12.02.2015
Leifheit Aktiengesellschaft DE0006464506
DGAP-News: Leifheit Aktiengesellschaft: Leifheit presents a new Group strategy, stable turnover for the Group and significant growth in its Brand Business in 2014
DGAP-News: Leifheit Aktiengesellschaft / Key word(s): Development of
Sales/Miscellaneous
Leifheit Aktiengesellschaft: Leifheit presents a new Group strategy,
stable turnover for the Group and significant growth in its Brand
Business in 2014
12.02.2015 / 09:29
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P R E S S R E L E A S E
Leifheit presents a new Group strategy, stable turnover for the Group and
significant growth in its Brand Business in 2014
- Preliminary figures for 2014 show a rise in Group turnover of 0.5%
- Brand Business with a growth of 4.4%
- EBIT will reach about EUR 21 to EUR 22 million also due to currency
effects
- The "Leifheit 2020" strategy: Leifheit positions itself as the expert
for clean and care in the household
Nassau/Germany 12 February 2015 - According to preliminary figures, the
Leifheit Group has met its forecasts and finished the 2014 financial year
recording a Group turnover of EUR 220.7 million, which represents an
increase of 0.5% compared to the comparative previous year's figure of EUR
219.5 million. The company was able to achieve these stable figures despite
various obstacles, such as the difficult competitive environment and
different performances, both in the product segments and in the individual
regions.
Significant gains have been achieved not only in Germany, but also in
Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Also in Italy and Spain, Leifheit
recorded positive momentum. On the other hand, but in line with
expectations, the markets in Russia and the Ukraine showed negative
developments; declining turnover was likewise reported in France and in the
regions outside Europe.
In its strategically important Group segment Brand Business, Leifheit
generated a turnover of EUR 180.4 million in 2014. This represents a
significant increase of 4.4%. On the other hand, the company's smaller
Volume Business recorded a decline in turnover of 13.8% and generated EUR
40.3 million, these figures reflecting expectations.
The Leifheit Group will present its final figures for the year 2014 when it
submits its complete annual financial report on 26 March 2015. However,
well in advance on 29 January 2015, the Board of Management adjusted its
forecast for operating earnings upwards; its new forecast, partly based on
exceptionally positive foreign currency results of EUR 5 million for 2014,
is a consolidated Group EBIT of EUR 21-22 million compared to EUR 14.9
million in the previous year.
The "Leifheit 2020" strategy is already making its mark on plans for 2015
The Leifheit AG Board of Management took the opportunity to unveil a
revised Group strategy and the "Leifheit 2020" vision at the time of
presenting its preliminary figures for 2014. "In essence, we are
positioning the Leifheit brand in the future as the experts for easy and
convenient clean and care in the household. At the same time, the Soehnle
brand will be significantly strengthened and aligned more closely with the
core brand. We are therefore continuing our efforts to improve
profitability and to strengthen our brands; at the same time, we set new
impulses for our future product range," according to Thomas Radke, CEO of
Leifheit AG.
A significant focus of the strategy is to attract additional target groups
through a holistic category approach in the core categories of clean and
care including new price segments. Leifheit wants to pave the way to
success by aligning its entire value chain to consumer needs and to boost
its investment in innovation, development and marketing power.
"What that means for us specifically is that we will become the leading
experts on solutions that make everyday life at home more easy and
convenient," explained Thomas Radke. As part of this strategy, Leifheit
will also aim to address individual purchasing behaviour. "We will focus on
our target groups wherever they buy their household items, both in physical
shops and online. Consumers who are looking for quality branded products
need look no further than the products offered by Leifheit and Soehnle.
However, in future we will also cater for the quality-conscious consumer
looking for mid-priced products." The company also provides retailers with
tailored solutions for differentiation as part of its POS excellence
initiatives.
The new strategic guidelines have given a clear focus for the current 2015
financial year. Therefore, for the financial year 2015 the Board of
Management expects a stable turnover for the Leifheit Group, Brand business
growth between 1 and 3% and EBIT at the same level as for 2014 after
adjustments for foreign currency results.
New product ideas at the Ambiente trade fair
Every year, Leifheit exhibits its latest trends and innovations at the
Ambiente international consumer goods fair in Frankfurt. This year,
Leifheit will show the new range of Xtra Clean brooms with their X-shaped
arrangement of bristles, thus further expanding its range of cleaning
products. Additionally, Leifheit will exhibit the new generation of its
successful window vacuum cleaner - which has already been honoured with the
Plus X Award 2015 - the latest all-in-one ironing board "AIR" systems
range, and its new dryer models. The Soehnle brand is represented by
numerous new designs for kitchen and bathroom scales.
About Leifheit
Leifheit AG was founded in 1959 and is one of the leading European brand
suppliers of household items. The company stands for high-quality,
innovative products with great utility and pioneering design in the sectors
of cleaning, laundry care, kitchen goods and wellbeing. Leifheit and
Soehnle are two of the most well-known brands in Germany. Apart from its
Brand Business, Leifheit AG also operates in the service-based Volume
Business through its French subsidiaries Birambeau and Herby. The Leifheit
Group and its international branches combined have around 1,000 employees.
More information on Leifheit can be found online at www.leifheit-group.com,
www.leifheit.com and www.soehnle.com.
Contact:
Leifheit AG
D-56377 Nassau
[email protected]
+49 2604 977218
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Language: English
Company: Leifheit Aktiengesellschaft
Leifheitstraße
56377 Nassau / Lahn
Germany
Phone: 02604 977-0
Fax: 02604 977-340
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.leifheit.com
ISIN: DE0006464506
WKN: 646450
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover,
München, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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