Global furniture fittings major Hettich group has clocked €1.1 billion turnovers in 2019, an increase of 3.2% over 2018. The company generated 72% of its sales from overseas market. It invested over € 100 million worldwide last year. Also, the company is betting big on its “innovative” product platforms: the AvanTech YOU drawer platform and TopLine XL sliding door system, as well as speeding up digitalisation eyeing carpenters and retailers.
“In view of widely varying business trends in the world’s markets, the new sales hike is hugely significant. Our dedicated team, working hand-in-hand with our customers and suppliers, has once again broken the €1 billion sales mark. We managed to achieve a further increase in 2019 because we strictly serve the needs of different markets and the entire Hettich team pulls together worldwide”, Sascha Gross, managing director, Hettich Holding said.
Outlining investments, Gross said that in 2019, “The Hettich Group once again invested around 10% of its annual turnover in the future. The investment focus, for example, was on the innovative AvanTech YOU drawer platform and on expanding production capacities in and for Asia’s growing markets – a further production facility with floor space of 28,000 sqm has just been opened in India at the Indore operating base.”
He also highlighted that sustainability and social responsibility have always been part of corporate philosophy in the company and, “typically”, these principles are also “firmly embedded” in working with customers.
“This starts with sustainable management as a fourth-generation family-run business and extends through to energy and resource efficiency in production, as well as the reusability of shipment packaging. We have been committed to the exacting requirements of the EMAS regulation since 1997. In 2019 too, the Kirchlengern/Bünde operation once again passed the external EMAS audit, extending the EU eco-management seal of approval.”
Informing the company’s product rollout, Gross said that the company is expected to receive further “impetus” from the latest product developments in drawers and sliding door systems in the current year. This spells out marketing of the “innovative” AvanTech YOU drawer platform that is set to start in the spring. “The product platform allows customised drawer design with an impressive slimline, purist design that completely manages without any visible screw heads or cover caps. Thanks to the platform principle, the product is very easily matched in colour, shape and material to the specific needs and expectations of buyers.”
Also, Gross sounded upbeat about the prospects of the company’s TopLine XL sliding door system designed for large and heavy door panels. This all begins with simple installation: even large format door panels can be set down on the floor without the risk of damaging the bottom fittings, quickly hung and easily adjusted. “In addition to generously proportioned wardrobe design, the focus for the user is on sliding pleasure with TopLine XL, doors weighing up to 100 kg move gently and with effortless ease.”
The company’s managing director is also betting big on digitalisation. “The extended digital line-up is also reason to sit up and take note: Hettich has significantly broadened its e-services and can now assist its partners even more efficiently from the initial idea to product procurement and from planning to furniture assembly and installation. From the newly-designed furniture fittings & applications catalogue, QR codes take straight to the relevant e-services on the Hettich website. When it comes to ordering, the customer will in future find all products and useful sources of information in the brand new ‘Hettich eShop’ – needless to say, from mobile devices too. The modern online tools will make the work of carpenters and retailers even faster and more efficient.”
