Go-ahead for warehouse expansion in Pfungstadt, New, interactive Web site online
TAKKT division Topdeq lays the foundation for sustained growth
Stuttgart-based TAKKT AG, the leading business-to-business mail order supplier for office, factory and warehouse equipment in Europe and North America, has set a strategic course for sustained growth. The Stuttgart group's division, Topdeq, which supplies designer office furniture and accessories by mail order, is set to expand its Pfungstadt warehouse facility. An investment of some EUR 11 million has been earmarked for the project during 2002. In addition to expanding its warehouse, the German subsidiary has also launched an interactive Web site. "Topdeq and the TAKKT group will gain considerable benefits from both of these investments", said Georg Gayer, chairman of the management board of TAKKT AG.
Expansion and service assured
At the moment the central warehouse in Pfungstadt supplies the entire German market and delivers to the regional distribution centres in the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and the USA. Additional storage capacity had to be leased in 2000, as existing capacity could not cope with demand. "The growth in sales of our established subsidiaries and the success of our new operations in the US and France has made expansion of our central warehouse facility essential," explained Christopher Kunz, managing director of Topdeq Holding GmbH. "This investment in additional warehousing will enable us to maintain the standards of our unique delivery service."
By expanding its warehouse facility, Topdeq is keeping open its strategic options for further expansion in Europe. The 24 hour delivery service - "order today - delivered tomorrow" - will thus remain one of the pillars of the company's philosophy. "The fact that a decision has been made in favour of Pfungstadt", said Christopher Kunz, "is a clear commitment to our presence in Germany." The property is expected to be ready by the end of 2002.
Web site with new services
Topdeq Deutschland's new interactive web site at www.topdeq.de is a logical extension of the corporate strategy of establishing the internet as an additional distribution channel. Additional online services have now been incorporated into the web site. For example, with the offer "find-look-buy-mix" customers can now find fitting products and endless possible combinations for any article they would like to order.
All other Topdeq companies will gain an increasingly effective web presence as they gradually move over to the German interactive model. These investments will provide added stimulus to the group's online business. Even now, internet sales account for four percent of Topdeq's turnover - evidence that many of Topdeq customers are very comfortable with ordering online.
During the "New York Festivals", the most important international communication competitions, Topdeq's web site was once again awarded and won a bronze medal in the category of "E-commerce". In addition, the company was awarded a gold medal in the category of "product advertising" for its styleworlds-movie. All in all 6.500 contributions from 64 countries were considered in the competitions. The awards show very clearly that Topdeq and its continuous innovations also set standards in communication.
Topdeq Holding GmbH
Topdeq Holding GmbH is the specialist for designer business furniture and accessories among the mail order companies of the TAKKT group. Available through a print catalogue and through the internet, the company's products are developed by both established designers as well as younger, up and coming design talent. The product range is common to all countries and extends to some 2,000 items. Topdeq offers a 24-hour delivery service for all catalogue products. The Topdeq group has affiliated companies in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France and USA. In the year 2000 the group achieved a turnover of EUR 88.3 million.
Stuttgart, 15 June 2001
Contacts:
Georg Gayer
Phone +49 (0)7 11.50 01-239
Dr. Felix A. Zimmermann
Phone +49 (0)7 11.50 01-861