7 minute read
News
Villeroy & Boch reports ‘significant increase’ in the first half of 2022
Villeroy & Boch has reported a 9.1 per cent rise in consolidated revenue to €490.3 million in the first half of year. EBIT, meanwhile, increased by 9.8 per cent year-onyear to € 41.3 million. This earnings growth was primarily attributable to good revenue performance, which offset the additional costs resulting from the sharp rise in material and energy prices.
In the first half of 2022, the Villeroy & Boch Group generated consolidated revenue (incl. licence income) of €490.3 million, up €40.7 million or 9.1 per cent, on the same period of the previous year. Incoming orders increased in the first half of 2022, rising by € 23.7 million as against 31 December 2021 to €210.5 million. The Bathroom & Wellness Division accounted for € 169.1 million, with the remaining € 41.4 million attributable to the Dining & Lifestyle Division.
The Dining & Lifestyle Division generated revenue of € 140.9 million in the first half of 2022, an increase of 12.6 per cent or €15.8 million on the same period of the previous year. Revenue at the Group’s own retail stores (€ +10.9 million), revenue with retail outlet partners (€ +4.6 million) and project business with hotel and restaurant customers (€ +6.2 million) all increased. This good revenue performance was driven by increased digitalisation in marketing and sales, a successful product range policy and the expansion of the communication strategy. On the back of the revenue growth, the Dining & Lifestyle Division recorded an operating result (EBIT) of €4.9 million, up significantly on the previous year (€ 2.7 million).
Denby is looking for new investors to accelerate its recent growth. While the brand and business goes from strength-to-strength in its home UK market, as well as overseas in North America, South Korea and China, they are now on the hunt for further investment. Sebastian Lazell, group CEO, Denby, explains that while Hilco Capital “are delighted” with the company’s growth, they are now seeking support from investors who can help drive Denby forward even more. ““Denby Pottery, our investors and advisors are, therefore, reviewing options for the future ownership of the Denby Group, potentially involving the support of investors better suited to the increasingly international needs of the business in the years ahead. No decisions have been taken at this time and any potential future decision will be taken with the interests of the company’s stakeholders always in mind."
Lenox acquires
Cambridge Silversmiths
Lenox Corporation recently announced the acquisition of Cambridge Silversmiths. The deal includes all existing Cambridge-branded tabletop products including flatware and drinkware but does not include the Thirstystone brand.
“The addition of the Cambridge business affords us the opportunity to further connect consumers to our house of brands,” said Bob Burbank, CEO of Lenox Corporation.
Lalique marks centenary of Alsace factory
Lalique has marked 100-years of its Alsace factory by crafting an exceptional bottle containing a new Lalique fragrance, named Fusion, and a beautiful spirit decanter called Water drop.
To mark a century of manufacturing, Lalique’s Fusion flacon is exceptional in that just ten signed and numbered pieces exist. The Lalique Design Studio, under the direction of Marc Larminaux, worked in close collaboration with the master glassmakers to create this tribute to their expertise. Meanwhile, as a tribute to the history of Lalique, an original design was chosen from the company archives for a white glass decanter produced in 1922, the year in which the first furnace in René Lalique’s glassworks was lit. In 2022, one hundred years after its first edition, the Water drop decanter has been recreated in satin-polished crystal, the signature Lalique style that reflects the artisans’ unique expertise.
Vodka trumps gin
Vodka is now more popular than gin in the UK, according to a recent report by The Grocer. It found that Smirnoff enjoyed a £22m boost (3.9 per cent rise) while gin brand Gordons saw a decline in sales of £81m. The Grocer said: “Britain's gin boom is drawing to a close in the UK's supermarkets as vodka picks up the slack” while adding “many of the UK's biggest gin brands have suffered massive declines. Conversely, the biggest vodka brands have made large gains.”
5 mins with… Sue Ure
Ceramicist Sue Ure tells us about her All smiles! new collection, Ambit
Tell us about Ambit?
Ambit is a porcelain tableware collection, it’s part of my UK Sue Ure Maison brand. The design is about contrasts and boundaries - the contrast between light and dark and the textural contrast between glossy and matt and the border that separates the two. All the shapes – currently, two mugs and two beakers – are available in white or in black porcelain with a demarcating slip line in a choice of six colours. All the pieces are suitable for hot and cold drinks and are dishwasher and microwave safe.
What is the inspiration behind the collection?
Design awareness was a big part of my upbringing. My mum, a young professional in the post-war years, chose furnishings and household objects with attention and enthusiasm. Key purchases included furniture designed by Ernest Race and the Finnish brand Arabia for innovative and multi-coloured tableware. My designs are still influenced by that early environment as well as the events and themes of my teenage years; moon landings, Biba clothes and PopArt crossed with Bauhaus-inspired simplicity. Living and working in sunny south-west France also has an impact on my use and appreciation of colour. Vivid colours come into their own in this context, bringing a definite joie de vivre.
Where is it available at retail?
The new Colour-Line edit is due for release early August and will initially be available from: www.iamfy.com and www.sueuremaison.com. Ambit in black and white lines only is already available from www.iamfy.com , www.sueuremaison.com , www.blackbough.co.uk
Are you currently working on any bespoke collections?
I’m working at the moment on a collection of hand-thrown pieces for Tate Modern for their upcoming Cézanne exhibition. This is always a really stimulating process and I often find that elements from the avenues I’ve explored find their way into my regular ranges.
How many collections do you typically introduce annually?
It’s a variable feast - I’m always designing for one or other of my brands. Sue Ure Maison is my UK company and brand, where the collections are all designed by me, but produced by larger-scale manufacturers. Sue Ure Ceramics is my hand-thrown studio brand, which is made by me in my workshop in south-west France. Ambit was launched only this year and I made the choice to concentrate on starting the collection with everpopular drink-ware. Early next year will see the collection extended to include a versatile bowl and two jugs.
Spotlight on…
Polish Porcelain Factories
Since 1790 Polish Porcelain Factories (PPF) Ćmielów and Chodzież Inc. have been operating continuously in Ćmielów. With three brands – Ćmielów, Chodzież and Ćmielów Design Studio – each with its own history and character, the one continuum between the brands is the quality of the thinnedwall porcelain.
For 232 years, Ćmielów has fostered the tradition of porcelain production creating unique products and putting emphasis on the artistry of handmade and hand-decorated processes.
This year – 2022 – the Chodzież's brand celebrates its 170th anniversary. The PPF belongs to Polish Porcelain Group which combines Ćmielów and Chodzież Inc. with ZPS Lubiana Inc. The idea behind its establishment in July 2018 was to improve accessibility of high-quality products with multi-generational traditions. As a group which combines tradition with modernity, PPG stands out not only with excellent designs and quality, but also with efficiency in its work and modern systems facilitating cooperation with the dynamically changing market. Visit porcelana.pl to learn more.
Excellence celebrated
Zwiesel Glas's head of marketing, product and communications Michael Eichinger and team lead brand and product management Lisa Müller receiving the German Brand Award 2022. The glassmaker won for the 150 years of Zwiesel Glas campaign and again for the accompanying anniversary film.
