This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Zehnder desembarca a España

Zehnder Group is a family of Swiss origin, provides energy-efficient solutions

Zehnder landed at Spain

Drafting Interempresas10/11/2010

November 10, 2010

Family businesses have an advantage over the rest, and it is that they can take risky decisions while shareholders rise through the walls. For a Swiss company, start from scratch in Spain with the acute crisis may pose a risk. But in Zehnder they have chosen to offer their products and expand its roster of clients with our country, which joined those of China, United States, Canada and much of Europe as well.

The brand Swiss Zehnder was presented on 21 October at the hotel Ritz in Madrid to show its solutions for heating and ventilation of comfort. With over 3,000 employees worldwide and trading on the stock exchange since 1986, Zehnder Group obtained global 437 million euros sales last year.

This group, with 115 years of history, began as a bicycle factory and evolved into the development and manufacture of solutions of climate inland, reaching patented the tubular radiator. After sustained growth and diversification of its business, in 2000 he decided to focus on the integration of the home comfort. Currently, the company has three specific objectives: the comfort, health and energy efficiency.

José Ramón Ferrer, director of Zehnder Group in Spain, during his appearance before the media.

The products associated with these solutions are radiators of design, radiant ceilings for heat and cold, ventilation of comfort and air treatment systems. For its facilities in Spain, Zehnder Group foresees an investment of EUR 4.5 million in the next three years. In this way, starts its activity in our business as a subsidiary country with two ranges of products: radiators of high-end and comfort ventilation.

Spain, a market of the future

Spain, as well as in the rest of Europe, the demand for energy-sustainable comfort solutions will play an important role from now on. "Constructive standards must be based on low energy consumption buildings", commented José Ramón Ferrer, director of Zehnder Group in Spain, during his presentation. "Will demand homes comfortable, healthy and sustainable," he added.

Zehnder Group premiered in our country providing its solutions of comfort in the home

Zehnder, the reference is the German market. It's a mature market that reflects well the future of other countries, including Spain. In solutions of comfort, particularly in ventilation systems, Germany since 2006 has a significant growth, going from 40,000 units installed that year, the 80,000 2010. The forecast for 2012 is 100,000 units.

According to Ferrer, so far, the housing bubble in our country has boosted the sale of radiators of low range (aluminium). And this is so for two reasons: on the one hand, lower prices and ease of transportation and installation of these radiators and, on the other hand, consumers have preferred to invest in new housing rather than rehabilitate, thanks mostly to financing facilities.

These differences between Spain and the rest of Western Europe are backed by the data. In 2009, even in midst of crisis, 47% of the Spanish market of radiators corresponded to new housing, when in Europe this market only accounted for 26 per cent. In rehabilitation, Spain installed a 30 per cent of radiators and in Europe 56%. All European countries, only Portugal has in rehabilitation a market of radiators below our country (14.5%). The first is Sweden with a 74.5%.

Hotel Ritz Madrid served as stage for the press conference of Zehnder.

The forecasts are that the market suffers a fall of 30% compared to 2005, being the main affected aluminium, whereas since the company expected that the towel radiators are a progressive rise. Spanish market suffered a sharp, 67% decline connection 2005. Just as in Europe, it descends the tendency of the sale of aluminium radiators between 2005 and 2009, while growing the towel radiators.

José Ramón Ferrer wanted to make it clear that "the growth potential is huge in Spain", especially when we speak of radiators to measure or design such as that proposed to Zehnder Group. On the other hand, the fact of belonging to a family group, allows to make long-term strategies, without pressure for immediate results. However, since the group is expected to Spain be a market on the rise, taking into account the potential for growth that our country has.