Milan, 10th February 2005 ““ 2004 was another year of growth in sales for Indesit Company. The preliminary figures for 2004 were reviewed today by the board of directors meeting in Milan. Sales stand at €3,175m, Ebit at €248m and profit before tax at €185m.
“For a year marked by fierce competition and instability in currencies and raw material costs,” said Vittorio Merloni, “and by the arrival of the new CEO Marco Milani half way through the year, I am satisfied with the results achieved and optimistic about the future”.
On the innovation front, one of the Company’s great strengths, a new Innovation and Technology department was created to develop research efforts across all the business areas, following guidelines issued in 2004 by the Innovation Committee.
On the production front, the Company will benefit from new plants reaching capacity ““ the washing plant in Russia, which came on line in April 2004, and the cooling plant in Poland, which came on line October 2004, while on May the cooking production was doubled.
Regarding products, over the coming months European markets will see the arrival of the new Ariston Extendia line (an 8.5 kg washing machine and a fridge with a low-energy consumption “bar” area) and Indesit’s On-Time line, with user-programmable wash cycles, and built-in line, Experience. (taken from Indesit Website) Further, from 2005 onwards, the name change will guarantee Indesit Company more effective recognizability at an international level, which will also strengthen its best known brand.