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 Successful business year 2010/2011 for BlumInnovative products and positive developments on international markets again make the 2011/2011 business year a success for the company.Hoechst, Austria – 12 July 2011 The Blum Group achieved pleasing growth in the 2010/2011 financial year ended 30 June, 2011. The company was able to increase turnover by 12.1 to 1.166 million euros in comparison to the previous business year. This result exceeds that of Blum’s record year in 2007/2008. On average, 5,304 people were employed worldwide. 68 new apprentices will start their technical training at Blum (3 of whom will be at Blum USA) in September 2011. All in all, 260 apprentices will be serving an apprenticeship with the manufacturer of fittings from autumn. Market developmentsThere were very few markets that did not undergo a positive development last year. Above average growth was registered in Eastern Europe and Asia. Blum was pleased to record the first slight increase in three years in the USA, although the level is still clearly lower than it was before the real estate crisis. Another issue of the last business year was that more and more orders were placed at short notice. But Blum was able to deal with this challenge thanks to good cooperation and the combined efforts of all employees.Material prices on the riseSteel prices again rose sharply during the last business year. The forthcoming business year, however, will not only bring further increases in the price of steel but also in the price of plastic, zinc, packaging material and surface finishing.Investments in Austria and abroadA further building phase was completed at Plant 4 in Bregenz, Austria. The high bay warehouse at Plant 6 in Gaissau was remodelled to house a far greater number of pallets so that Blum is well equipped to meet future logistic requirements. Construction work has been started on an extension to Plant 3 (Engineering Centre) in Hoechst. This will provide more space for workshops, development and testing departments and testing labs. The new building will meet the latest environmental standards and will include a photovoltaic system.A new sales organisation is scheduled to be opened in Lviv in the Ukraine in summer. Another large-scale project was started in New Zealand, where new offices and a modern warehouse will help Blum’s subsidiary provide even better services to customers. Construction work was started on a warehouse extension at Blum Poland. Investments of the Blum Group totalled 85.5 million euros in the 2010/2011 business year. Committed to environmental protection for decadesBlum has always striven to minimise its environmental impact and use resources with care. Its environmental policy focuses on the following:
The company is currently implementing several environmentally-friendly projects. Solar energy will be used on a large scale for the first time to produce electricity and for production processes. The application of the latest lighting technologies with energy-saving lamps throughout the company has produced energy savings of 653,000 kwh/year and thus reduced CO2 emissions by 85 tons per year. Inspiring productsThe company continued to pursue its strategic goals and developed numerous new products and services in the 2010/2011 business year.Blum displayed a whole series of innovations which greatly appealed to trade show visitors at trendsetting interzum in Cologne. Innovations included a new box system with a straight-cut design and a new concealed runner system for wooden drawers. Both systems provide enhanced adjustment ease and top-quality motion. Aventos lift systems have been rounded off with an electric opening system, and Blum’s hinge with integrated soft close is now available for all applications. Further services have been added to the fields of Marketing and Logistics and adapted to market requirements. They are an integral part of Blum’s overall offering. Change to management teamThere was a change to Blum’s management team at the end of the 2010/2011 business year. Longstanding managing director Hubert Ploner retired on 30 June 2011. He had been a member of management, along with Herbert and Gerhard E. Blum, since 1997. He will continue to work in control bodies so that he will be at the company’s disposal in future.Looking ahead to the 2011/2012 business yearBlum’s experience gained from the crisis years has shown that special care must be taken when making forecasts. If the world economy does not suffer another international crisis, the fittings manufacturer is prudently optimistic about the forthcoming business year. Blum believes the greatest danger is the huge debts in many industrialised countries which leave little room for manoeuvre in the event of a new financial crisis. Blum is convinced that innovations and international market presence will help the company shape business positively so that it can continue to pursue its strategic goals.Facts and figures of the 2010/11 business year:
No. of employees as of 30 June 2011:
Apprentices (as of September 2011):
Investments:
  Blum’s management as of 1 July 2011: Herbert and Gerhard E. Blum  Longstanding managing director Hubert Ploner retired on 30 June 2011  Blum’s LEGRABOX is a new box system with a unique straight-cut design  MOVENTO, Blum’s new concealed runner system for wooden drawers and pull-outs excels in terms of running action and adjustment ease  Blum is committed to environmental protection – the new photovoltaic system for the new building at Plant 3 in Hoechst  A level has been added to the existing building to produce 1,600 sq. metres of additional office space at Plant 4 in Bregenz  Solar energy will be used at Plant 6 in Gaissau. As a first step, the energy will be used to heat epoxy coating processes Inquiries can be made to:Blum Press ServiceJulius Blum GmbH 6973 Hoechst, Austria Tel.: +43 5578 705-2320 Fax.: +43 5578 705-52320
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