Europlast launched a new Rainwater Untrapper which has already shown good results, and also introduced ranges of
• A range of heavy duty drainage channels for commercial and industrial applications.
trim profiles from Marley Hungary and of surface drainage
• A 1-metre long, 130mm surface drainage channel.
made by Nicoll. At the end of the year, Nicoll Italy launched
• A number of new ventilation product ranges.
a new line of hot & cold water pipes and fittings, sales of
The pattern of demand for building products in Poland was
which will commence in 2005.
distorted by an increase in the rate of VAT that coincided
In France, Nicoll’s performance reflected only a modest
with Poland’s accession to the EU on 1 May. Strong demand
increase in domestic sales, but a strong export sales
in the first half of the year was offset by weaker demand in
performance both to other Group companies and to third
the second half, and raw material price increases together
parties. Rainwater sales were constrained by the increasingly
with the strong zloty put pressure on margins. Poliplast
difficult market, despite the good progress made by the
launched new channel drainage, soil & waste and sanitary
new Ovation system. The combined adverse impact of the
products, making its portfolio more attractive to builders’
pressure on selling prices and higher raw material costs
and sanitary merchants, specifiers and installers.
was partially offset by productivity gains and more effective
Pressure on public finances in Hungary had a negative
procurement. Export sales, notably of rainwater products
impact on the building industry and competition remained
and channel drainage, were particularly strong in Eastern
aggressive especially in profiles, channel drainage and
Europe.
sanitary products. Marley Magyarország intensified its
New products introduced by Nicoll during the year
efforts to improve its competitiveness and also launched a
included:
number of products made by sister companies, including
The new infra-red automatic WC flushing module launched by Sanit (Germany) is used with concealed cisterns in various commercial applications
The Friatherm uni® universal system for both drinking water and heating applications from Friatec (Germany)
Friatec’s new Friatherm multi pipeline system for sanitary and heating applications, to be launched in early 2005, combines the benefits of a flexible multi-layer pipe with both push-fit and press-fit technology for easy installation
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