
dryer launched by New Zealand appliance manufacturer Fisher and Paykel
Appliances at a trade show in the United States recently.
The new dryer enables the machine to open at the top like most washing
machines, rather than at the front. Able to run on gas or electricity,
it can dry a full 8kg load from a matched washing machine in less than
an hour.
Fisher and Paykel Appliances will begin selling the new product later
this year. It will be available with a new matching washing machine, through
its established network of more than 2000 dealers.
Managing Director John Bongard says the company has spent five years and
$7 million perfecting the new concept, which no other manufacturer has
been able to successfully achieve.
'For a long time we have had the notion that a top loading dryer would
provide real benefits to consumers. The ergonomics of transferring heavy
damp clothes from a top loading washing machine to a front loading dryer
just didn't make sense. We also wanted to be able to dry a full washer
load in the dryer.
'It sounds simple. But the stumbling block has been that a dryer drum
needs to rotate horizontally, which would appear to make a top opening
machine impossible. Having the drum opening available to the user when
the dryer is stopped yet having no opening while it rotates, presented
some challenges.
'Our engineering team figured out how to do this, and also how to rotate
the drum forward and backwards to give superior drying performance. It
is a world first, and we have taken out full patent protection to ensure
we can profit appropriately from a genuine design breakthrough achieved
in New Zealand.'
The new 'SmartLoad' dryer was launched at the annual Kitchen and Bathroom
lndustry Show in Orlando, Florida.
The new SmartLoad dryers and matching Smart Drive® washing machines,
will sell at the top end of the United States market with a recommended
retail price for the matching pair of $US 1400. Mr Bongard said the use
of clothes dryers is much more common in the United States, where a higher
proportion of people are living in apartments, and conventional outdoor
clothes lines are banned on visual grounds in many areas.
'At the top end of the market consumers want a matched pair of automated,
high capacity appliances standing side by side, both opening from the
top, and we are the only manufacturer in the world able to offer this.'
The 'SmartLoad' dryer is the fourth major technology advance to come out
of Fisher and Paykel Appliances in recent times.
The three earlier advances, which have helped the company build annual
export sales of more than $600 million, were the development of computerised
Smart Drive® technology for washing machines, the DishDrawer®
concept for dish washers and the Active Smart® refrigerators.
Mr Bongard says the 'SmartLoad' dryers are not expected to be available
in New Zealand or Australia for about 18 months, as early production will
be committed to meeting initial US demands.
DuPont
Showcases Designer's 'Modern Interpretation' of Corian® and Zodiaq®,
for the Bathroom at ISH
At
ISH 2003 DuPont demonstrated how a designer can use modem materials to
create inspirational pieces for the bathroom - and how these designs can
be easily realised using state-of-the-art fabrication techniques.
Italian designer Massimo Fucci masterminded both the DuPont stand concept
and most of the design pieces on display - all of which were unveiled
for the first time at ISH 2003. He says: 'I attempted to highlight the
special characteristics of Corian® and Zodiaq®, whilst giving
them a totally modern interpretation, really showing what a modern material
can achieve.'
Fucci
used Corian® and Zodiaq®, to create not only baths, showers and
vanities, but also a reception desk, conference desk, plus floor- and
wall-cladding, showing that the only limit to using the two materials
is the designer's own imagination.
Among the highlights of the stand were:
• a thermoformed circular bathtub in Corian® with two sinks integrated
into the design
• a dramatic rectangular bath in Zodiaq®
• a double shower, clad in Corian®, backlit to stunning effect.
• Fucci's new 'loop' vanity in Corian® - inspired by his acclaimed
'loop' table
• a sleekly-designed vanity which combines a Zodiaq® surface
with integrated bowls in Corian®.
(Complementing the clean, simple lines of all the designs shown are contemporary
chrome faucets by Dombracht.)
Striking backdrop
In addition to the bathroom designs, Corian® and Zodiaq® were
used to clad the walls and floor of the stand, showing the effects that
can be achieved when these materials are used over wide areas, as they
often are in commercial environments. Providing a striking backdrop to
Fucci's designs, two walls of the central stand area were clad in Zodiaq®,
Indus Red, while the other two walls are covered in concave panels of
thermoformed Corian®.
Both Corian® and Zodiaq® offer a comprehensive colour choice,
and the DuPont stand gave a flavour of this offering. Fucci says: 'I've
tried to blend soft colours like beige and cream together with more striking
hues like deep red and dark brown, to show how effective these contrasts
can be.'
DuPont™ Corian®, invented by DuPont in the mid-1960's, is used
in residential,
commercial, furniture and specialty applications. It is a non-porous solid
surface
material that is stain-resistant, easy to clean, durable and renewable.
Available in over 1OO colours, Corian® can be shaped into virtually
any conceivable design. Scratches are easily removed without marring its
beauty and uniformity of colour.
DuPont™ Zodiaq® is a premium decorative surfacing material that
combines the strength and beauty of natural quartz with a palette of 18
colours, and consistency of structures and tones. Zodiaq®, has a distinctive,
luxurious aesthetic that lends itself to a variety of horizontal and vertical
surfacing applications in both residential and commercial environments.
Tel: (free of charge) 0800 962 1 16
Web: http://www.corian.com
Web: http://www.zodiaq.com
Scientific
Survey Results in Top Marks for Miele Steam Cooker /
Elmar Schlich, Professor of Household Technology, Foresees New Kitchen
Trends
Steam
cooking offers a perfect combination of excellent flavour and a healthy
diet. This has been confirmed by an expert report compiled by the Justus
Liebig University in Gießen and the Koblenz-Landau university which
proved that not only do some types of vegetables contain 50% more vitamin
C when prepared in a Miele steam cooker rather than when cooked in water,
but also that steam-cooked food retains its natural flavour much better.
The
study covered taste, colour and texture (Koblenz University) and vitamin
analysis (Gießen University). The first group tasted peppers, carrots,
broccoli and potatoes in a blind test and evaluated the colour, shape,
flavour and texture of the cooked food by awarding points. The report
reaches the conclusion that: 'The final result based on tests performed
according to scientific standards shows that cooking vegetables in a Miele
steam cooker compared to the conventional hob method achieves excellent
results with respect to the flavour and nutritional content. Steam cooking
preserves the natural flavour of different types of vegetable without
the need for salt. With a view to taste, colour and texture, results are
far better than those achieved by traditional cooking methods.'
Miele's DG 2000 steam cooker puts paid to the widespread preconception
that 'if it tastes good, it's unhealthy'. This versatile appliance not
only assists in creating new recipes, steam cooking also ensures low-fat
fare which is richer in vitamins than food prepared any other way. This
was confirmed by a nutrient analysis carried out by Professor Elmar Schlich,
household technology expert at the Justus Liebig university, who stated:
'Vegetables, in particular, show a high concentration of vitamins, minerals
and nutrients when they have been steam-cooked which also helps to preserve
the natural flavour. With traditional cooking, on the other hand, food
tends to become bland, as some of the water-soluble vitamins and minerals
are lost.' Broccoli prepared in a Miele steam cooker, for example, contains
around 50% more vitamin C than when cooked in a pan. The same applies
to minerals and nutrients in peppers: values for steam-cooked produce
were the same as for raw peppers, whereas conventionally cooked peppers
showed a loss of approx. 45%.
The report points out that cooking times and power settings were monitored
under laboratory conditions, whereas in the home temperatures are rarely
maintained with any accuracy. Commenting on the Miele steam cooker, the
report states: 'Precise maintenance of selected cooking times ensures
good, reproducible results', meaning that the electronically controlled
steam cooking process virtually eliminates the risk of error, such as
incorrect power settings, excessive cooking times and overcooking.
Elmar Schlich foresees steam cooking becoming the new kitchen trend in
the next few years, since it offers an ideal combination of superb flavour
and a healthy diet. The DG 2000 steam cooker fulfils another requirement
as a 'trend' appliance: According to the expert, 'nowadays an appliance
must be simple and convenient to operate as well as being equally suited
to the processing of convenience products such as frozen food and pre-cooked
meals as well as fresh market produce. The Miele steam cookers fulfil
these requirements perfectly'.
For
over 140 years the Amana colonies in the United States have been renowned
for producing reliable quality products. It was in 1934, George Foerstner,
an Amana native, was challenged by a local businessman to make a reliable
beverage cooler. His success led to the birth of Amana appliances. By
1950 Amana had set the industry benchmark for domestic food freezers.
Since then, Amana has led the American refrigeration market with technical
innovation, bespoke customisable designs and today, 'A' rated energy performance
across the entire range.
The MX-M Design is the haut couture of American side-by-side refrigeration
with its combination of coloured or mirrored glass and stainless steel.
Features of the new Amana MX-M refrigerators:
* 'A' energy rating.
* Temp-Assure(tm) system independently controls the fridge and freezer
temperature to within 1deg C, eliminating the wide temperature fluctuations
often found in many other cooling appliances.
* Free-O-Frost technology, patented by Amana in 1954, means every Amana
fridge freezer is frost free.
* Up to 7 independently controlled food preservation zones are available
on the Amana MX-M, depending on model.
* Garden fresh crispers for fruit and vegetables with independent humidity
control for maximum retention of nutritional value and freshness.
* Temperature controlled Beverage Chiller(tm) to keep milk and drinks
cooler than the main refrigerator. There is also a MiniChiller for yoghurt
and small beverage cans. Perfect for the storage of anything from Champagne
to milk for better tasting and lasting quality.
* Chiller Fresh(tm)Zero degree drawer for the preservation of deli items,
seafood, cold meats and chilled foods. The adjustable control keeps the
contents up to 4degC cooler than the rest of the fridge. The airflow ensures
that it is circulated around the drawer and not directly into it, to protect
the contents from dehydration.
* Flexible Spillsaver glass shelving systems that glide-out, move up,
down, over or completely out to adapt to all storage needs.
* Ice and water dispenser with electronic controls not only delivers cubed
or crushed ice and chilled water but also indicates when to replace the
water filter, maintaining water quality at all times.
* Available with or without an ice and water dispenser and as a freestanding
or built-in option.
* Available with bronzed mirror or black or grey coloured glass panels
set in stainless steel.
Holly Burrow, Marketing Manager, Maytag UK says, 'Maytag is determined
to continually add value through innovation, style and functionality.
Amana is a perfect fit and reinforces the customers' perception of our
design and quality values. Amana offers a specially created collection
of beautifully designed refrigerators which promotes individual style
with stunning finishes and excellent 'A' rated energy performance.'
Tel: 01737 231 000
Web: http://www.maytag.co.uk