TAKKT expands on three continents
B2B mail order company continues international rollout of its system business
TAKKT AG will establish five new companies on three continents in the financial year 2005. The leading B2B mail order company for office, business and warehouse equipment in Europe and North America plans to enter the Chinese, Romanian, Turkish, Belgian and Canadian markets.
“The targeted expansion of our market presence is key to the success of TAKKT. We are rolling out our successful business model to regions which offer additional growth potential,” explains Georg Gayer, Chairman of the Management Board. “The five new companies ideally complement our portfolio in this respect.”
The basis for the expansion is provided by TAKKT AG’s sophisticated system business which can be transferred to other regions without major adjustment. For the new companies this implements the advantage of not having to start from scratch, but being able to largely use the existing infrastructure. They can take over a proven business model, a professional product range, tried and tested processes and marketing strategies as well as the comprehensive experience of the respective brand. This significantly reduces costs and risks of expansion.
At the same time TAKKT’s business benefits from a broader international base. This diversification improves the group’s ability to compensate for economic fluctuations in individual regions. Currently the company’s brands have a presence in over 20 countries worldwide.
Representative office in China
KAISER + KRAFT EUROPA opened a representative office in Shanghai in November 2004. A local company will be incorporated next year upon approval by the Chinese authorities. China is not only a sales market, but also an interesting procurement market. KAISER + KRAFT EUROPA and K + K America will in future increasingly source selected products from China – provided that they meet the group’s stringent quality standards.
KWESTO Romania
The KWESTO brand which focuses on Eastern Europe will expand to Romania where all the conditions for a successful B2B mail order business exist. The economy is growing and the country is looking for EU membership in 2008. Franz Vogel, Board member in charge of Sales at TAKKT AG: “KWESTO will be the first major B2B mail order company in Romania. We will thus be one of the pioneers that shape the market.” Mailing of the first catalogue is planned for May 2005.
KAISER + KRAFT Turkey
The Turkish economy is also growing at an above-average rate and foreign investment is constantly increasing. The new company located near Istanbul will market the most successful products from the KAISER + KRAFT range. In May 2005, it will mail its catalogues in Turkey’s most important economic region formed by the Istanbul/Izmir/Ankara triangle.
Topdeq Belgium
As in France and the Netherlands, exclusive designer products are also in great demand in Belgium. This is why Topdeq will establish a company in the greater Brussels area. Belgian customers can be served within 24 hours from the mail order centre in Pfungstadt, meaning that this will also result in better use of the group’s existing infrastructure. The first catalogue will probably be mailed in mid-2005.
Hubert Canada
Hubert has been sending catalogues to Canada since August 2001. Its unrivalled product range has enabled the US company to quickly reach the necessary sales threshold for establishing a location in Canada. By getting closer to customers Hubert can process orders faster and more efficiently and thereby tap this potential even better. The new company located in the greater Toronto area will use the existing infrastructure of Hubert USA.
Short profile of TAKKT AG
Represented in more than 20 countries, TAKKT AG is the number one B2B mail order company for office, business and warehouse equipment in Europe and North America. The group employs approximately 1,900 people and has more than 2.5 million customers worldwide.
The company is listed in the SDAX and was admitted to Deutsche Boerse’s Prime Standard on 1 January 2003.
Stuttgart, 13 December 2004
Contacts:
Georg Gayer, CEO
Phone +49 (0)7 11-3 46 58-201
Dr. Florian Funck, CFO
Phone +49 (0)7 11-3 46 58-207