Page 13 - Parquet International december 2014

Carlo Comani, Italian Sales Director for Gazzotti
How did your company fare in 2014?
2014 was a big year for Gazzotti. We have been very busy in the research & development
of new products: as many as 74 new developments were presented to the market, still others are currently in the pipeline awaiting immediate launching.We are clearly no longer referring to a crisis, and we are not patiently waiting for the market to recover.
Have you adopted any special anti-crisis measures?
We took action all across the board, maximizing the efficiency of our internal organization and sales team while channeling greater effort into research, as mentioned above. It’s hard for me to comprehend how a ceramic product - even with excellent chromatic definition -
can take the place of an irreplaceable raw material such as wood. Our new Vintage finish is an undeniable step forward for the entire sector. Already renowned for its extraordinary naturalness, Vintage is now also incredibly scratch-resistant: this parquet can be laid in bathrooms, in kitchens, and in high-transit areas with all wood’s warmth and naturalness. Does that seem like a small accomplishment?
What do you foresee for 2015?
Predictions on the performance of a market that is regularly violated by politicians and bureaucrats in 2015
are difficult to make. Fortunately, our expectations for our own performance are high because our ambitious development programs are clearly defined. Sales in foreign markets as well obviously rank among of our prime objectives.
Domotex, Made and Expo 2015 are approaching: what steps have you taken?
We will not be participating in either Domotex or Made: we’ve decided to exchange a large part of our trade fair exhibition with methodically organized meetings with professionals and clients: more than additional visibility, we need to communicate the quality of our products, the advantages of choosing a Gazzotti parquet, the power of Made in Italy production.
Elia Bolzan, owner
and General Manager,
Friulparchet
How did your company
fare in 2014?
The much awaited economic
recovery (especially in the
building industry) has yet
again failed to materialise.
New construction sites are far
and few between and statistics point to a situation that is likely to continue for years to come.
We are now mainly focussing on the renovation sector: our new materials and finishes meet with
the approval of an ever more demanding clientele with an eye for quality.
Have you adopted any special anti-crisis measures?
Luckily, all the efforts we’ve made in the past to attract foreign clients are now finally paying off.
We have strengthened our already good ties with various countries, where our product lines have
met with great interest. We’re also putting the final touches to a new business plan for the next 3-year period and we’re convinced that our future success lies in our ability to export our products.
What do you foresee for 2015?
We’re still confident and see the glass as half-full. After all, our company has been around for a very long time, with the fourth generation now becoming involved. We therefore feel it’s our duty to continue with what the past generations started, if for no other reason than respect for those who believe
in our company and our great products.
Domotex, Made and Expo 2015 are approaching: what steps have you taken?
We’re considering these, but have yet to decide which of the three we want to attend.
Renza Altoè Garbelotto, Managing Director, Parchettificio Garbelotto and Master Floor
How did your company
fare in 2014?
We’ve invested heavily in our production plant in 2014, reorganising and revamping our machinery and laser cutter technology. We’ve taken
part in several Italian and international trade fairs. Having said that, however, the Italian market is currently in free-fall, with several
partners facing insolvency, no movement in the construction sector and an escalation in the number of defaulters.
Have you adopted any special anti-crisis measures? Thanks to our investments, we’ve boosted our exports, which has allowed us to offset the fall
in our Italian turnover. The current trend in Italy
is a demand for lower prices, even if this means resorting to imports.
What do you foresee for 2015?
We have a strict code of ethics and always respect the client and the end user’s wishes. We invest
in new technology and products on an ongoing basis: this will continue to be our strategy
in foreseeable future.
Domotex, Made and Expo 2015 are approaching: what steps have you taken?
After much thought, we’ve decided not to take part in Made Expo. We’ve chosen to attend other trade fairs that share our philosophy and which have welcomed us with great enthusiasm. We shall be
at Domotex as usual, however, as this is the major international exhibition for our sector.
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