During the cold season, an increasing number of people leave open terraces for closed spaces such as pubs or restaurants. However, people are not willing to give up fresh air and thus producers and distributors of air purifiers derive annual sales of more than 500,000 euros.
One of the air purifier importers and distributors on the Romanian market is West Air of Bucharest, a company set up in February 2003. Sorin Lumina, general manager of West Air Group, says he noticed the growth potential of the air purifier business from the very beginning due to the efficient elimination of cigarette smoke and to the fact that the rapid installation does not require construction transformations of the space the devices are put in.
Besides air purifiers, West Air also distributes air barriers and air dehumidifiers. Prices of air barriers range between 308 euros and 480 euros, while the dehumidifier prices vary between 308-600 euros. Dehumidifier demand comes from highly different market segments, from pharmaceutical plants to office buildings.
West Air posted turnover worth 1.7 million RON (0.5 million euros) in 2005. "The company's financial performance is increasing, but has not reached the level of our expectations for now. One of the reasons why the market has not progressed in line with expectations is the Romanian legislation in the domain, which does not impose a minimum air quality standard in the case of public spaces," explained Lumina.
Prices of air purifiers range between 1,300 and 2,400 euros. In just three years since establishment, West Air managed to include among its customers companies such as "Henry Coanda" Airport, Pizza Hut, KFC, Hilton Casino, OMV, British American Tobacco, Philip Morris, Turabo Cafe. Lumina expects turnover to grow by 30% in 2006 against 2005.
The company also plans to promote a new product: the air cooler for
