Villeroy & Boch: 32m-euro turnover in Lugoj

Sanitary ware manufacturer Mondial, held by the German group Villeroy & Boch posted a 32.4 million-euro turnover last year, up 25% against the level reached in 2005. The 2006 net profit was of 4.5 million euros, according to company information. Mondial's production centre is in Lugoj and employs around 1,000 people. From 1996 until the present, the German group has invested around 25 million euros in its Lugoj-based plant. For this year, the company plans to make investments of around 1.3 million euros, in order to improve its production process, as well as in marketing and promotional campaigns. The bulk of its products was exported (around 60%). Mondial was taken over in 1996 by German group Villeroy & Boch, which at the time acquired a 51% stake in the company, for 10 million euros. Cur rently, Villeroy & Boch holds 99.56% of Mondial. The company estimates it accounts for around 45% of the sanitary ware market.