PDF, 1.2 MB - Pfleiderer AG

17 %
19 % 35%
29%
■ Industry
■ Export
■ Special Trade
■ Interior Design/Thermopal
Customer segments, Germany
management report segment report pfleiderer ag 27
As a matter of practice, all production processes are continuously monitored to see
where improvements can be made or processes rationalized. Due to the high level of automation
already in use, no further major rationalization measures in wood-based panel production
were made. However, ways of better utilizing resources during production are constantly being
examined and optimized. In particular, this involves the use of new, lighter materials such
as core papers, more economic use of the raw material wood, as well as higher processing
speeds.
The introduction of a production and logistics network in 2003 resulted in shifting manufacturing,
coating and cutting operations, particularly at the Gütersloh site. The aim was to
achieve optimal utilization of all plants, bearing in mind their respective production costs, as
well as to maintain uniform standards. By setting up central warehouses in Germany, all types
of products can be delivered to customers at short notice via the shortest transport routes.
Quality Management
Production at Pfleiderer Wood-Based is certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001. An annual
technical audit was carried out in all areas of production, with no serious non-compliances
determined in 2002. A product origin control system was introduced at the Polish locations.
This system monitors product origin, with the benefit to customers of acting as an indicator
with regard to quality standards.
Technical reject levels came to around 0.20 percent for raw particleboard and 0.24 percent
for direct-coated products. This is a low long-term level in both product areas.
Sales/Orders on Hand
Industrial buyers, particularly the furniture industry, account for around 35 percent of sales
and are the largest group of customers for Pfleiderer Wood-Based Panels in Germany. With
sales of around 19.4 billion euros, Germany is the biggest furniture market in western Europe,
followed by Italy (11.6 billion euros) and the U.K. (9.6 billion euros). The current weak state of
the furniture and building sectors has weakened demand for particleboard in Germany. Already
facing further concentration and earnings difficulties, these sectors are currently suffering
from low consumer demand. As a result, the German furniture industry had to record a downturn
in sales of around 2.7 percent in 2001. According to the VdDK, the umbrella organization
of the leading German kitchen furniture manufacturers, sales in the first ten months of 2002
declined by a further 10 percent to around 16.9 billion euros. For the full year 2002, the VdDK
expects sales to drop by a further 8 percent.
Kitchen furniture manufacturers, the most important group of customers for Pfleiderer
products within the furniture sector, reported a decline in sales of 7.2 percent, to 3.2 billion
euros in the first eleven months of 2002. The fact that the number of plants producing kitchen
furniture has dropped by 11.7 percent is evidence enough of the state of the kitchen furniture
industry.
Pfleiderer accounts for 29 percent of its wood-based product sales through exports,
particularly to the Benelux countries, the U.K., France, Denmark and Austria. The specialist
wood trade is the second biggest buyer of Pfleiderer wood-based products, accounting for
around 17 percent of sales. This segment, too, has experienced a fall in sales of around 6 percent
to 9.4 billion euros.