JURA gains ground in international markets

Niederbuchsiten, 19 February 2013 – JURA has reported growth in international markets and two weak quarters in Germany and Switzerland over the past financial year. With a strong fourth quarter, a top product rating from Stiftung Warentest, a full product pipeline, a flourishing professional business and the implementation of Agenda 2020, the company is looking to the future with optimism.

In the last financial year JURA Elektroapparate AG saw double digit growth in many international markets. The five top growth markets were the UK (+44%), China (+38%), Canada (+32%), Russia (+22%) and Italy (+18%). The slight overall decline in sales of 0.9% to CHF 349 million was due to weak second and third quarters in the domestic Swiss market and in Germany. General Manager Emanuel Probst says: "The investments in opening up and developing new growth markets are paying off. We have gained ground in several countries and in this way we have cushioned some temporary weaknesses in our two largest markets." However, in the fourth quarter, the trend in these markets was positive.

*) provisional figures

Global coffee machine platform established
In 2011 JURA launched a new global product platform in the shape of the ENA Micro 9 One Touch, which was successfully introduced on the international markets. With 30’000 units sold, the growth in units for the ENA Micro platform stands at 92% of the previous year's level. The quality of the ultra-compact machine has not gone unnoticed: in December 2012 the German product testing organisation Stiftung Warentest named it the best product in a major test of coffee machines. JURA anticipates further growth in the current financial year on the back of these excellent results.

Super-premium class on the rise
Last year also saw the global launch of the new high-end GIGA platform. These high-quality automatic coffee machines have proved enormously popular in both the household and professional markets. JURA will shortly present a new model that sets new standards in speed. Expectations are high in the catering and conference sectors, as the time available during refreshment breaks is generally very short. This is where the JURA GIGA X8 with speed function scores high.

Loyalty to Swiss roots
In October 2012 JURA officially opened the new Global Support Center in Niederbuchsiten, a clear sign of its commitment to Switzerland. Some 11’000 visitors attended the open doors day of which the highlight was a 45-minute appearance by brand ambassador Roger Federer. The CHF 12 million new building is home to the international spare parts logistics service, the Trade Fairs & Events team and the world's first Professional Competence Center. New jobs have also been created in the Professional and Technology departments. In the previous year the size of the workforce at Niederbuchsiten grew by 12 to 282 jobs, including 25 trainees. JURA offers five different training opportunities in automation, business administration, media technology, logistics and mechanics.

Agenda 2020 brings JURA closer to the customer
In addition to innovative products from the Compact to the Professional line, it is above all the store concept that JURA hopes will deliver real progress. "We want to establish high-quality points of sale all over the world selling exclusively JURA products, including shops-in-shops and JURA stores," says Probst. "In markets like the US, Australia and Asia there are large distances to be overcome, so we make maximum use of the Internet. The JURA E-Store is an innovative tool that offers high-quality customer advice online and literally takes the brand to the customer's home." JURA is the first company in the world to offer customer advice by live video link in its E-Store. With just a click, customers can connect with an advisor in the online studio and watch a live, one-to-one demonstration of the product range.

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