Italian kitchen cooker hood giant Elica has managed to secure an vital increase in revenues and a steady profit during its 2011 performance, despite the savage impact of the UK and European economies.
In its preliminary results covering 2011, the kitchen appliance company has reported that sales were up nearly 3% to just over €378 million (£325m), largely due to increased sales volumes and an improvement in pricing. Elica said that these sales were 'significantly' out in front of the overall falling global market for kitchen extractor hoods.
The positive picture changes somewhat when geographical location is taken into consideration. For the company as a whole, European sales actual fell by 1.4% while the Americas saw significant growth of just over 20% and Asia 18%. It would seem that the Italian kitchen appliance manufacturer is certainly open for export business.
Andrea Sasso, chief executive of the Elica Group was reported as saying "In 2011 we operated within a very difficult environment…the increase in the costs of raw materials, the property market crisis and the challenging international economic-financial environment severely impacted our sector.
Mr Sasso added;
"However, we have managed to firmly maintain our leadership position. Our strong teamwork is a source of great satisfaction - as are the results achieved. We will continue to make efficiencies in the production process, to invest in innovation and to continually pursue win-win strategies both for our internal and external stakeholders."
About Elica
Elica placed first in the “Great Place to Work” category of the Best Workplaces of 2011 rankings and has over 2,300 employees, with an annual output of around 16 million units of modern kitchen hoods and motors, over eight plants - five in Italy and one each in Poland, Mexico and Germany.
Throughout the years, Elica revolutionized both itself and the image traditionally associated with range hoods and transforming them into an identifying element of the kitchen thanks to the continuity of innovation and technology, to the constructive knowledge acquired over time and to a distinctive attention to design. Elica brings a breath of fresh air into the kitchen. www.elica.com
