Jakob von Wolff Image: (Gmundner Ceramics)
Sales rose by eight percent to "around nine million euros," said Managing Director Jakob von Wolff at a press briefing in Linz on Tuesday evening. In terms of earnings, a "six percent EBIT margin" was achieved. Wolff did not want to give more precise figures. According to this information, the operating result is likely to have been around 500,000 euros. "There's something left on the bottom line, anyway," Wolff said. The number of employees is also expected to increase by six. Gmundner Keramik currently employs 135 people, 90 of whom work in production.
The fact that Gmundner Keramik grew faster than the industry (up 2.8 percent) was due to a number of reasons, Wolff said. The image of the brand is getting better and better, he said. In these fast-moving times, he said, there is a return to traditional crafts from the region. This would suit Gmundner Keramik. One of the reasons for the increase in sales was the store opened in Vienna in the previous year. "The store has gotten off to a great start and is a 100 percent success," Wolff said. In addition to Gmunden and Salzburg (Getreidegasse), Vienna is now the third sales location. Wolff would not say whether there will be others. It is conceivable, however, if a corresponding opportunity arises. With the new product line "Pur Geflammt" (see photo), the company wants to get away from the "granny image". Gmundner Keramik has a very high recognition value, but is sometimes considered "old-fashioned" or "too cluttered," Wolff said. With "Pur Geflammt" they remain true to their roots, but at the same time they are "refreshingly new". Specifically, the new product line is also expected to increase sales by three to five percent this year. "That would be quite an achievement," Wolff said, given that the tableware market as a whole is saturated. (hn)