Page 17 - Parquet International december 2014

Andrea Margaritelli, Sales Director, Listone Giordano
How did your company fare in 2014?
There’s been a gradual yet substantial recovery in overseas contracts, while our domestic markets have remained stagnant, as these are mainly based on retail sales and so easily affected by the drop in confidence and nominal purchasing power. Listone Giordano has seen growth in several international markets, both in the retail and the contract supplies sectors. This growth has mostly involved exports to Asia and the Middle-East.
Have you adopted any special anti-crisis measures?
We’ve recently completed a lengthy and painstaking process of product development. Our product range is now split into three lines: the Classic line (technology and elegance), the Atelier line (tradition and artisan quality) and the Natural Genius line (design and innovation). We now have a stronger and clearer base from which to face future challenges. Not to mention Listone Giordano’s constant investments in marketing tools and sales support. What do you foresee for 2015?
We intend to continue doing business with courage and coherence, with an emphasis on promoting open dialogue with the world of furniture and interior design.
Domotex, Made and Expo 2015 are approaching: what steps have you taken?
We’ve recently taken part in Cersaie (ceramic tiles and bathroom furnishings), much to our satisfaction, as well as in other international events dedicated to the world of professionals and design in Rotterdam, Paris, Singapore, etc. We now need to catch our breath before making any new commitments.
Dennis Bordin, President and General Manager, Progress Profiles
How did your company fare in 2014?
2014 has been a good year for
us: Progress Profiles continues
to grow. Our company – a
leading producer of technical
and decorative profiles, finishing membranes and many other innovative systems – is about to close 2014 with growth in two figures thanks to the efforts of a highly creative and professional team. Have you adopted any special anti-crisis measures? Many investments: in quality, service, human resources and an increasingly widespread sales network with professional sales personnel and technical experts. We continue to invest in research and development, as well as in in-house and external training courses. All this, plus hi-tech production systems, to guarantee exceptionally high product quality and total customer satisfaction.
What do you foresee for 2015?
Progress Profiles looks forward to 2015 without reservations. We’ll continue to invest in advanced technology, training and design. We already export to more than 50 countries and so will continue to expand our customer base in 2015, aware that people are becoming more willing to invest in genuine Italian quality.
Domotex, Made and Expo 2015 are approaching: what steps have you taken?
We’ll be presenting our very latest products to the market, including our patented PRODESO HEAT electrical heating system, as well as some recent and already highly successful systems, such as Proleveling, the Proled System and the Proshower. We’ll also use these trade fairs to present many new profiles with modern shapes and finishes to add elegance to any room.
Ercole Bibiano, Managing Director, Klindex
How did your company fare in 2014?
Our company has a worldwide reputation as a leader in the treatment and polishing of marble, granite, stone and ceramic tile flooring. We’ve recently expanded and boosted our
range of wooden flooring sanding and polishing machinery. Given that we’re already successfully established in many markets (and especially so in Germany, Benelux, the UK, France and East Europe) thanks to our famous Timba sanding machine that has replaced the more conventional roller and band machines, in 2014 we decided to invest in R&D, in order to design new machines capable of meeting the needs of our customers operating in the wooden flooring sector. We’ve recently patented and started production of our new Mini Timba: the only floor sander that lets you sand edges and awkward areas (such as under radiators) without having to kneel down, as is the case with other perimeter sanding machines. Despite the general crisis, 2014 has been another good year for Klindex with an overall increase in sales of 10%, mainly due to exports. What do you foresee for 2015?
We’re confident that the upwards trend will continue in 2015. Indeed, we’ve just opened a new branch in America, confident that our technology and competitiveness will ensure our success on such far-flung and fiercely competitive markets such as the USA and Canada.
Domotex, Made and Expo 2015 are approaching: what steps have you taken?
As for Domotex, Made and Expo2015, we feel these aren’t the right exhibitions for us at the moment, as our target clients don’t attend this type of event.
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