Page 12 - Parquet International december 2014

MARKET
Luca Stacchiotti,
Sales Manager (Italy), Bauwerk
How did your company fare in 2014?
2014 has been an important year for us and we’ve had some great results. We sowed the seeds in 2013 and are now reaping the benefits: we’ve expanded our sales network, seen our turnover improve
and exceeded our expectations.
Have you adopted any special anti-crisis measures? We’ve been active on three fronts. Firstly, we’ve expanded our sales network: an indispensable move for a relatively new company on the Italian market such as Bauwerk. At the same time we’ve highlighted a few areas for potential growth that were “frozen”
in 2013. Thirdly, we’ve invested in a communications strategy aimed at both the general public
(the end users) and resellers and parquet fitters. What do you foresee for 2015?
We’re confident that we’ll continue to enjoy success in 2015. We forecast further growth in our turnover and a strengthening of our sales network.
Domotex, Made and Expo 2015 are
approaching: what steps have you taken?
The most important date for us in 2015 is that
of BAU in Munich, rather
than Domotex. We are
still uncertain whether or
not to take part in Made,
as the Bauwerk sales
strategies for 2015 have
yet to be finalised. The
final decision will also
affect on our participation
in Expo 2015.
12
THE VOICE OF BUSINESS
Patrizio Dei Tos,
Director, Itlas
How did your company fare in 2014?
This year has been very confusing.
In other words, we’ve had to stop
and think before undertaking each
new project. Indeed, we’ve found
that it’s been very worthwhile
doing this on some occasions rather
than taking rash decisions in the heat of the moment. Have you adopted any special anti-crisis measures? Let me say this: we’ve learnt how to do business like the Chinese. Not in the sense that we’re now selling our products cheaply, but that we’re content to watch and wait.
What do you foresee for 2015?
I believe it’s important to maintain a positive outlook in business. There are signs of a fixed purpose and a serious approach from on high, which in the real world can be translated as pointing to confidence. There is a market for
our products; it’s just that there isn’t enough
trust and faith in the future.
Domotex, Made and Expo 2015 are approaching: what steps have you taken?
These events are extremely important for us, if we want to export Italian products around the world. We believe in their validity and so we’re getting ready to take part with great enthusiasm and impact.
Oscar Panseri, General Manager, Chimiver
How did your company fare in 2014?
Definitely not an easy year. To tell the truth, 2014 has proved to be the hardest year since 2008
in general terms, marking a -50% fall in the sector over the last 5-6 years!
Have you adopted any special anti-crisis measures?
We’ve set up an anti-crisis hotline! I’m joking,
of course. Thanks to our 50 years in the business and staff of 57 (including 12 dedicated to R&D), we’ve invested a lot of time and energy in coming up with new ideas for the parquet industry, to the benefit of the producer, the fitter and the end-user alike. We’ve also been monitoring the markets
for the (pesky) alternatives to parquet.
Exports have also been a crucial element.
What do you foresee for 2015?
We hope to return to previous figures (13,000,000 square metres of new or restored parquet flooring), that the Italian Government will reduce the cost
of politics by 50% and cut taxes by 50%! We also
hope that undertakings and promises will be kept and that people can smile again and feel confident in the future. Domotex, Made and Expo 2015 are approaching: what steps have you taken?
We live on a day-to-day basis,
as always! We’ve many new ideas and are doing all we can to continue growing, despite the poor economic
conditions. Domotex will be the first showcase chronologically.
Angelo Giangiulio, Product Manager Wooden Flooring Line, Mapei
How did your company
fare in 2014?
2014 closes on a positive note for the Mapei Group. It goes without saying that the overseas markets have allowed us to grow, especially in the case
of our parquet products. I estimate that our total turnover in the parquet sector will about € 45 million by the end of the year.
Have you adopted any special anti-crisis measures? Mapei has always adopted the same strategy: continuous monitoring of the markets, paying particular attention to customer needs, in order
to develop new products offering new solutions. Our top priority is to protect human health through respect for the environment.
What do you foresee for 2015?
We expect another year of great sacrifices
on the Italian market. Nevertheless, we’ll continue to develop new products to offer new solutions. Domotex, Made and Expo 2015 are approaching: what steps have you taken?
We started preparing for Domotex, BAU and Made Expo 2015 in September. However, I can’t disclose anything yet. All I can say is that we will most definitely present an innovative product!