 In a recent letter to shareholders, Villeroy & Boch announced an 11% improvement in operating results, while maintaining a stable sales level during the past year. Stating that "...we benefited from the rigorous continuation of cost management as well as productivity improvements, optimization of the product and country mix of the goods sold, and downstream effects from the master plan we adopted in 2009. Taken together, these resulted in an improved gross margin." Frank Goring, Chairman of The Management Board stated that while Villeroy & Boch generated a sound operating result in 2012, it happened in a very challenging market environment. And, despite all the growth opportunities in the new markets, the home market of Europe remains the backbone of Villeroy & Boch. Ultimately, this is where Villeroy & Boch earns the money that enables investments in other regions, according to Mr. Goring's letter. You can read the entire letter to Villeroy & Boch shareholders by going here: http://www.villeroy-boch.com/en/us/home/the-company/investor-relations/annual-report-2012/to-our-shareholders.html
There are lots of choices when it comes to white plates for your restaurant. But few have the style and overall aesthetic of Villeroy & Boch's STELLA HOTEL.
The round forms of Villeroy & Boch's STELLA HOTEL make a particularly delicate and fine impression, thereby making STELLA HOTEL suitable for a wide range of occasions, whether breakfast, dinner, lunch or tea. The collection stands for the highest level of fine dining, providing the perfect stage for ambitious gourmet inspirations. Culinary creations are transformed into a feast for the eye as well as the palate. |
Villeroy & Boch has been providing style to tabletops around the world for over 250 years.
| The classic design concept of the series has now been revitalized with new items having been added. With four new plate forms that play with various interior base designs, STELLA HOTEL offers even more options for high-quality serving and presentation. The new coffee and tea pieces are also enlivening with the gentle curves of the pot, cups, jug and sugar bowl bringing an elegantly sensuous feel to the fine aesthetic of the collection.
Villeroy & Boch's STELLA HOTEL is versatile and delicate – so it’s perfect for all kinds of occasions. From breakfast to dinner, lunch to coffee – the fine “Premium Bone Porcelain” brings harmony into every situation!
Villeroy & Boch's Hotel and Restaurant Division has introduced its newest range at the just-completed Hospitality Show in the U.K. New ‘AFFINITY‘ is, of course, stackable, space-saving, durable and attractively priced. But that’s not all this tableware has to offer. V&B will show that there is a multiplicity of ways to combine the 70 different items in the AFFINITY collection. A clever selection of tableware items is often all you need to showcase new culinary styles - and that is what new AFFINITY offers. That is the new message of functionality from Villeroy & Boch – experience oriented and efficient.And, it might be at large-scale culinary events that‘AFFINITY‘ can really showcase its assets. Cool design in versatile white and professional features Villeroy & Boch's Premium Porcelain impressively combines both virtues. For perfect performance, not just in the spotlight, but also behind the scenes. | |
 In the first three quarters of 2012, the Villeroy & Boch Group generated net revenue of €543.3 million after €551.3 million in the same period of the previous year. Global economic development slowed significantly in the period under review. The important euro zone markets for Villeroy & Boch are in a recession. Company and consumer confidence has again deteriorated dramatically over recent months as a result of the debt crisis and the continued fragile situation in the European banking sector. Germany, which has seen largely positive development to date, is also suffering from this loss of confidence. Net revenue on the German market was down 3% year-on-year at €147.6 million. In the same period of the previous year, the Tableware Division achieved a profit from a major order; no similar extraordinary project is planned for this year. Adjusted for this extraordinary transaction, revenue in the third quarter of 2012 was 2.5% higher than in the previous year. Revenue outside Germany was down slightly year-on-year at €395.7 million (‑1%). This was due in particular to the lower revenue in the Bathroom and Wellness Division in Mexico, with the sale of the plant in Saltillo also representing Villeroy & Boch’s targeted withdrawal from low-margin project business. The Tableware Division generated revenue of €187.4 million in the period from January to September 2012, down 4% on the previous year. The year-on-year decline in revenue of 11% in Germany in the first half of 2012 was almost fully recovered. There was further revenue growth in Russia (+36%), Austria (+22%) and the USA (+8%). Market development in Australia remains difficult (-7%). To read the entire release, go here: http://www.villeroy-boch.com/en/amo/home/the-company/press/press-releases/latest-news/single-news.html?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=2875&cHash=66106a5d8feb293f21b13ab248788bb9
Villeroy & Boch CERA. A combination of natural lines, expressive forms, attractive design and a mix of porcelain and glass materials to create a gorgeously simple....and stunning, tabletop. Life is complicated. Isn't it nice when your tabletop isn't?
 From Villeroy & Boch's Hotel & Restaurant Division office comes word that the famous cooking competition Bocuse d’Or 2013 will be held on January 29-30, 2013 in Lyon, France. Since 1995, Villeroy & Boch, who is an official partner of the haute cuisine cooking event held every two years, provides the collector's item plate. Traditionally, an official souvenir plate and a promoting poster are designed by world renowned artist Alain Vavro. In 2013 again, a limited edition of a Villeroy & Boch gourmet plate will be launched. As the most spectacular series of Villeroy & Boch are regularly chosen for the event, this year's selection is the New Wave 25 cm round gourmet plate. The director of the Villeroy & Boch Hotel & Restaurant division as well as the Marketing team recently met with world renowned chef Paul Bocuse as well as with artist Alain Vavro in Lyon to review the design for the 2013 souvenir plate. The artistic theme will be fresh and colourful and a strong expression of the delight in cooking.
Villeroy & Boch's NEW WAVE LONDON series. A little bit retail....sure. A whole lot fun......absolutely. Enjoy your coffee.
 Villeroy & Boch Whisky glasses and an IL Mago platter designed by Adam Tihany for Villeroy & Boch The brand Villeroy and Boch has always exuded a certain...shall we say elan or distinctive elegance....and their whisky glasses are another reinforcement of this "pleasure of the senses" ideal. With an opportunity to enjoy my favorite spirits recently in V&B's handmade single malt glassware, how could I pass that up? Approaching this opportunity from two perspectives.... one, how might the beverage experience be elevated with this particular glassware? And two - where we might see this being utilized in a foodservice or hospitality setting? Rather than try to out-review the experts on the merits of this particular glass, we'd rather you heard from true professionals: Here's a great video from Whisky Connosr: http://www.connosr.com/videos/review-villeroy-and-boch-glasses/From Dramming.com:
"I was quite amazed of the overall performance of the Villeroy & Boch tumbler. It really shows its strength with a single grain. The good bourbon performance may well be related to this. Bourbon would classify under Scottish law as a single grain because it is made mostly from unmalted grains. But also for the other unpeated whisky types, the tumbler does surprisingly well." was the review from Dramming.com | TabletopJournal tastings proved that the shape and feel...along with the overall aesthetics of the Villeroy & Boch whisky glass definitely added to the drinking experience. Great "nosing"....felt perfect in the hand....rim has just the right feel against the lips....all very well done. But...with V&B did you expect anything different?
Then, the question of appropriate hospitality venues for this glass comes up. Where should someone expect to find this glass? | | Let's start with this.....great quality generally comes at a price. Villeroy and Boch's Whisky Glasses are no different. These are not your normal, "couple of bucks apiece" double old-fashioned tumblers....but, nor are they meant to be. This glass comes in both a stemmed version and a stemless version.....we preferred the stemless. So, whether you are at Lilly's in Louisville, KY serving a 23-year old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon ($42) or you happen to be on the lower East Side of NYC at Swift's serving a 25-year old Talisker Cask Strength Single Malt ($35) don't you want your guests to have the best whisky experience possible? Villeroy and Boch's glasses allow you to do just that..... For any old scotch or bourbon bar? No....but, then again, you're not serving just any old scotch or bourbon, now are you? Go ahead.....elevate your guest's whisky experience.
Ok....so they are not finding their way to the best tables in town....but don't think restaurant owners and managers are not picking things up here - they are. From wine glasses to candle votives - even bar supplies - smart operators are shopping IKEA. I don't think Villeroy & Boch, Wedgwood, Riedel or Sambonet need to worry just yet. But, for low-mid level tabletop items, IKEA is growing as a source. For those companies not adding value to the supply chain....you had better pay attention.
|
