INVESTMENT in the Peterborough-based headquarters has paid dividends for Hotpoint parent company Merloni Elettrodomestici.
The future looks promising for Hotpoint’s 1,500 employees in the city, following the announcement of a very strong set of financial results for the market leading home appliances group for 2003.
Last year was one of strong growth for the company, due to both the integration of Hotpoint in the UK, and to good sales performances in almost all markets, both West and East.
Marco Milani, the chief executive officer for the UK headquarters of Merloni, based in Peterborough, revealed that sales were up 21 per cent, and profits were up 19 per cent, before tax.
Next month Merloni will be unveiling a new brand position and identity for Hotpoint ““ with the launch of a new design washing machine, tumble dryer and washer/dryer.
Mr Milani told the Business Telegraph Review: “We are always investing in terms of product and manufacturing and invest in the region of £20 million in the UK every year.
“Many months ago we started redesigning the new identity of Hotpoint which is our most important brand. It’s not a big change in terms of value, Hotpoint is a reliable brand, but it needed refreshing, so we’ve designed a new logo and a new advertising communications campaign to run alongside, which we will be unveiling in London in March.”
He added: “We started investment in Peterborough two years ago and since then we haven’t stopped. These year end results can only be good news for Peterborough ““ it’s the headquarters of Merloni and the place where we will continue to make further investments. It’s the heart of the business for Merloni in the UK.
“We chose to locate our new contact centre here in Peterborough which will become fully operational in the next month or so. Ultimately it means the parent company for Hotpoint is doing very well thanks to the performance that we have in the UK.”
Recent research shows Hotpoint was identified as the fifth strongest brand in a UK survey where consumers were asked to name the top three consumer brands that they couldn’t live without.
From Peterborough Now