De'Longhi S.p.A. - Introduction

Introduction

Via Ludovico Seitz 47
Treviso
I-31100 TV
Italy
Telephone: ( +39) 0422 4131
Fax: ( +39) 0422 413652
Web site: http://www.delonghi.it

Public Company
Incorporated: 1903
Employees: 5,870
Sales: EUR 1.28 billion ($1.54 billion)(2003) Stock Exchanges: Milan Ticker Symbol: DLG
NAIC: 333415 Air Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing; 333414 Heating Equipment (Except Electric and Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing; 335221 Household Cooking Appliance Manufacturing; 335224 Household Laundry Equipment Manufacturing

Multi-faceted De'Longhi S.p.A. is a world-leading manufacturer of domestic appliances. Historically a major producer of portable heaters and air-conditioners, the company has expanded to include nearly every category of small domestic appliances in the food preparation and cooking, as well as household cleaning and ironing, segments. The company's products include microwave ovens—De'Longhi is one of Europe's largest manufacturers of microwave ovens under its own brands names and as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) supplier—as well as table-top and built-in electric and gas ovens, coffee machines, indoor grills, food processors, irons, and vacuum cleaners and other floor care products. In addition to its small domestic appliance production, De'Longhi also designs and manufactures central heating and air conditioning systems for the home, institutional, and industrial sectors. Brands under the company's stable include De'Longhi, Kenwood, Ariete, Elba, Radel, Simac, Supercalor, Superclima, Ariagel, Climaveneta, and Vetrella. Acquisition has played an important part of the group's growth, notably with the purchase of U.K.-based Kenwood in 2001. That acquisition also enabled the company to shift part of its production to Kenwood's manufacturing site in China. In all, De'Longhi operates 13 production facilities and 30 international subsidiaries supporting sales to 75 countries worldwide. International sales account for nearly 75 percent of the group's total revenues, which topped EUR 1.25 billion ($1.5 billion) in 2003. De'Longhi has been listed on the Milan Stock Exchange since 2001. Guiseppe De'Longhi has led the company since the mid-1970s.