The newsletter for customers, partners and business contacts of the Franke Group
October 2007
Franke international
Franke takes over Defy, South Africa’s leading manufacturer
of domestic kitchen appliances
Editorial
Major expansion of position on the African continent
Defy Appliances Limited, South Africa's largest and leading manufacturer of domestic kitchen appliances, with
a workforce of 3,000, has been part of the Franke Group since the beginning of August. This strategically
important acquisition underlines Franke's ambition to expand its presence in the burgeoning African market,
opening up further attractive prospects south of the Sahara.
Esteemed customers,
© christian sperka
I am delighted to welcome Defy Appliances Limited
of South Africa as a new member of the Franke family.
Defy is by far the largest producer and distributor of
domestic kitchen appliances in South Africa and other
countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Defy has large synergies with our activities to date in South Africa and is
an excellent fit with our expansion strategy.
Turnover was encouraging in 2007, although revenue
was below expectations as it was adversely affected
by steel price increases, much of which we had to absorb. We nevertheless made substantial investments
this year, upgrading production facilities, pursuing
expansion and improving our logistics capabilities.
Thank you for your valued attention.
"It was just a perfect match", says Wolfgang Kemmeling,
the Franke Group executive responsible for Kitchen
Systems, reflecting on the final takeover in August of
Defy Appliance Limited, South Africa's leading manufacturer of domestic appliances. There were clear
parallels both in the companies’ structures and above
all in the philosophy of both organizations, as quality,
innovation and reliability had always been the overriding considerations determining the actions of both
manufacturers.
Defy produces and sells stoves and ovens as well as
washing machines, refrigerators, freezers and extractor
hoods. This traditional company has just celebrated its
100th anniversary, and has a share in these product
markets of around 40% in South Africa.
Defy currently has a workforce of 3,000 – 600 just
in sales and service – with
a healthy profit of around
CHF 406 million in the
financial year ending
31 March 2007.
The extensive product range is produced in three large
works located in Durban, East London and Ladysmith
(South Africa). There are also nine company-owned
regional sales branches in South Africa and five other
sales outlets across the African continent.
Franke is no stranger to the South African kitchen
equipment market. The world market leader has been
operating its own sink production facility in Durban
very successfully since 1999, and has been active in
the water boiler market since 2005 (Water Heating
Systems) with its own production and sales in Midrand,
South Africa. A joint venture with the South African
Dawn-Group provides further scope for opening up
more markets in Africa.
Sincerely yours,
Michael Pieper
President & CEO Franke Group
Congratulations Alinghi
"Defy is the ideal complement to the Franke Group,
and is a strategically very important key investment for
Franke to form a base for expansion over the coming
years as a leading supplier of kitchen systems, both
in southern Africa and in the countries south of the
Sahara", explains Wolfgang Kemmerling.
The Defy production facility in Durban is one of three plants in South Africa.
Sharing a spirit of excellence –
determined to lead not to follow
Team Alinghi have defended the 32nd America’s Cup
in a final 5-2 score over Team New Zealand on July 3,
2007 in one of the most thrilling races seen during
the whole competition. Franke had Team Alinghi supported as a "Official Supplier". During the years 2006
and 2007 more than 500 enthusiastic Franke customers headed for Valencia, Spain, to follow the races.
Franke Kitchen Systems
New Eisinger Techno Line, with clean geometrical styling
Kitchen aesthetics in harmony with the architecture
With its straight minimalist design, the new built-in kitchens incorporate the spirit of the time, with its global
emphasis on clear, geometrical and aesthetic styling. Distinguished yet comfortable – high-grade yet easy-care.
André Rudolf, Product Manager at Eisinger, puts it this
way: "For us, design is not an end in itself, it is what
we do. For years we have been tracking trends in architecture and design and applying them to kitchen products. The new Techno Line is a case in point."
The exclusive design of this new range of sinks and
worktops is remarkable principally for its love of distinctive, expressive details. Such as the tight 5mm
radius emphasizing the stringent character of its lines
whilst remaining easy to clean – unlike sinks with
zero radius.
The other eye-catcher is the new square strainer basket
valves that ideally complement the new bowl geometry.
Then there is the new elegantly concealed and remarkably hygienic overflow valve – an innovation that
recently earned Eisinger one of the internationally
renowned Red Dot Design Awards 2007.
An extravagant selection of complete sink module
variants perfectly complements the new Techno Line
product range. These modules can be combined with
other Eisinger lines as desired – for example with the
Pure Line or Square Line sinks.
And for a kitchen environment with a unique and unmistakable character we recommend the new solid
stainless steel Techno Line worktops. Precision
designed to the millimetre, and perfectly fitted, that's
what makes dream kitchens come true.
New tap puts sink
in its best light
The new Franke entry-level export hit
Light plays an increasingly important role in the
modern kitchen. It has become a key design feature,
as well as lighting the spaces and work-surfaces.
Because light can make a room inviting, and if skilfully
deployed, can create the right atmosphere in the
kitchen of an evening.
The impulse behind the new "All in One" export concept was to develop a sink to delight customers everywhere,
that could be successfully marketed worldwide.
All in One: new sink with global career prospects
The global picture is that mainly low-cost sinks have
mass sales potential in most markets.
The new sink needed an attractive price and a timeless modern and functional design, able to satisfy differing customer desires and needs in different regions.
To make working conditions as efficient as possible,
the sink has a generous bowl and practical fittings,
such as a fixable cutting board, a functional tap with
a high spout, a dish rack and the built-in draining
bowl basket. Designed for quick and easy DIY installation, and of course all materials and workmanship of
the accustomed, reliable Franke quality.
By the beginning of August, everything was ready to
ship the first "All in One" complete "Galley" sink sets.
So light is the feature that has made the elegant new
Franke single-lever mixer tap from the Belaqua range
the object of attention. Fine LED lights are integrated in
the spout of this stylish new tap, creating a fascinating
light effect around the sink. One touch of the button
creates an interesting and relaxed working atmosphere,
as well as lighting up the working area. To make sure
there are no slugs in the lettuce!
The dealer is also issued with a complete marketing
pack to ensure the sink is successfully marketed. Posters, display stands, flyers and a video help to convey
the neat concept quickly to potential customers, and
to clinch the sale.
This reversible new sink set also gives the dealer an
attractive entry-level model in the range that is simple
and cost-effective to store – thanks to the practical
stacking boxes – and addresses a broad target group
without incurring installation costs. From singles
households to young families and holiday home
owners, for example.
An idea whose time has come.
Franke Foodservice Systems
New furniture store with proven Franke Foodservice Systems solution
The perfect equipment menu for IKEA restaurants
IKEA Switzerland opened its 7th and most unusual furniture store so far in St. Gallen on 26 September.
Once again, the equipment for the self-service restaurant comes from Franke Foodservice Systems.
service only, to offer customers inexpensive eating –
in the IKEA idiom. In the staff restaurant the workforce
of around 250 can choose from a varied and balanced
range of food. In the bistro, right beside the tills, IKEA
offers customers another refreshment opportunity – at
a pleasing price, as ever. To complete the picture, the
Swedish Shop offers a selection of traditional Swedish
takeaway specialities such as herring, crispbread and
meatballs.
Franke Foodservice Systems and IKEA have jointly
developed standardized equipment for each of these
areas, which is now supplied to twelve countries and
manufactured on three continents.
As part of a complex spanning the new FC St. Gallen
football stadium and a shopping centre with around
50 shops, IKEA has built a home furnishing store with
a floor area of 26,343 square metres, and a sales area
of 13,490 square metres with 22 tills. The "Minergy
Label" certified building has an area of 5,000 m2 of
solar cells on the roof.
The restaurant was planned and equipped jointly with
Franke Foodservice Systems. Although the building and
thus the restaurant space differed from the usual IKEA
layout, Christian Rudolph, head of IKEA FOOD Switzerland, created a kitchen that met IKEA’s international
standards in almost all respects, avoiding increased
costs for planning and for designing new furniture.
The Foodservice space is divided into four different
areas. The customer restaurant with 425 covers is self-
Franke Washroom Systems
State-of-the-art electronics for Franke Washroom Systems products
Touch-free: clean solutions for washrooms
Touch-free solutions provide convenience and hygiene in public sanitary facilities with high traffic levels. That
is why planners and operators are increasingly going for the touch-free option when fitting out institutional
sani-tary facilities. Franke Washroom Systems demonstrates its competence in this field too, with numerous
new developments.
Franke Washroom Systems offers a wide range of
touch-free fittings for optimum sanitary hygiene. The
sanitary solutions specialist supplies both sanitary
taps and stainless steel accessories with infra-red
proximity electronics. Various touch-free products
have been developed this year to match the XINOX®,
STRATOS and CHRONOS equipment ranges, products
such as soap dispensers, hand dryers and paper towel
dispensers. The infra-red sensor technology controls
the supply of soap, hot air and paper towels, so there
is no need for anyone to touch the accessories.
The electronic Protronic washing and urinal flushing
fittings also have touch-free water flow control. The
opto-electronic sensor technology has an integral
microchip for automatic, efficient water flow control.
The urinal flushes automatically after use, and users
can wash their hands afterwards without touching
the tap.
One design highlight in the touch-free washroom
is the "All-in-one" sanitary module. The system enables
various wash station combinations to be integrated
into the room-height installation modules, which can
be clad with stainless steel or glass. All control and
fitting components for water, soap and hot air can be
integrated into the modules if desired. The only visible
items are the wall outlets for water and soap, the hot
air outlet and the opto-electronic sensors.
Franke Coffee Systems
First Marché restaurant in Asia builds on successful format
Marché VivoCity Singapore:
Franke Sinfonia sets the tone with coffee
Barista –
the espresso machine maestro
Marché International opened its first own Marché™ market restaurant in Asia in March of this year.
Marché VivoCity is a Mövenpick Group enterprise located on the coast of the leisure island of Sentosa
in Singapore, driving the Group’s international expansion. The Franke Sinfonia is part of the team.
soup, grilled fish, bread and cake, and fresh pressed
juice. And the Franke Sinfonia is there again to provide
the best coffee. The same coffee machine has long
been in service with Marché™ in Switzerland, where it
has established its reputation with its high quality and
performance.
The operation in Asia builds on the same success
factors that have made Marché International the widely
acclaimed trendsetter in Europe. The products used are
of high quality, and market-fresh. The food is prepared
in the presence of the guests.
This Marché™ format is well received in Singapore too.
For example "Rösti", made of freshly boiled and peeled
potatoes, soon proved a hit, and now sells better than
in a Marché™ in Switzerland!
'Exotic made in Switzerland' operates in an area of 675
m2 in Singapore; five large market stalls with more
than ten stands offer classics such as pasta, vegetable,
McDonald’s Germany cultivates new target groups
Franke joins in celebration
of the 300th McCafé in Cologne
In August 2007 McDonald’s Germany opened its 300th McCafé in Cologne, integrated in a restaurant completely
redesigned both internally and externally. This new flagship outlet was duly inaugurated with a press conference
and a big launch party. Franke had good reason to join in the celebration, with Franke Sinfonia coffee machines
in service in all 300 McCafés.
Imprint
Published by
Franke Holding AG, CH-4663 Aarburg,
Tel. +41 (0)62 787 31 31, Fax +41 (0)62 787 30 37
www.franke.com
The barista (plural baristi (male) or bariste
(female)) is to coffee what the barkeeper is to
cocktails. He or she is an espresso machine
artist skilled in preparing and serving coffee.
"Barista" is the Italian word for bartender. The term
has been adopted in English, with a slight shift in
meaning. Whereas in Italy the barista serves drinks
of all kinds, in English the term barista relates to
people skilled in preparing and serving espressobased drinks – mainly in coffee shops. "Barista"
is a long-established term in the world of coffee,
and is gaining ground in common parlance. In
America for example, every third person knows
what the word means.
At least 1,000 guests daily enjoy the fresh cuisine à la
Marché™ in Singapore, even if it means queuing. After
all, you get to experience an unusual ambience for Singapore: a 500-year-old chalet from the Bernese
Oberland, a nostalgic cable car from Saas-Fee and lots
of photographs bringing Swiss mountain atmosphere to
Singapore.
The opening of the 300th
McCafé is another milestone for McDonald’s in
its shop-in-shop concept:
"We are aiming at continued growth with
McCafé in coming years,
cultivating new target
groups for McDonald’s",
says Bane Knezevic, CEO
of McDonald's Germany.
The two Franke Sinfonia
coffee machines, an important part of the concept and
tailored precisely to the requirements of McCafé, are to
be found in all 300 McCafés. The coffee is ground and
brewed fully automatically, but the milk is frothed by
hand. The steam tap incorporated in the Autosteam
function ensures consistent milk froth. A probe measures the temperature of the milk in the frothing
pitcher. As soon as the frothing milk reaches a certain
temperature, the steam supply switches off automatically, and the frothing process is complete.
Coffee drinks are tastefully decorated with the frothed milk.
Christin Grundmann winner of the first German McCafé Barista Contest
with the Franke Sinfonia.
The accomplished barista needs to know about
coffee blends, roasting, operating and maintaining
the espresso machines, frothing milk, etc, for
which training courses are available. The competent barista is ably supported by the Franke
Sinfonia and Evolution machines, both equipped
with automated milk
frothing, ideal for preparing the Latte Art
milk froth essential
for the perfect coffee.
This technical advance
ensures consistent
Latte Art quality, and
simplifies handling for
the barista, so he or
There are three basic
she can concentrate on
Latte Art techniques,
creating the perfect
pouring (illustrated),
drawing and carving.
cappuccino.
The final of the first German McCafé Barista Contest
was also held in the Franke Coffee Systems "Coffeerama" in Aarburg in spring of this year. Christin
Grundmann of Oldenburg conjured up an exotic
creation of her own with the Franke Sinfonia,
adding chocolate and chilli. She outshone all
2,000 McCafé Baristi with her professional knowledge and skill.
The opening of the 300th McCafé in Cologne was also
the premiere for Kraft Foods' exclusive 100% Arabica
espresso blend, bearing the quality seal of the Rainforest Alliance for sustainable production. The seal with
the green frog certifies that the beans come only from
farms that meet high social, ecological and economic
standards.
Chief editor Natascha Widmer, Elke Oelkuch
Franke Kitchen Systems Peter Gnehm, Angelika Schmidle
Franke Foodservice Systems Dirk Friedlein
Franke Washroom Systems Waltraud Rüf
Franke Coffee Systems Jeannine Zumstein