Hettich Group, with headquarters in Krichlengern (Germany) and an Italian subsidiary in Cimavilla di Codognè (Treviso), achieved a turnover of 777 million Euros in 2007, against 700 millions in the previous year. This means +11% growth, with an international share increasing from 60% to 64% in 12 months. With a weak German market, most expansion was recorded on the international market.
As Hettich Group CEO and business partner, Andreas Hettich explained that keeping raw material prices high and the difficulties to apply price adjustments in the weak German market have curbed profit levels.
Worldwide, there are 5,800 Hettich employees (5,500 in 2006). More than 3,000 are employed in Germany, with 100 new jobs in the Kichlengern factory. In six international manufacturing sites and sales & marketing companies in the world, the staff has grown by 200 employees.
For 2008, Andreas Hettich expects a clear market shrink. German consumers keep on being reluctant on spending, as it was in the last months of 2007. The effects of the crisis in the US estate properties as well as the resulting weakness on the financial markets that are affecting international consumption. Despite this, Hettich Group kept on investing in innovative products and rationalizing costs in the domestic market.
Last April, the Group laid a cornerstone for the building of a new center in Kirchlengern. With 2.5 million Euros, the project includes a new exhibition center called Hettich Forum with a new welcome building and office block. Designed according to the “GreenBuilding” guidelines of the European system to enhance the energy efficiency of non-residential buildings, the new construction will be opened in February 2009.
The new center will be in Vahrenkampstrasse. The current 1,250 square meter exhibition area will be divided into a 800 square meter area and a two-story building covering some 400 square meters. The two buildings will be linked by a boulevard.
According to the specific requests of Hettich’s specializing departments, the Herford-based architects’ company of Christoph Feld and Silvia Nikulski was committed to design the project.
Once the new building is built, the administration center will be renovated and modernized, and the old exhibition center will host events and training sessions.
Andreas Hettich explained: “Innovation capacity is independent of geographic location. To us, staying where we belong and globalization are not contradictory. And we want to prove it with this new building.”
