Premium Beauty News - This is a historic year for the entire Faber-Castell group. An anniversary occurring at a time when the performances seem to be outstanding?
Stefano Castelletti - In the traditionally low first 5 months of the current business year 2010/11, all regions succeeded in recording double-digit sales growth. Europe/North America improved due in particular to the good start in Germany, Italy and the USA by +15% (currency adjusted by +14%), and Latin America and Asia/Pacific grew in each case by +37% (currency adjusted by +14%).
In the field of competence Premium, it appears that in particular the crisis-related reluctance of consumers to buy luxury products is declining, resulting to date in significant growth of +24%.
The “Playing and Learning” field of competence was able to record similarly positive trends. With an increase of +26% compared with the prior year period, the product range for children of three years and older once again proved to be an important pillar of the global marketing. The worldwide cosmetics business also developed encouragingly with growth of +26%.
The company continues to see great growth potential especially in Asia, and will also concentrate in future on the development of the “Playing and Learning” and “Premium” (high quality writing implements and accessories for demanding consumers) fields of competence.
Our board chairman, Count A.W. Faber-Castell forecasts that we will achieve sales of EUR 500 million in the current business year, naturally accompanied by a further improvement in our profitability. He also likes to repeat a maxim that will continue to apply for the successful accomplishment of the next decade: “We want to do ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
Premium Beauty News - What does the "cosmetic" activity currently account for in the Group’s activities?
Stefano Castelletti - The Faber-Castell company was founded in 1761 and from the mid-19th century developed into the world’s premier manufacturer of wood-cased pencils, both graphite and colour. In 1978 the company extended its range and transferred its know-how from the field of wood-cased pencils to a new line of business: colour cosmetics.
Today Faber-Castell Cosmetics is one of the leading private-label cosmetic manufacturers for the international beauty industry. Still family-owned in the 8th generation, this year marks the 250th anniversary of Faber-Castell.
By now, the production of cosmetic products has earned a dominating share within the manufacturing facilities in the Faber-Castell group. The objective is to become the second pillar for the Faber-Castell group world-wide, contributing a representative share to the consolidated benefit and becoming the premier global supplier of cosmetic pencils, liquid systems and nail care applications.
Premium Beauty News - You will be celebrating history and therefore past years... As for the future, what is your insight? Especially concerning the cosmetic segment.
Stefano Castelletti - The cosmetic market offers a good growth potential for new and existing products as well as markets. We will continuously adapt our strategies and organisation to make best use of the growth opportunities.
Premium Beauty News - The cosmetic pencil is constantly evolving, with many. innovations. At the same time, it is increasingly challenged by other kind of applicators. What makes you confident in the development of Faber-Castell Cosmetics in the course of the next ten years?
Stefano Castelletti - With Faber-Castell’s background, assets and specialisations we are confident to continue developing and offering technologies, services and products.
Like a lipstick, the pencil itself established as classic standard product for every make-up range. Even though, this does not mean that it cannot be enhanced in every aspect from development, production and decoration technology – what we constantly do. And when we look at future make-up trends and new techniques we see many benefits in pencil type application.
