The good prospects are based on the all-embracing ... - ALNO AG

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sinGLE-Entity and GRoup manaGEmEnt REpoRt | EConomiC REpoRt
A traditional product with a modern interpretation, ALNO-
CLASSIC links tradition and modernity. Presented at the
company exhibition in autumn 2011, the kitchen in countryhouse
style is designed to please all generations and
combines state-of-the-art technology with solid oak and
timeless glass surfaces.
<strong>The</strong> Group's entry-level price segment, the PINO kitchen,
was also developed further in the period under review.
Since 2011 PINO offers low-cost knock-down kitchens
in additional modern colours especially for young people
who <strong>are</strong> increasingly following this trend towards more
daring and fresher colours when furnishing their homes.
Together with the trend colours cashmere, pink, red and
blue, the high-gloss foil-wrapped design in particular creates
fashionable highlights.
<strong>The</strong> IMPULS brand has also enlarged its range of colours.
Despite this, however, speed remains the focus of attention
for IMPULS. Germany's fastest kitchen is ready for use
within a few days. This kitchen consequently reflects the
increasing mobility and short-lived character of our society.
Since no more than ten working days lie between receiving
the customer's order and installation of the kitchen, there
is no longer any reason for not moving to a new address
at short notice.
<strong>The</strong> new Wellmann range was also launched in the financial
year 2011 and enlarged to include 25 new front colours.
In this way, the Wellmann kitchens make for even greater
flexibility when planning a kitchen. As before, WELLMANN
focuses on simple, classical modern, individual elegance.
Production
PfulleNdorf
During the financial year 2011, the management began
to establish new structures to optimize competences and
costs at the four production facilities in Germany, with the
aim of further increasing the real net output ratio and quality.
A clear commitment to the Pfullendorf location was a first
step in this direction. By establishing a production line for
glass fronts here, the ALNO Group has decisively improved
its manufacturing competence in this sector.
Fronts finished with a glass or ceramic surface <strong>are</strong> produced
on this new line. <strong>The</strong> glass or ceramic panels <strong>are</strong>
cut to size from larger panels on a CNC cutting table,
either individually or in series, and subsequently ground
and polished together with the substrate. This knowhow
and flexibility in producing standard carcase parts
(special surface, cutting to size, flexible manufacture of
parts) allows ALNO to meet individual customers' wishes
more effectively; they <strong>are</strong> also essential for the competent
manufacture of brand-related products.
In addition to glass production, the company also invested
in a new packaging machine for small items and a new
worktop saw for the Pfullendorf plant in 2011. <strong>The</strong> internal
value-adding processes for such components as glass,
lacquer or ceramic fronts meeting the ALNO brand's
claim <strong>are</strong> also to be developed further and expanded at
the Pfullendorf location. A "centre of lacquer competence"
for the ALNO Group is to be established at the Pfullendorf
location.
eNGer
A new WELLMANN product range <strong>based</strong> on the new 13
centimetre grid size was introduced at the Enger location
at the start of 2011. <strong>The</strong> ALNO and WELLMANN ranges
consequently use the same grid size. For production and
logistics, this changeover posed a considerable challenge,
as two product ranges had to be manufactured in parallel.
<strong>The</strong> materials for the old product range were completely
removed from the production process at the end of 2011/
start of 2012. This means that the "old" WELLMANN is
now only available for handling complaints. From 2012
onwards, production in Enger will concentrate exclusively
on the new product range. <strong>The</strong> new grid and gap size used
by WELLMANN allows modern kitchens to be planned
functionally and ergonomically in future.
In the financial year 2011, the company invested in a new
CNC drilling and assembly line for order-<strong>based</strong> production
of kitchen furniture fronts in order to meet with ever higher
individual requirements for the new Wellmann range. A
new automatic drilling and dowelling machine for carcase
elements was also commissioned in summer 2011.
Further investments were also made in the final assembly
<strong>are</strong>a, in the form of a new assembly line for wall units.
With all-automatic press-bonding of the carcase parts
and robots to fit the wall unit fixtures, this line represents
the latest state-of-the-art and will ensure high-quality
manufacture. Plinths and wall units have additionally been
packed in high-quality cartons since the end of 2011/start
of 2012.