Consolidated group turnover for the Curver Rubbermaid Group – Germany: Curver Kunststoff GmbH und Rubbermaid GmbH oHG (An der Trift 63, D-63303 Dreieich) – was maintained at last year's level. The company claims to be the leading European manufacturer of plastic household and kitchen containers, and 1993 was described as a year of consolidation with steadily increasing turnover. Germany was the largest market, ahead of France and the Benelux countries, although no statistics were given for each country. The 8% turnover increase in Germany resulted from raised demand for waste containers and the introduction of new storage, leisure and do-it-yourself products. Sales were in line with plan. The bath range was discontinued in 1993. This year, good growth prospects are forseen in the do-it-yourself appliance market, and continuing bouyant demand is expected for household and kitchen storage containers.

Curver Rubbermaid presented a number of novelties at the consumer goods fair "Ambiente 94" (February 17-23 in Frankfurt). In addition to a series of cosmetic boxes and jewelry caskets, presented for the first time, the company exhibited a multi-functional workbench and dustproof boxes for the home worker, as well as improved waste collection and seperation systems. A tool stool and the double pedal operated bin "Duo Pedal Bin" received awards in the competition "Products of the Year 1994" organised by the Fachverband Kunststoff-Konsumwaren im GKV (Am Hauptbahnhof 12, D-60329 Frankfurt). In planning to achieve 25% of turnover from products less than three years old, Curver Rubbermaid is also pushing for above-average growth rates for these new products in 1994.

READER SERVICE: Information file of new Curver Rubbermaid products launched at "Ambiente", including pictures (in German): PIE-No. 35640.