New concepts and many innovations

Europe is getting close to a recession and the economy in the USA is only recovering slowly. What effects did the less than satisfactory economic cycle have on the operating business of Rolf C. Hagen last year and at the start of this year? In 2011 our business in USA grew in the low single digits – with a very slow start and a strong finish. This has been extended into this year with a terrific first quarter – growth of over 25 per cent. We are very pleased. In Europe our UK and French operating units performed well, but our German business did not. Major changes have taken place and so far Germany is within budgeted sales growth, while our other companies are slightly negative. An interesting reversal… Hagen is described repeat­edly in the pet sector as a “sleep­ing giant”. Does that bother you? Not in the least! This is a compliment. We will focus on our strengths globally while we continue to renovate our Canadian model to a more flexible one (e.g. other brands). It is working already. I am not sure if this will ever make us a giant but we do expect to grow our business and improve margins. How is your company position­ing itself a few days before Interzoo? We are inviting our customers to our events – our traditional Thursday evening German Gasthof party and what we expect will be the largest corporate party at Interzoo, our private party on Friday night. We are arranging pre-Interzoo European retail tours for key partners, booking hotel rooms for our suppliers and customers, some of which left things to the last minute, and of course are preparing every last detail of product presentations and offers. We will be better organised this year than ever before. Give five reasons why your trading partners should visit the Hagen stand at Interzoo! Hospitality, transparency, passion, personal relationships and most of all product innovation. Last year restructuring measures were introduced especially in Germany to strengthen the market position of the subsidiary there. Have these already had a positive effect? Yes. Our domestic sales are performing just above budget and are reversing years of decline. We expect our new products and brand focus to further support this improvement. We are very happy with our management team. Relieved as well! Rolf C. Hagen has been working hard on the image of its brands in the last few months. What has been reformulated in general terms? “Fluval” is being line extended into consumables, lighting, and marine products all the…