According to data presented by Keith McLoughlin (president and CEO of Electrolux), Electrolux’s results in Major Appliances EMEA continued to strengthen and the EBIT margin improved to 4.3% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to 1.8% a year ago. Earnings in Major Appliances Asia Pacific and Professional Products also increased. The operating income for Major Appliances North America was negative for the first quarter, mainly due to the challenges within refrigeration and freezers following new energy requirements. Operations in Latin America continued to perform well in a weakening market environment. The Group’s operating income amounted to SEK 516 million for the first quarter of 2015.
“A strong product mix, with focus on high-margin categories such as built-in kitchen products – Keith McLoughlin has explained – contributed to a positive organic growth in Major Appliances EMEA. In parallel, the cost-savings programs previously initiated impacted earnings positively. Overall market demand in Europe stabilized and increased by 1% in the quarter. The UK and Germany showed particular strength, while the Russian market declined sharply. Excluding Russia, the market grew by 4%. The European market for appliances is expected to grow by 1-2% in 2015.
Electrolux operations in North America continued to be negatively impacted by the transition of the product ranges within refrigeration and freezers. This transition is a consequence of the new energy requirements imposed during the second half of 2014. Earnings were also affected by the ramp up of the cooking plant in Memphis, which has been slower than anticipated. A program to restore profitability and increase efficiencies in production is under way. It will require most of 2015 before actions taken will show full effect. We expect full-year market growth in North America to be towards the lower end of the previously communicated range of 3-5%. Besides, the market environment in Latin America has been challenging. Demand for appliances deteriorated in the quarter, which also affected our sales volumes. However, continued price increases in combination with cost savings largely mitigated the deterioration in the market. Although the quarterly results were weaker compared with a year ago, our organization in Latin America has been well prepared to take timely actions. The macro-economic outlook for the region has weakened in the past few months, particularly for Brazil, and market growth for appliances remains uncertain.
As regards to Asia Pacific, earnings in this area improved, driven by higher sales volumes in Southeast Asia and Australia, and increased cost efficiency. The integration of the recently acquired business BeefEater, an Australian barbecue producer, has proceeded well”.
Keith McLoughlin also spoke about GE. “The preparation work for the integration of GE Appliances is progressing well and according to plan. In addition to synergies of USD 300 million that were initially communicated, we have identified further synergies of USD 50 million, mainly within purchasing. We anticipate that a closure of the acquisition will be completed during the year. The acquisition is expected to strongly contribute to the achievement of the Electrolux vision of being the best appliance company in the world as measured by our customers, employees and shareholders”.
