Description
Saeco International Group ("Saeco") is today the leading European producer of espresso coffee machines for domestic use, with a market share in excess of 30 percent in value terms.
Traditionally specialized in the design, production and distribution of coffee machines for home and professional use, Saeco markets its output under the proprietary brands, "Saeco" and "Gaggia", while it also sells to leading producers of household appliances. The company also manufactures and sells automated vending machines for hot and cold beverages and snacks; climate-control systems and dehumidifiers (the "climate" line); and products for cleaning and pressing ("steam" line).
Saeco as it is structured today dates back to 1976 when Sergio Zappella teamed up with several investors to set up a small company, GSL, on the conviction of the potential, unexpressed demand for espresso coffee machines for home use. Thereafter, working in partnership with Swiss engineer, Arthur Schmed, several exclusive patents were realized that allowed for broadening the entire range of activity, while production was gradually extended across Europe thanks to a widespread direct and indirect distribution network set up in the individual target markets.
Ongoing attention to the needs of the consumer, a strong international orientation, and more importantly, total quality and technological excellence of the products are the cornerstones of the company's philosophy, and the factors which have led to the company's success over the years. As a result, the company has built a strong reputation and a highly competitive position in the global market of reference.
A reorganization of operations in 1999 led to the creation of the Saeco Group, which is headed by the parent company, Saeco International Group, with its head office in Gaggio Montano in the province of Bologna. The Group currently includes several international companies which form an efficient and broad-based network at the global level. Confirming the strong international orientation, the Group realized 74% of 1999 sales in markets outside of Italy. Furthermore, with its focus on the foreign markets, the Group has become highly sensitive to the specific needs of individual countries, while also developing expertise and efficiency in customer service and assistance.
With ever increasing demand for espresso coffee, particularly outside of Italy, Saeco stands apart from other equipment producers for its technological advantages and know-how, which have translated into the development and ownership of a series of important patents. Among these is the removable brewing unit which has revolutionized the way in which espresso coffee is made. By automating all of the phases of the preparation of the coffee - from grinding of the beans to the measuring of the coffee and the explusion of the used grinds - this unit not only makes the machine easy to use, but it also guarantees the precision of all of the variables - pressure, water temperature, measurement and granulometry - which are key to the preparation of perfect espresso coffee.
Capable of satisfying the needs of a range of users, the broad and diversified product line is the result of precise planning strategies, continuous technological innovation and attention to design.
The priority placed on research applied to product and process innovation has created important competitive advantages for Saeco: on the one hand, the Group's product portfolio is characterized by high qualitative standards and technologically advanced solutions; on the other hand, the automation of the production process and the standardization of the components used allow for economies of scale, high levels of flexibility and the capacity to adapt quickly to changes in demand. A high degree of vertical integration ensures the control over the quality of the individual components and over all the phases of the productive cycle.
The proforma consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 1999 drawn up following the Group's restructuring show revenues in excess of ITL 462 billion, with an increase of more than 11 percent over the previous year's revenues of ITL 415.6 billion. The semi-annual figures at 30 June 2000 show sales of ITL 283 billion, for an increase of 40 percent year on year. Some 77 percent of the sales realized in the first half of 2000 came from markets outside of Italy.
Products & Services
coffee machines,
automatic espresso
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