In 2006, Arctic Gaesti estimates total sales to reach 180-185 million euros, of which refrigerator exports will amount to 75 million euros, the company''s marketing and sales manager Monica Iavorschi said yesterday.
"For Artic, 2005 meant exceeding 100 million euros in sales. The company''s business amounted to 150 million euros, of which the domestic market contributed 100 million euros," Iavorschi told a news conference.
Refrigerators made by Arctic are sold in 30 countries, including France, Poland, Germany, Spain, UK, Austria and Greece. The company in 2005 exported 480,000 refrigerators, an increase of 15% on the previous year.
Sales for 2005 include deliveries of Arctic and Beko refrigerators assembled in Gaesti and other home appliances (washing machines, televisions, cookers, hoods), manufactured in the facilities of the Arcelik Group (Turkey), the majority shareholder of the Romanian company.
Company officials say Arctic accounts for 30% of the domestic home appliances market, evaluated at 1.5 million units last year. In terms of value the market amounted to 350 million euros, down about 5% from 2004.
Arctic controls about 45% of the refrigerator market, 20% of the washing machine and cooker segment, while televisions sales cover 10% of the market.
"The home appliances market is a mature and a very dynamic market in terms of distribution channels, consumers and services. We estimate the market in 2006 will continue at the same level as in 2005, and that more and more consumers will go for more sophisticated products," Iavorschi said.
She added that niche products such as washing machines, built-in appliances and dryers will see a significant annual increase, some 25%-30% compared with a 3-5% increase on the markets of refrigerators, cookers and washing machines, where the percentage of people who already have such products exceeds 90% for refrigerators and cookers and 60% for washing machines.
According to Arctic''s general manager Ugur Kayali, the company invested approximately 10 million euros in boosting production capacity, in expanding the product range, retooling, infrastructure, storage and IT.
"Investments made since Arcelik acquired control of Arctic in 2002 amount to 25 million euros, and that includes the 2005 figures. The budget stands at 9.3-9.5 million euros for this year, with the funds designated to the same areas as in 2005," Kayali said.
In 2005, Arctic completed work on a new manufacturing line, wherein it invested 5 million euros. The total capacity of the factory in Gaesti went up by 20% to 900,000 units a year.
Arctic is part of the Arcelik Group, one of the top five home appliances manufacturers in Europe. The company was established in 1968 and made its first refrigerator in 1970. It has more than 1,500 employees.
Arctic Gaesti
* Expects this year''s sales to reach 180-185 million euros
* Turnover in 2005 stood at 150 million euros, 100 million euros of which were grossed on the domestic market
* Products sold include refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, cookers and hoods, both Arctic and Beko-branded.
* Sells its refrigerators in 30 countries
* Estimates to account for 30% of the domestic home appliances market
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