Right up the wall

The recent Domotex fair in Hanover is where this well-established company launched its new, multi-functional "FN deco-shelf" system (patent pending). This system makes it possible not only to apply any type of flooring to the walls, but also to make it into a functional asset. This stems from the fact that, apart from the aluminium profiles for the perimeter edge, it also features special tracks to which can be attached a great number of accessories. These include hooks and shelves for hall-stands, various boards that function as shelves for the office, CD storage modules or a special audiovisual shelf. The programme also includes hanging rails and roll fixtures for the kitchen, and holders for tooth-glasses and other objects in the bathroom. The design of these accessories is totally geared to international product trends. "The move is currently away from curves and towards more angular shapes," says managing director Franz Neuhofer jun. He attaches great importance to offering his customers a marketable product. Here the flexibility is right - all types of flooring can be used, from parquet and laminate through to cork and linoleum, as well as tiles - and the price is right too. "Marketable" could well be the key word used by Neuhofer to introduce the manufacturer's second major innovation for the new season. This will allow the company to remain within its traditional field of profile systems, while developing a design process that has so far scarcely been competitive because the costs were too high: the creation of profiles with individual patterns, reproductions or logos, etc, has become a marketable possibility because the foil can now be produced in-house by means of digital printing technology. For instance, the pattern of textile, linoleum or PVC flooring can be copied on a large-format scanner, then sent on as a picture file to the print line including the lacquering works. The great plus factor is the rapid reaction time: where previously several weeks were needed to produce such a customized order, a sample can nowadays be ready within 48 hours.
Neuhofer Holz.... ...remained only just below its 2008 turnover of € 41.4 mio in the recently completed financial year. Managing director Franz Neuhofer jun. expects 2010 to bring a slight upwards trend. Sales through DIY stores, which account for around one third of the company?s turnover, have proved to be the most stable area. Recent results show that 86 per cent of turnover came from exports to…