Austria-based Lasselsberger, the largest ceramic wall and floor tiles manufacturer in Romania, recorded first-half sales of €15.4 million, 40% of the sales it had predicted for this year.
“The first-half results confirmed us that we’re on the right track to meet projections for this year. We have achieved 40% of the turnover we had targeted for this year”, said Eduard Macarescu, chief commercial officer of Lasselsberger Romania, the local subsidiary of the Austrian manufacturer.
The company recorded last year a turnover of €35 million, down 15.2% from 2008, due to the decline in the construction industry. For 2010, the manufacturer anticipates 10% growth in turnover to €38.5 million.
In the first four months this year, Lasselsberger’s plant in Cluj has boosted production output by 48% compared to year-ago level.
“For the time being, the plant is operating at full capacity. For some sections we decided to raise number of shifts and work hours accordingly. Also, in order to meet demand, we shifted a floor-tile production line into wall tile line.
Although it produced floor and wall tiles more than it did in Jan-Apr 2009, first-half sales in 2010 have been the same as last year. In H1 2009, the group managed to sell off the year-ago surplus stocks, and thus, it had to boost production this year.
Sales goals it had projected for this year will be achieved despite the budget spending cuts that will weigh heavily on consumers’ buying power, as the company relies on promotion campaigns, new store openings and its focus on low-to-medium income population.
For 2010, the manufacturer expects €2 million exports, which accounts for around 5% of the projected turnover.
