Annual report - Sequana

BUSINESSESAntalisDelivering excellenceto our customersBalanced European coverage“Image is everything”Image was launched in the secondhalfof 2009 as Antalis’ new flagshipoffice brand. It will be launchedin 25 European countries and soldin a number of Asian marketsincluding Singapore, Malaysia,Thailand, Hong Kong and Chinato cover all office copying andprinting requirements:– Image Volume for high volumeprinting,– Image Business for day-to-dayuse,– Image Impact for quality colourprinting,– Image Impact Plus for superiorquality colour printing.Antalis has gone forstraightforward packagingand design so that customers caneasily understand and distinguishbetween each product.This environmentally-friendlybrand bolsters Antalis’ positionas leader in the office market.There has been a major shakeout inthe European paper distribution marketover the past ten years. Of the estimated30 million tonnes – half ofwhich passes through the hands ofthe distributors – 80% is handled bythe top five players.Antalis consolidated its position asEuropean market leader by acquiringMap (fourth largest paper distributor)in late 2007. It is present in 27 countries– market No.1 in twelve of them– and has reached critical mass inmost of its markets which enhancesits ability to spread risk as it demonstrated in 2009.The drop in volumes across all business segments ascustomers ran down inventories let up somewhat insecond-half 2009 in the Nordic countries, Germany andPoland, but demand remained sluggish in France, theUK and Spain.Antalis’ extensive geographic coverage can also be leveragedto forge partnerships with strategic suppliers and tooffer major international customers the same level of qualityin all countries.As part of Antalis’ strategy of developing an internationalproduct offering, the streamlining of the office brandportfolio in 2008 in the wake of the acquisition of Mapculminated in 2009 with the launch of the Image range.Showroom in Stockholm (Sweden).Sequana 24 2009 Annual report