100 % FUTURE - ALNO

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V. PRODUCTS AND PRODUCTION
The ALNO Group develops, produces and sells high-quality products in the kitchen-related residential
environment. As part of “ALNO 2013”, a start was been made in the 2010 fiscal year to unify product
and production standards, and to improve production capacity utilization. The aim is to reduce
product and production complexity, and to improve cost structures through economies of scale in
purchasing and logistics.
Products
Important successes were achieved as part of “ALNO 2013” in the 2010 fiscal year. The number
of colors and fronts within the Group underwent further significant streamlining: ALNO reduced the
number of fronts to 238 across the four brands (2009: 268).
At the same time, ALNO AG presented numerous new and innovative products and concepts. For
example, the new WELLMANN product range was presented for the first time at the Eurocucina
(Milan) international kitchen furniture trade fair in April 2010. Compared with the old product range,
this product range is differentiated by its new construction, and the newly introduced vertical grid
based on the ALNO brand construction platform. The vertical grid offers a more orderly and a more
optically appealing joint alignment. For wholesalers and retailers, the adapted cupboard/vertical grid
also offers the advantage that the kitchen is easier to plan.
The Marecucina maritime design study, which is in the shape of a ship’s hull, and which was also
presented for the first time at Eurocucina, received a lot of attention from the media and consumers.
This concept stylefully combines elements such as sails, masts, ships’ storage areas, walnut surfaces
and decorative chrome inlays into the overall design. The rounded forms of the lower cupboards and
working surfaces are reminiscent of an elegant boat’s pantry, bridging the gap between vacations
and the everyday. The positive reactions prompted ALNO to further develop the Marecucina from a
design study to readiness for series production by the autumn. The Marecucina was then presented
in three variants at our annual in-house trade fair (ALNO Design Tour): a freestanding version, a
so-called L-form, and a classic row solution.
A modernized ALNO product range was also presented at the “ALNO Design Tour” in autumn 2010,
allowing expertise in glass kitchens for the premium segment to be deepened further.
In September 2010, ALNO announced a total of five new programs (ALNODUR, ALNOFINE,
ALNOVETRINA, ALNOSATINA and ALNOART Stoneglas) in 17 front designs for 2011. There were
also numerous expansions of existing programs. A total of eight new models, including ALNOPLAN,
ALNOLOOK and ALNOSILK, have been expanded with 12 front designs, and are available both
with matt glass, as well as with high gloss, and foil-coated.
The new WELLMANN product range forms the basis for a licensing agreement that was concluded
in the year under review with ESPRIT INTERNATIONAL Ltd. (“ESPRIT”). As a consequence, ALNO
AG has been a licensing partner of ESPRIT, and exclusive partner for the kitchens area, since
September 2010. ESPRIT-specific product attributes under the name “ESPRIT home” kitchens are
marketed on the basis of the WELLMANN kitchens brand in this context. The first kitchen of this
type was presented in January 2011 at the “Living Kitchen” International Kitchen Show in Cologne.
Significance events also included the comprehensive geographic launch of the 10-day kitchen from
the IMPULS product brand. After the successful realization of a six-month pilot operation with selected
customers, IMPULS kitchens have been available across the whole of Germany as so-called rapid
delivery kitchens since September 2010. This has allowed the ALNO Group to respond to changes
in customer requirements, and it is of the view that it can significantly improve service for customers.