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Libbey announced 2nd Quarter results today stating the company had shown a 1.8 percent increase in their U.S. and Canada foodservice glassware channel, while sales to Syracuse China and World Tableware customers had a 13.4 percent increase in sales. Overall, sales for the quarter held steady at $209 million (vs. 2nd Qtr ’12) and net income increased to $12.4 million from a loss of $10.1 million in the second quarter of last year. "With six consecutive quarters of year-over-year improvement, we have demonstrated success in improving our cost structure, making productivity improvements, leveraging our advantaged businesses and strengthening our balance sheet. While capacity utilization will have an even greater impact during the third quarter as we continue to make progress in realigning our production in the Americas, we expect to see continued improvement in adjusted EBITDA and margins for the full-year 2013 as capacity utilization improves in the fourth quarter," stated Stephanie Streeter, Libbey’s CEO. You can learn more about Libbey’s results by going here: http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2013-07/27555036-libbey-inc-announces-record-second-quarter-2013-financial-results-008.htm To learn more about the wide range of products that Libbey produces for the foodservice and hospitality industry, go here: http://foodservice.libbey.com/
To learn more about the glassware collections from Oneida Foodservice, go here:http://foodservice.oneida.com/products/index2.cfm?pLineId=314
Sometimes.....when you're trying make just the right impression with your presentation.....you turn to color. When you turn to color....turn to Turgla. Using vibrant colors helps to elevate the artistic value of your presentation. With Turgla, you have access to a wide variety of colors and applications in glass and porcelain to help you create your own matchless plate design. To learn more about Turgla and wide assortment both glass and porcelain serving ideas for your tabletop or buffet, go here: http://www.turgla.com/
Villeroy & Boch announced interim results recently and sales and revenue across the company were reported to be down slightly versus the first half of the previous year. The Villeroy & Boch Group generated net revenue of €359.8 million in the first half of 2013, down 0.9 % on the previous year’s figure of €363.2 million. Net revenue on the German market was up 6.2 % year-on-year at €103.3 million. Revenue generated outside Germany amounted to €256.5 million (previous year: €265.9 million). The company reported that Villeroy & Boch’s Tableware Division generated revenue of €125.8 million in the reporting period from January to June 2013, and was therefore up €7.9 million or 6.7 % on the previous year. This positive development was driven in particular by the revenue growth of 18 % in Germany. Reasons for this included the good performance of new products such as “Mariefleur Gris” and “Cooking Elements”, the successful intensification of promotional and impulse business, and the opening of additional retail stores. Outside Germany, the markets of Eastern Europe (+24.3 %), Russia (+22.2 %), Switzerland (+12.6 %), Austria (+10.4 %) and the UK (+6.8 %) saw particularly strong revenue growth. The downturns in the first quarter of the current year were more than offset in Italy (+1.6 %) and almost offset in Spain (-0.7 %) in the second quarter. Lower revenue was recorded in Australia (-4.0 %) and France (-2.7 %). The company results showed what the company reported to be inconsistent development throughout the global economy in the first half of 2013. While there was a slight upturn in Asia, the United States and Germany, economic development in the euro zone markets that are important to Villeroy & Boch continued to deteriorate as a result of the unresolved sovereign debt crisis and the associated uncertainty concerning the financial policy of the countries affected. In Central Europe, the impact of adverse weather conditions also led to a slump in construction activity and a further slowdown in employment. To read the entire company release, go here: http://www.villeroy-boch.com/en/us/home/the-company/press/press-releases/latest-news/single-news.html?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=3031&cHash=99ba16830d0d3f6f72abca46888e1f6c To learn more about the wide array of products that Villeroy & Boch has for the hotel and restaurant industry, go here: http://www.villeroy-boch.com/en/us/hotel-restaurant.html
As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, Steelite International is setting up the Steelite Community Fund and has pledged to support deserving organizations within a five-mile radius of its headquarters in Middleport, Stoke-On-Trent according to local U.K. media reports. The food collection is the first of numerous initiatives planned by the 900-strong workforce, including a stunning Teacup and Candlelight Ball scheduled for October which it is hoped will raise tens of thousands of pounds for the community fund. Steelite Managing Director, Neil Hooper explain to local news : “Steelite International is one of the city’s leading employers and we recognize that we have a responsibility to support not only our own loyal employees but also the community where so many of them live. More than 60 per cent of our workforce lives within just five miles of our headquarters, so we want to support initiatives close to their hearts and activities which can really make a big difference to the lives of families right across the city. We have consulted with our employees and have selected four key areas where we believe we can make a difference: in the areas of youth aspiration and education; supporting the elderly; Community Regeneration and encouraging new ceramic entrepreneurs.” Steelite International has launched the fund with an initial £10,000 donation. To read the entire article, go here: http://6towns.co.uk/news/2013/07/food-bank-collection-kickstarts-new-community-fund-steelite-international#.Ue-tP42sii0 to learn more about the collection of tabletop products from Steelite for the hositality industry, go here: http://www.steelite.com/ Recently, Claude Peiffer, RAK Porcelain - Europe's Managing Director was interviewed by Luxembourg business publication www.paperjam.lu. RAK Porcelain is a division of RAK Ceramics, the world's largest ceramic manufacturer. Here is a translated version of that interview: Mr Peiffer, can you sum up RAK's history? “The company's name is an acronym of Ras Al Khaimah, one of the smallest members of the United Arab Emirates. The country does not have any oil reserves, and as of 1991 it focused on the production of ceramics, first with tiles and bathroom installations, and then starting the production of porcelain in 2005. The choice of this niche is particularly justified by the opportunity to import gas from Qatar, which is essential to power the firing kilns. Today the group employs 6,000 people, 450 of whom work in the field of porcelain.” Your group operates all around the world; what role does the Luxembourg office play? “With 32 staff, we play the role of headquarters for marketing and logistics for both Europe and Russia. We have a warehouse with a capacity of two million pieces, which the different orders are distributed from. We also have a supply of samples for our customers or prospects who want to try out our range. Our team includes logistics operators, a marketing manager and business managers. In terms of developing new products, we work from our Luxembourg headquarters, but also in cooperation with designers specialising in this field, who are spread all over Europe. The decision to establish the European headquarters in Luxembourg was also driven by the country's geographical position, as it's an ideal location to distribute our products.” So what is the positioning of your products? “Our customers are mainly B2B, operating in the hotel sector, which explains why we are not very well-known by the general public. We are considering developing sales to individuals via specialised shops. We're actually trying this out at the moment in France.” How do you do your canvassing? “We're more of an importer than a distributor. So we work with companies specialising in the distribution of hotel supplies who are, de facto, our biggest customers. Our largest market is France, followed by Spain and Germany. However we do have direct sales in Germany using six sales representatives there, for reasons specific to the German market.” Do you produce items according to chefs' requests or suggestions? “We do have the option to add a logo or a specific design in order for the porcelain to fit in with a concept. This type of production is of course subject to minimum volumes. As a general rule, technology has allowed us to move away from the traditional round shapes to more sophisticated designs. Increasingly, chefs are matching the porcelain with the dish they are going to present. So it's no longer rare for a chef to get their supplies from several producers.” There is a lot of competition from Asia in your niche. How do you set yourself apart from Chinese products, for example? “We can't win in terms of price. So we focus on both quality and the high-end segment. For us quality is synonymous with resistance to breakage and the resistance of the enamel over its period of use. Just like a car tyre whose wear depends on how the car is driven, porcelain's wear also depends on its usage. Another elementary focus for us is based on the customer service. Availability of products, quick deliveries are key to our success.
Has the use of porcelain by individuals changed over time?
“The way porcelain is used and the philosophy behind it, have indeed changed. In the past, wedding lists were mostly made up of porcelain items, but customs are different now. The bride and groom have often lived together for a while, and guests tend to give them something towards an exotic holiday instead. Conversely, recent culinary programmes have placed cooking and all the practical aspects of it back in the spotlight. So this promotion also works in favour of porcelain, and the general public is showing increased interest in it.” Your corporate image received an award at the 2013 Media Awards in the B2B category. How do you coordinate the brand? “We manage our corporate image, working with the communication agency Dechmann, with a sober image setting the tone. Our aim was and still is to give our products a coherent image throughout our different markets, be it Europe, the Middle East, America or Africa. Given that hotel managers, particularly in big chains, change roles during their career, it's important that they recognise the brand all over the world.” What prospects do you see for the restaurant market over the next few months? “The market is still dynamic, but we must recognise that the crisis has repercussions on consumer habits, particularly with regard to the high-end sector, which is currently suffering. We have noticed that top chefs mainly earn their money via their 'sideline activities' rather than their Michelin-starred establishments. The rising price of meals in restaurants, particularly in the high-end segment, is raising questions. The phenomenon is partly related to the increase of real estate prices in some big cities, and partly due to the sudden rise in the price of quality ingredients. This interview was reprinted from a published interview in In today's overheated world of 24-7 marketing hype, buyers of all types are seeking AUTHENTICITY in making their choices. Here are three great reasons to work to insure that your brand lives up to its promises.
Norwegian porcelain company Figgjo’s new SPINN stands out from other plates with its elevated point in the middle. It is well suited for soups and salads, and is extra exciting for the guest when the food is arranged using the point as a visible element in the presentation. Cool company. Cool products. Figgjo.
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